Mr. Colvin described several issues that the Department might seek to bring before the State legislature in the upcoming session. 

1. Take action to implement a minimum of the interstate fishery management plan for lobster in Lobster Conservation Management Area 6, Long Island Sound.   DEC will probably put forward a bill giving the agency full regulatory authority over lobsters, because it won’t be known until sometime into calendar year 2005 what specific actions, if any, are required to comply with the management plan pending the updated stock assessment.
   
2. Provide more flexibility than the present law affords with respect to bay scallop season openings and closings and, possibly, harvest limits.
   
3. Establish possession and size limit for oysters.  Size limits may vary for different towns because of different needs.

Councilor Davi stated his opposition to giving DEC regulatory control over lobsters and that he thought the Council had opposed such action during the previous legislative session.  Chairman Wise responded that the Council has gone on the record several times over the years in favor of giving DEC regulatory authority over lobsters.

 

Page last modified Sunday, January 9, 2005 by George E. Carroll