by Ken Gall, New York Sea Grant
Originally published in New York's Seafood Council Newsletter Fall/Winter 1994 Volume 1, Number 4

Montauk is New York's largest fishing port. Located some 120 miles east of Manhattan on the eastern tip of the south shore of Long Island (which has been called the world's largest natural fishing pier), Montauk is strategically located near important fishing grounds. Fishing has been Montauk's chief industry since colonial times, and it continues to be an important part of its economy and traditions. Montauk's location, its large protected harbor on Lake Montauk, and its land based support services provide the essential elements necessary for New York's largest commercial and sport fishing fleets to thrive and prosper.

Montauk's commercial fishing fleet landed 12.3 million pounds of fish and shellfish worth $11.7 million in 1993. According to National Marine fisheries Service statistics, Montauk was the eighth largest port in the coastal states from Maine through Virginia in terms of the total value of fish and shellfish landings in 1993. For most of the past decade, annual commercial fishery landings in Montauk have averaged between 10 to 15 million pounds of fish and shellfish worth $ 10 to 15 million. Montauk, like other commercial fishing ports, has experienced periodic fluctuations in both the amount and value of its commercial landings over the past decade (see chart below).

Tilefish was the leading commercial species in 1993, and 2.2 million pounds of tilefish with a dockside value of $2.75 million were landed in Montauk that year. Other commercial species landed in Montauk whose 1993 dockside value exceeded $1 million include: squid, 3.6 million pounds with a value of $21.6 million; whiting, 4.3 million pounds worth $2.35 million at the dock; tuna (includes Bigeye, Yellowfin, and Giant Bluefin tuna), approximately 610,000 pounds with a dockside value over $2 million; and lobster, 364,500 pounds worth over $1.1 million. Other important species landed at Montauk include swordfish, fluke, cod, winter flounder, porgies, surf clams, bluefish, and butterfish.

The importance of various species to the total annual Montauk catch has varied from year to year. Tilefish has consistently been one of the most important species in terms of both volume and value landed in Montauk for the past decade. Smaller amounts of high value species like tuna, lobster, and swordfish have also been economically important to Montauk based commercial fishermen. Flatfish species like fluke (summer flounder), winter flounder, and yellowtail flounder were important for much of the past decade, but as stocks declined and conservation strategies were implemented their economic importance has also declined over the past several years. The Montauk fleet has re- directed fishing effort to catching species like squid and whiting. The amount of squid and whiting landed by commercial fishermen in Montauk has increased dramatically over the past decade. More squid and whiting were landed at Montauk than all other species combined in 1993, and these species ranked second and third respectively in terms of dockside value last year.

Shore side businesses provide pack out facilities and other supplies and services for local fishermen, and often either purchase some products for resale or coordinate consignment shipments to wholesale markets like the Fulton Fish Market in New York City. In Montauk there are four docks (two on each side of Lake Montauk) that provide off- loading facilities and other services for many of the commercial fishermen who land their catch there: Montauk Fish Dock, Gosman's Dock, Inlet Seafood, and Deep Water Seafood. In many cases the vessel, dock, and wholesaler have a long term business relationship and work together as an integrated economic unit. Three of these shore side facilities are privately owned businesses. Inlet Seafood is a fisherman's cooperative of 6 Montauk vessels. Other private facilities and a public town dock also provide dock space and services to Montauk commercial fishermen.

Montauk's commercial fishing fleet consists of several different kinds of vessels that utilize a variety of different types of gear to catch both near-shore and offshore species of fish and shellfish. To attempt to characterize Montauk's commercial fishing fleet, interviews were conducted with National Marine Fisheries Service staff and two commercial buyers familiar with the Montauk fleet. The following characterizations are primarily based on information provided by these sources.

Four to 5 tilefish longline vessels that average 75 feet in length regularly fish out of Montauk, and several tilefish longliners from New Jersey occasionally land their catch there. These vessels use longline gear which consists of "long lines" of baited hooks. Tilefish live in a very specific habitat in deep waters along the continental shelf. Tilefish vessels typically fish in these off shore waters year round, with peak fishing activity occurring from February to April. These vessels tend to be independently owned and employ an average of 8 individuals including the captain and crew. Tilefish are primarily sold in the Fulton Fish Market or to local seafood wholesalers.

