ECOs on Long Island’s South Shore recently conducted enforcement details focused on marine fishing regulations to ensure the protection of 24 vulnerable shark species in New York waters. Officers issued a total of 10 tickets and four warnings to six individuals from July 25 to August 1. The subjects were charged with offenses including the prohibited deployment of baited hooks from shore, failure to possess a marine registry, as required, and failure to keep sharks submerged. It is unlawful in New York State for a recreational angler to remove any shark from the water unless they intend to legally harvest and possess it. Anglers are required to release prohibited species without undue harm and are prohibited from engaging in any activities which may decrease the shark’s probability of survival. All tickets are returnable to Nassau and Suffolk First District courts. Anglers with a valid New York State Recreational Marine Fishing Registry are permitted to catch and release or keep non-prohibited shark species in State waters. Anglers must follow shark fishing regulations and must adhere to all minimum size requirements and possession limits for harvested sharks.
