This report was prepared for the Hudson River Valley Commission by the Division of Fish and Game of the New York State Conservation Department. It is one of a number of study reports that were used by the Commission in formulating the recommendations to the Governor and the State Legislature which were embodied in its Summary Report of February 1, 1966.

At the time of its first settlement by Europeans, the Hudson River Valley was notably rich in fish and wildlife resources. Several early chroniclers described its abundance of game animals and fish, especially the immense beds of shellfish in the lower Hudson. Under the impact of civilization, these resources have dwindled and some species have disappeared entirely in this area.

Over the years, State fish and game management programs have enabled many species to survive in the Valley, but these efforts have been increasingly limited by development pressures on hunting lands and by encroachments on wetlands and small watercourses.

Commercial fishing on the Hudson has been virtually wiped out by pollution. However, with the abatement of pollution in the Hudson through the State's Pure Waters program, there is an excellent chance for the restoration of large-scale commercial fishing on the Hudson. The report suggests the restoration of oyster seed beds in Haverstraw Bay, an idea that was unthinkable one or two years ago.

The following pages review the history of the Valley's fish and wildlife resources and programs for their preservation and management. In addition, the report includes two detailed appendices on commercial fisheries. The first deals with anadromous fish, a group that includes shad; the second concerns shellfish.

We believe the data presented in this report will clarify the status of fish and wildlife in the Hudson Valley and will serve to indicate its potential role as a recreational and commercial resource.

[ Table of Contents | next ]