The 15 April 1999 meeting of the Marine Resources Advisory Council will be devoted to review and comment on marine fishery and related legislative proposals currently pending before the New York State Legislature. As of the publication date of this bulletin, the following bills/proposals will be discussed:

• Assembly 2033, Connelly et.al., prohibits disposal in NYS Marine District of dredged material containing toxicants
• Senate 1633/Assembly 2840, Lavalle/Thiele, exemption of motor fuels tax for commercial fishermen
• Assembly 1143, Brodsky, directs DEC to study net materials used in marine fisheries and sets minimum mesh size of 4.5" in gill & trammel nets
• Assembly 1142, Brosdky et. al., prohibits DEC from approving or implementing any fishery management plan allowing the transfer of fishing licenses
• Assembly 2527, Tocci/Brosdky, prohibits disturbing/damaging commercial fishing gear & taking fish from said gear; increases penalties
• Assembly 4792, Mazzarelli, limits circumstances under which DEC can revoke or suspend a commercial shellfish diggers or lobster license
• Senate 1234/Assembly 2032, Marchi/Connelly, prohibits the use of haul seines greater than 300’ in length
• Assembly 1930, Sweeney, sets additional regulations for use of commercial gill nets, revises seasons of legal use of commercial gill nets in Great South Bay, gives DEC additional regulatory authority over gill net use
• Assembly 6126, Sweeney, sets new season for use of commercial gill nets in Great South Bay
• Senate 2952, Holland, bans use of lead split-shot sinkers
• Assembly 6044, Sweeney/Harenberg, requires a bait dealers license to sell bait for use in New York’s Marine District + supplementary provisions
• Assembly 1141, Brodsky/Tonko, regulatory authority for DEC over scup (porgy) and black sea bass
• Senate 1747/Assembly 3021, LaValle/Thiele, amends town law with respect to taking of shellfish
• Assembly 5090, Englebright, extends commercial trawl exclusion zone in Long Island Sound to enlarge "essential fish habitat protection zone."

• DEC Program Bill #21R-99, amends ECL in relation to special management areas for marine resources and to the taking of shellfish and crabs
• DEC Program Bill #22R-99, DEC regulatory authority over crabs, horseshoe crabs, and several species of marine finfish
• DEC Program Bill #25-99, protects the nets and gear of commercial foodfish license holders from theft, damage, or removal and increases monetary penalties for illegal taking of saltwater fish, shellfish, and crustaceans
• DEC Program Bill #26-99, restricts possession and sale of marine species that are undersized, out-of-season, etc., regardless of whether the fish were harvested in New York’s marine waters or elsewhere
• DEC Program Bill #27-99, establishes provisions for commercial fishing license limitation, issuance, etc. to succeed the moratorium presently in place, which expires 01 July 1999.

For last-minute additions to the above list, check the Marine Resources Advisory Council Web Page (see below) before coming to the 15 April 1999 Council meeting.

For further information about the Marine Resources Advisory Council or items covered in this Bulletin, to make arrangements for addressing the Council or submitting written comments on an agenda item, or to suggest an agenda item, contact: William M. Wise, Chairman, Marine Resources Advisory Council; phone 516/632-8656; FAX 516/632-9441; email wwise@notes.cc.sunysb.edu.