|
When I was
contacted by Senator Charles Schumer’s office
regarding the “fluke problem,” I was excited
about the possibility that this politician was
the first to step forward to investigate the
major concern of New York anglers. I knew only
some changes at the Federal level with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act can help us. What better
way to start then to have a U.S. Senator from
New York demonstrates his interest? I supplied
the Senator with some background information two
days before the press conference. In front of
Scotty’s Fishing Station in Point Lookout,
Senator Schumer demonstrated a complete and
thorough understanding of all the problems
related to the fisheries management of summer
flounder. He recognized the very negative
economic impact this management system is having
on Long Island, especially for bait and tackle
shops, marinas and charter and party boats. He
stated that “These fluke regulations defy
reason. Long Island fishermen have no choice
but to buckle under the backbreaking pressure
being placed on them. If we don’t put a stop to
this now, fishing as we know it on Long Island
will be over”.
After identifying
the problem, he started to outline a plan to
target solutions. His office promised to stay
in contact with the federation and it has done
so. Together we started working on creating a
better distribution source to keep all of those
interested more informed |
|
Senator Schumer
sent a letter to the Administrator of the
National Ocean and Atmosphere Administration
asking the administration to reformulate the
regulations to build in flexibility and more
reasonable deadlines. In his letter, Senator
Schumer asked NOAA to
1) Reassess the
proposed 78% cut to the fluke quotas and explore
alternative methods to keep the fluke stock on
the road to recovery.
2) Allow for more
flexibility in the 10-year rebuilding request
that was incorporated into the 1996 Sustainable
Fisheries Act if it can be scientifically
demonstrated that over fishing is not
occurring. |
|
3) Require an annual analysis
of the cumulative socio-economic impact to a fishing
community when determining cutbacks, quotas and timelines.
4) Implement and adhere to
multi-year management plans to reflect an overage of fishing
quotas rather than attempt to offset annual fluctuations.
We all thank the Senator for
his continued support of our angling community.
Editors Note.
Directly related to the “Fluke” problem.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act is
currently up for renewal in the House of Representatives.
The United Boatmen has linked its website so your can e-mail
letters of concern directly to your representative in
Congress. Please go to:
www.unitedboatmennewyork.com and send an e-mail
to your representative it is the House of Representatives
version of this act that we need to have fine-tuned to allow
for some additional flexibility
Almost all the environmental
and conservation oriented organizations have pushed NMFS to
eliminate any flexibility in fisheries management plans.
They are counting on your apathy and lack of concern while
they shut you out. They are well organized and determined to
win regardless of economic or sociological impact. Unite
and Fight Back!!
|
NEW YORK ON CUTTING EDGE OF OCEAN POLICY |
GOVERNOR PATAKI SIGNS OCEANS,
ESTUARIES, AND GREAT LAKES BILL INTO LAW
On Wednesday August 9th,
2006, Governor Pataki visited Jones Beach to sign the New
York State Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act
into law. This groundbreaking legislation will shift the
state’s ocean policy to a more comprehensive,
ecosystem-based approach, rather than focusing on a
particular species or problem. The Governor and the NYS
Legislature have also allocated $3.3 million in funding to
the program through the Environmental Protection fund.
Members of the South Shore Estuary Council, including New
York Sportfishing Federation president Dennis Cataldo, were
invited to the ceremonial signing.
The legislation requires a
nine-member council to be formed. The council will ensure
inter-agency cooperation and be able to comprehensively
analyze any weakness or gaps where more information is
needed. The state will also launch 2 pilot projects, one in
the Great South Bay and one in Lake Ontario. Both projects
will apply an ecosystem-based approach to improve water
quality, increase important finfish and shellfish and
restore critical habitat.
The council has set five
dates for ecosystem based management dialogues to occur with
input from organizations like the New York Sportfishing
Federation
|
