DEC Announces New State Marine Fishing Records for Bonito and Sheepshead

For Release: Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Fall 2020 Catches at Atlantic Beach Reef and Reynolds Channel Set New Records

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced new state records for Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) and sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) in the marine and coastal district waters of New York. Both catches took place in 2020 and were recently confirmed by DEC as record-breakers. The bonito was caught off of the State’s Atlantic Beach Artificial Reef and the sheepshead was caught in Reynolds Channel.

“From the Atlantic Ocean to coastal bays and tidal rivers, New York’s marine waters offer exceptional saltwater fishing opportunities and I’m excited to congratulate Matthew Kessinger and James Torborg for setting these new State records for bonito and sheepshead,” Commissioner Seggos said. “It is particularly exciting that the record bonito was caught off one of New York’s recently expanded artificial…