What's happening
This bill extends the state's authority to manage Atlantic herring until December 31, 2029.
Why it matters
Continues state-level management. of Atlantic herring fisheries, impacting commercial and recreational fishers along New York’s Atlantic coast, particularly in Long Island and the Hudson River region.
Allows the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to set rules and limits. for catching Atlantic herring, which could affect local fishing economies and conservation efforts by helping prevent overfishing and ensuring sustainable fish populations.
Extends an existing regulatory framework. rather than creating a new one, providing stability for stakeholders but also delaying reconsideration of herring management approaches until at least 2029.
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Who cares
Commercial and Recreational Fishermen
Those who fish for Atlantic herring, either for profit or sport, are directly impacted by regulations and management practices extended under this legislation.
Seafood Processors and Distributors
Businesses involved in buying, processing, or selling Atlantic herring care about the continued management authority, as it affects supply and long-term sustainability.
Environmental and Conservation Organizations
Groups focused on marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management support regulatory oversight to prevent overfishing and protect marine ecosystems.
State Environmental Agencies
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation and related agencies are stakeholders, as the bill extends their authority and responsibilities to manage Atlantic herring stocks.
Headline styles
Extend Herring Management Authority
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.223
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.207
- Substituted for A11441
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.951
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Extend Herring Management Powers
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Jo Anne Simon
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10039
IN SENATE
April 24, 2026
Introduced by Sen. MARTINEZ -- (at request of the Department of Environmental Conservation) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to extending the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage Atlantic herring
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph d of subdivision 1 of section 13-0339-a of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 340 of the laws of 2023, is amended to read as follows:
d. Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) until December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-six] twenty-nine,
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15002-01-6
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to extending the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage Atlantic herring
Purpose of the bill
The purpose of this bill is to extend the authority of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to manage Atlantic herring.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) § 13-0339-a(1)(d) to extend, until December 31, 2029, DEC's authority to fix by regulation measures for the management of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus).
Section 2 of this bill provides that the bill shall take effect imme- diately.
Justification
DEC's regulatory authority for Atlantic herring is necessary to preserve the current regulatory program. Failure to extend the existing regulato- ry authority by December 31, 2026 will result in the loss of regulatory protection for these species.
This bill would extend DEC's regulatory authority for Atlantic herring for an additional three years, and ensure that DEC continues to be able to maintain compliance with any applicable federal management plan or Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). ECL § 13-0105, which sets forth the marine fisheries conservation and management policy, provides that one of the State's objectives shall be that the management of the State's transboundary and migratory species shall be consistent with any inter- jurisdictional management plans, interstate or state-federal. Moreover, failure to make necessary regulatory changes as may be required by an applicable FMP could result in the closure of New York's fishery for that species.
Prior legislative history
DEC's authority was last extended by Chapter 340 of the Laws of 2023.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.