The NMFS has had a long crusade to shut down the recreational fishing industry in NY. For decades, fluke (summer flounder) have been the mainstay of bottom fishing open boats for the summer season. NY and NJ boats often fish within yards of each other in the bight and lower NY Harbor, yet these are the rules NMFS has come up with;
NY,
Season is split; 5/15 - 6/15 and 7/3 - 8/17
Size - 21”
Daily limit - 2
NJ,
Season - 5/23 - 9/4
Size - 18”
Daily limit - 6
These rules depend on the port of the vessel, not the fishing grounds.
IMO, the NMFS is just a dumping ground for political patronage.
I forgot to add that the commercial size limit in NJ is 14”, not sure what it is in NY.