Statewide - 2026 Atlantic Ocean Surfclam Annual Harvest Limit

Public Notice

Pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law Section 13-0309 and Subpart 43-2 of Title 6 of the New York Codes Rules and Regulations, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) hereby gives notice of the following:

The Department is proposing to establish the 2026 annual harvest limit for surfclams taken by mechanical means from the certified waters of the Atlantic Ocean at 184,558 industry standard bushels, which would maintain the level of harvest (total allowable catch) that was established from 2016 to 2025.

The number of vessels harvesting surfclams from the Atlantic Ocean and the percentage of the annual harvest limit taken by the surfclam fishery has been steadily declining. The level of harvest is low enough that the Department does not see a need to reduce the annual harvest limit. Without more recent population and surfclam resource information, maintaining the annual harvest limit is necessary in order to protect the long-term sustainability of the resource and economic viability of the surfclam fishery. The Department will announce the annual harvest limit for 2026 no later than November 15 for an effective date of January 1 after taking into consideration public comment and any other relevant fishery related information.

Written comments on the proposed 2026 Atlantic Ocean surfclam annual harvest limit will be accepted by mail, email, or fax to the contact below until close of business Wednesday, October 1, 2025.