Mr. Wise reminded the Council that it has often heard that the harvest and sale of blackfish by persons without a state food fish license has reached epidemic proportions, especially in the waters around western Long Island.  Several commercial and "for hire" vessel operators in the audience reaffirmed this view, stated that the abundance of blackfish in their areas was rapidly declining, and called for decisive action.  Mr. Wise noted that another problem involving blackfish is the large number being caught in lobster gear, often beyond the 10 allowed in the regulations.  He noted that the DEC's proposal to institute a commercial fishing vessel sticker program to more readily identify whether or not a boat is engaged in legitimate commercial fishing activity was part of the solution but, in and of itself, it will not solve the problem of rampant illegal harvest and sale of blackfish.

Mr. Wise reminded the Council of its earlier discussion of the idea of banning the use of live wells on boats as a means to address this issue.  At the time, this suggestion met with strong opposition from some councilors, who say that many bona fide recreational fishermen like to keep their catch alive in a live well and do not selling them.  Some councilors stated that better enforcement against those purchasing these fish must be part of the solution; on the water enforcement is harder.  Other councilors and staff from DEC's Division of Law Enforcement disagreed, saying that on the water enforcement was more effective. 

Mr. John Mihale reiterated his earlier suggestion that there should be a prohibition of any live fish on a boat, perhaps specific to blackfish and, perhaps, black seabass.

Chairman Wise asked for volunteers from the Council to form a subcommittee to study this matter in greater depth, consult with all parties involved or potentially affected, and make recommendations to the Council on how this issue can be most effectively addressed.  The members of the subcommittee are Councilors Ferrera, Jordan, Melton and audience members John Mihale, William Marszialkiewicz and Michael Barnett.  Councilor Ferrera offered the use of the Sportfishing Education Center to hold the meetings.

 

Page last modified Friday, April 15, 2005 by George E. Carroll