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New York Metropolitan Region and New Jersey
Freshwater Mussel Identification Handbook
Collecting Permits Before collecting freshwater mussels in the metro area and the tri-state region, the appropriate wildlife management agencies must be contacted to determine what restrictions exist and if collecting permits must be obtained. For your convenience, several often misunderstood rules are listed below for New York State; other states have rules that are similar. 1. It is illegal to collect living freshwater mussels in New York State without a scientific collector's permit 2. Additional state or federal endangered species permits are required to collect any protected species 3. Never collect freshwater mussels without knowledge of rarity status first 4. Collecting dead shells of endangered species violates the United States Endangered Species Act, and is a federal crime It is highly recommended that field workers contact the appropriate agencies to obtain written information on the current status and protections for individual species in each state, and on all existing restrictions on collecting. Current contact information for the appropriate state and federal agencies: Connecticut: Wildlife Division Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street Hartford, CT06106 (860)424-3011 New Jersey: Endangered and Nongame Species Program New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife P.O. Box 400 Trenton, NJ 08625-0400 (609) 292-9400 New York: Special License Unit New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-4752 (518)402-8985 Federal (regional office): Special License Unit New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-4752 (518)402-8985 |