Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage weakfish

New York extends weakfish rulemaking authority

Effective immediately, the law extends New York’s environmental agency’s authority to manage weakfish from December 31, 2025, through December 31, 2028. Rules can cover fish size, catch and possession limits, seasons, closed areas, and fishing and landing methods. They can also cover permits and eligibility, records, fishing effort, gear, transportation, and sales. Rules must be at least as strict as state environmental law. They must also follow applicable Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and federal fishery management plans. The law extends rulemaking authority; it does not itself set new fishing limits.