Chairman Wise informed the Council that this would be its final meeting with Mr. Gordon Colvin sitting as the Department's Director of Marine Resources.  After a career with DEC spanning nearly 40 years, 25 of them as the agency's Director of Marine Resources, Mr. Colvin was retiring from State service to take a job with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 

Mr. Colvin then spoke to the Council, expressing his appreciation for the Council's assistance to the Department in carrying out its marine resource management mandate and responsibilities over the past near-20 years.   He wanted to share his perspectives with regard to the origin and the achievements of the Marine Resources Advisory Council since its inception.  In 1983, striped bass management issues became the wellspring for the Council when controversial legislation was developed that stipulated a minimum size limit of 24” for this popular species and authorized DEC to adopt other management measures through regulation.  The sponsor of that legislation in the New York State Assembly was Patrick Halpin, who at the time served on the Environmental Conservation Committee.  Once the striped bass issue was settled, and because of conditions pertaining to the federal Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act and the growth of the Interstate Fisheries Management Program of ASMFC, the Department sought the authority to develop and implement management regulations for many different marine fisheries the same way it had for striped bass.  Assemblyman Halpin felt strongly that the Legislature would not give the Department broad regulatory authority without having some kind of sounding board; a structured way for marine fishery stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns.  Legislation was subsequently enacted that created the Marine Resources Advisory Council; additional legislation established a process whereby the Council’s advice is solicited on pending fishery rule-making and the Department is held accountable for handling the Council's advice in the regulatory process.  The process is for DEC to seek preliminary advice from the Council very early in the regulatory process, and again touch base with the Council for more formal input when a specific proposed regulation has been developed and to respond appropriately once that advice is rendered.  In particular, DEC must explain in writing any time it adopts a rule that is contrary to the Council’s advice.  Mr. Colvin noted that, over the past 19 years of the Council's operation, this had occurred on very few occasions and he viewed this as a great accomplishment and a measure of value the Department places on the Council.

Mr. Colvin brought to everyone’s attention the Council’s efforts at various times over the years to address the need to set limitations on eligibility for commercial fishing licenses and permits.  The Department could adopt harvest regulations and regulate fishing mortality on its own simply by "following the numbers" and doing it technically.  What the Council brings is the human effect such as who would benefit and suffer from the consequences.  The Council has been instrumental in working with DEC to frame the original license limitations measures and, once these were enshrined in state law, to periodically work together with the commercial fishing industry to have these laws revised and re-enacted. 

Mr. Colvin commented that he never took the Council for granted and that he and the Department are very grateful for the time that the present councilors and their predecessors have generously donated toward this entire process.  Together, they have ensured that the first priority was the health of the State's marine resources.  The use of the resources was important and the users are important, but the long-term top priority was the resource.  Mr. Colvin stated that he has no regrets for any of the decisions that have been made and he leaves DEC with deep admiration for all the Council has done and will continue to do.

After Mr. Colvin closed, members of the Council and the audience spoke of their admiration and respect for how he had handled himself as the point person at DEC for marine management issues for so many years.  Collectively, they thanked Mr. Colvin for his work and the impact it has had on marine resource management in New York and throughout the East Coast.  All wished him the very best as he moves on to his new employment with the federal government.

 

Page last modified Tuesday, June 26, 2007 by George E. Carroll