New York Assembly Bill A11377

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

Caption

Extends provisions related to the regulation of the amount of Jonah crabs that may be taken

Summary

This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to extend the Department of Environmental Conservation’s authority to regulate the amount of Jonah crabs that may be taken for commercial purposes. Under current law, that authority was set to expire on December 31, 2026; the bill extends the sunset date to December 31, 2028. The regulation applies to commercial crab permit holders and holders of New York commercial lobster licenses who take Jonah crabs commercially. The bill also requires that any regulations adopted under this authority remain consistent with applicable fishery management plans of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and with federal fishery management plans under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The measure takes effect immediately, preserving the state’s ability to manage Jonah crab harvest limits without interruption.

Impact

The bill changes New York environmental law by extending a temporary regulatory authority in ECL section 13-0331, subdivision 1-a, for two additional years. It does not create a new program or change the underlying species protections, but it keeps in place the state’s ability to set commercial harvest limits for Jonah crabs through regulation. The affected parties are commercial crab permit holders and commercial lobster license holders, as well as the Department of Environmental Conservation, which would continue to administer the limits.

Sentiment

The available record suggests the bill was noncontroversial and procedural in nature. There are no committee transcript excerpts or recorded votes showing opposition, and the bill advanced to passage in the Senate. The overall sentiment appears supportive of maintaining existing fishery management authority and avoiding a lapse in regulatory oversight.

Contention

No specific points of contention are reflected in the provided materials. Because the bill simply extends an existing sunset date, any debate would likely center on the need for continued harvest regulation, the duration of the extension, and the balance between conservation goals and commercial fishing interests. However, the record provided does not show any expressed objections or competing positions.