U.S. Northeast Seaboard Regional Report

FEBRUARY
Last Call
Boating certificates are now required in New York State.
A quick reminder before the season gets rolling that a boating safety certificate is now required for anyone operating a motorized vessel in New York State. The law went into effect as of January 1st. The requirement is part of Brianna’s Law, which was passed in 2019 to improve boater safety.
Named after 11-year-old Brianna Lieneck, who died in a boating accident in 2005, the law required all operators of motorized boats born after 1978 to complete an appropriate boating safety course by January 1, 2024, and everyone else to get on board by January 1, 2025. Thus, a safety certificate showing course completion is now required to operate a motorboat for everyone, of any age, in New York State waters.
Once you complete the eight-hour course, you can have an anchor emblem added to your New York State driver’s license. To find an approved New York Safe Boating Course in your area, visit register-ed.com/programs/new_york/252-new-york-safe-boating-course.
At this point, all the coastal New England states have some form of boating safety certificate requirement for operating motorized vessels. Many are reciprocal with other states. Still, it’s a good idea to check the regulations ahead of time if you hope to step up to help outside of your local state waters.
The nonprofit BoatUS Foundation offers a no-cost online boating safety course at BoatUS.org/Free that is approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). The course can be taken in the comfort of your home and fits busy schedules, with course takers able to stop and return to lessons anytime. Funding to keep the course free comes mainly from generous donations by BoatUS members.
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ASMFC Leaves Striper Regs Unchanged for 2025
With the intent of rebuilding the currently depressed striped bass population along the East Coast by 2029, as per the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) plan for the species, the commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board met in December 2024 to consider its options. Some striper fans and stakeholders along the New England coast were worried that in an attempt to lessen mortality on the species, the board might vote for a “no-targeting closure” in which the stripers would be off-limits for 23-33 days during the 2025 season as the species has experienced poor recruitment in recent years. Others hoped for a pause in the bass fishing, reasoning it would be prudent to err on the side of caution for a species that has seen its population decline in recent years. After much debate, the board decided to leave things as they stand for now while more data on the 2024 season becomes available. So, for now, striper fishing is set to remain open along the coast for 2025.
Long Island’s Biggest Fishing Show Set for March 1st
The Ward Melville High School Fishing Club is set to host its 12th Annual Saltwater Fishing Expo and Fundraiser on Saturday, March 1st. Entrance is free to this expo. By far Long Island’s favorite fishing show, many anglers come as much to socialize as they do to see, sample, and buy both the latest in saltwater fishing gear and restock old favorites.
Featuring more than 150 vendors, free seminars with local experts, and more than 230 tables in the school’s gymnasium, cafeteria, and main entrance hallways, this is the event of the winter season for the local sportfishing community.
The one-day expo takes place at Ward Melville High School, 380 Old Town Road, East Setauket, New York. Doors open at 8:30AM. All proceeds from raffle tickets sold at the show go directly to support Ward Melville High School Fishing Club activities.
-by Tom Schlichter
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