A number of longline vessels fish offshore waters for large pelagic fish like tuna, swordfish, and occasionally shark. Industry estimates indicate that up to 8 tuna and swordfish longliners are based in Montauk, and approximately 25 to 30 transient non-New York based vessels that follow these large pelagic fish up and down the coast land their catch in Montauk at certain times of the year. The seasonal tuna fishery provides the most significant economic opportunities for commercial fishermen in the region, and a large portion of a fishermen's yearly income can be earned in a short period of time. One Montauk tuna buyer estimates that approximately 60% of the Bluefin tuna landed in Montauk is export quality, as is 30 to 40% of the Bigeye tuna, and 5 to 10% of the Yellowfin tuna. Most of the top quality tuna landed in Montauk is exported to Japan where it is sold for a premium for use as sushi. Industry and government estimates indicate that there are up to 5 tuna and swordfish buyers or dealers based in Montauk. Ten to 12 other New York companies regularly buy tuna and swordfish in Montauk as well as several out of state dealers. Local as well as foreign tuna buyers are a common sight at Montauk docks during the peak tuna season. Tuna like Bigeye, Yellowfin, and Albacore that are not sushi grade are generally sold fresh in both domestic and foreign markets. Tuna and swordfish longliners range in size from 45 to 70 feet, and typically employ four crew.

A number of trawlers who catch fish by towing conical shaped trawl nets also operate out of Montauk. Trawlers target a variety of different species at different times of the year. Industry and government estimates indicate that there are 35 to 40 trawlers based in Montauk, ant that 10 to 20 transient vessels have been packing out in Montauk in recent years. These trawlers range in size from 30 to 90 feet with smaller vessels primarily fishing close to shore while the larger vessels fish in offshore ocean waters. Offshore trawlers typically fish year round and modify or change their gear to fish for different species at different times of the year. The most important species caught by trawlers include squid, whiting, fluke and other flounders, porgies, and butterfish. Most trawlers pack out their catch at one of 4 docks or pack out facilities on Lake Montauk and sell their catch in the Fulton Fish Market in New York City or to local wholesalers. Montauk trawlers typically employ 3 to 4 individuals.

A number of lobster fishermen are also based in Montauk. Industry and government estimates indicate that between 10 to 15 lobster boats regularly land their catch in Montauk. These vessels range in size from 20 to 45 feet. Some of the larger lobster boats and several transient vessels who land their catch in Montauk set traps in open ocean waters near some of the off shore canyons. Smaller boats set their pots in coastal waters out to Block Island. Lobster boats typically employ a captain and one crewman, and much of the catch is sold locally.

Although there are a large number of baymen who earn their living catching fish and shellfish on the South Fork of Long Island, most of them land their catch and dock their boats at smaller harbors in the area at different times during the year. Estimates of the number of baymen who either dock their boat or land some or all of their catch in Montauk vary from between 5 to 20. These estimates include between I to 10 individuals who primarily catch shellfish like clams and scallops and who may also fish for crab, conch or eels at certain times of the year; I to 3 pot fishermen who fish for species like sea bass, blackfish, and porgies; I to 2 pound net fishermen; and 2 to 4 gillnetters who catch seasonal species like bluefish and striped bass. Because of the nature of these inshore fisheries, baymen often move from one area to another depending on the season and the species that they are targeting. As a result they may not be identified as part of the permanent fleet in a particular port like Montauk and estimates of the number of individuals in each fishery will vary.

1993 COMMERCIAL FISHERY LANDINGS

The national Marine Fisheries Service recently released commercial fishery landings figures by species for 1993. The following graphs show the top twelve species by volume or total pounds landed by commercial fishermen in the New England and Mid-Atlantic states in 1992 and 1993. The New England states include New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The Mid-Atlantic states include New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Figures for 1992 are given to provide an indication of short term trends for each species. Landing figures for other commercial species are available from NMFS, Sea Grant, or other public or private groups that keep NMFS statistics on file.

Hook and line fishermen are also a significant part of the fishing activity that is based in the port of Montauk. Unofficial estimates indicate that a large number of individuals who catch fish by hook and line have a New York commercial fishing license, and sell the fish they catch during a portion of the year in the port of Montauk. Sport fishing is an important part of the economy of Montauk which has been touted by local groups as "The Sport Fishing Capital of the World". Because of it's location, Montauk is considered the gateway to offshore fishing grounds and charter boats are positioned to deliver high quality big game fishing experiences for tuna,- shark, and billfish as well as for species like cod, flounder, bluefish and striped bass. It has been estimated that there are 65 to 75 full time charter vessels operating out of the port of Montauk and between 5 to 7 party boats. The local charter boat association has estimated that Montauk's charter fleet conducts some 65,000 angler trips per year.

Montauk is a large and diverse fishing port that is important to the economy and traditions of Long Island and the rest of New York state. Its unique location near important offshore fishing grounds, its proximity to the largest consumer marketplace in the country, and its proven ability to adapt to changing resources and economic conditions should enable it to remain an important commercial fishing port into the 21st century.