WATERTOWN — A new permitting and reporting system for black bass fishing tournaments in New York could help the state better manage its bass fisheries, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
DEC Commissioner Basil B. Seggos said in a statement Wednesday that requiring fishing tournament permits, at no cost, and launching a reporting system for black bass would identify the distribution and occurrence of tournaments.
“New York is a national destination for black bass fishing tournaments thanks to the quality of our bass fisheries,” Seggos said. “This proposal would require a free permit for bass tournaments and help fisheries managers better understand tournament activity in New York state, advancing efforts to ensure high quality black bass fishing opportunities for all anglers.”
The information received from the permit system would also help the DEC respond to user conflicts, overuse of fisheries and concerns about fishing populations in addition to the data being used by fisheries biologists to help further their understanding of black bass to improve management.
The proposal also calls for establishing a list of approved tournaments on the DEC’s website.
The plan would require free permits for black bass fishing tournaments held on or after Jan. 1, 2025, and would define a fishing tournament and a fishing tournament director.
Timeframes would be determined for permit applications, report submissions and DEC review.
The plan would also give the DEC the ability to implement conditions on tournaments.
The DEC is taking comments on the proposed regulation until June 10.
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