Long Island, NY - May 7, 2015 - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has formally adopted regulations to prohibit the harvest and landing of lobsters from Lobster Management Area (LMA) 4 from April 30 through May 31 each year. The regulations are the same as the emergency measures adopted on February 18, 2015 to revise the closed season dates for lobster harvest and landings from LMA 4, which includes the south shore of Long Island.
During the season closure, lobster permit holders who use lobster traps or pots may set unbaited lobster traps or pots one week prior to the end of the closed season. V-notching of egg-bearing females in LMA 4 is no longer required.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) American Lobster Management Board approved Addendum XVII to the American Lobster Fishery Management Plan (FMP) with the objective of decreasing lobster harvest in Southern New England by ten percent. This reduced harvest is expected to result in rebuilding the lobster population in this area. Addendum XVII contained measures for lobster conservation management areas (LCMAs) 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, included the revised the closed season dates in LMA 4.
The new rules are designed to meet the requirements of the management plan and keep New York's lobster fishery in compliance with coast-wide measures. For additional information about these revisions, contact DEC Marine Resources Division at 631-444-0444.