Commercial fisherman Mr. John Mihale had requested that the Council look into his complaint of the illegal sale of fish caught by individuals not possessing a commercial foodfish license, considered to be a growing problem by many.   Mr. Mihale suggested two remedies:  1) a sticker/emblem to be placed and clearly visible on vessels engaged in bona fide commercial fishing and/or 2) prohibition of keeping foodfish on board in a live well excepting, presumably, any vessel displaying said sticker/emblem.  Mr. Mihale contended that most of the fish being caught, retained and illegal sold by unlicensed anglers enter the live fish market. 

 Several Councilors expressed opposition to a blanket ban on a prohibition against keeping certain species of finfish alive on board in a live well.  Anglers often keep fish in a live well to the end of a trip to help preserve their quality and also to allow their release alive if a larger specimen of that species is subsequently caught.  Councilor Jordan opposed a general ban on the use of live wells, but said he would support a prohibition on keeping certain species in live wells.

Captain Richard Otterstedt of DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement said that the best way to curtail the illegal sale of fish is to promote greater assistance from the public to law enforcement agencies and efforts.  If each person who either saw or knew of an illegal activity, would contact an enforcement agency, that would be the biggest deterrent of all. 

Capt. Dennis Kanyuk of The United Boatmen supported a prohibition on the use of live wells.  It is his observation that most live well use is by anglers intending to subsequently sell their catch.  A ban on using live wells will inconvenience some legitimate anglers, but it will help the legitimate commercial fisherman and also solve a thorny law enforcement problem.

Councilor McBride made the motion that the Council recommend to DEC that it design and implement commercial fishing vessel sticker program; said sticker to be placed in a clearly visible location on all commercial fishing vessels. 

Mr. McBride’s motion was adopted by a vote of 7 in favor; 1 opposed; 4 abstentions.

 

Page last modified Monday, July 5, 2004 by George E. Carroll