Mr. Gordon Colvin, DEC's Director of Marine Resources, informed the Council that several bills have recently been introduced into the State Legislature that would extend DEC's regulatory authority over marine fish and shellfish.  He noted that these bills extend these authorities for another 4 years, while the DEC program bill that the Council had previously endorsed extended these authorities indefinitely.  Otherwise, the provisions of these regulatory authority extender bills are identical to those of the DEC program bill.

The Council directed Chairman Wise to contact the Legislature in support of these several bills.  In supporting Assembly Bill A08215, the Council directed Mr. Wise to encourage the sponsor to revise the bills as written to incorporate a provision that makes the Marine and Coastal District Charter and Party Boat Operators License transferable to the same extent as commercial foodfish and crabbing licenses.

S05494 – Authorizes the taking of surf clams or ocean quahogs by mechanical means from the Atlentic Ocean for commercial purposes if the vessel is 90 feet in length or less.

This bill deals with the size allowance for a surfclam vessel.  Presently there is a 70’ maximum and the bill would change it to 90’.  Chairman Wise reminded the Council that, last year, it voted to endorse the then-recommendation of the Surfclam/Ocean Quahog Management Advisory Board on this issue, which as to set the maximum vessel length allowed in the surfclam fleet at the length of the largest vessel presently in that fleet (80.5'). 

Councilor John Davi made a motion for the Council to oppose S05494, as written and to suggest to the sponsor that it be revised to reflect the above recommendation.  Councilor Yaxa seconded.  Mr. Davi's motion was adopted by a vote on 10 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstention.

S5087 – Exempts bay scallops that are cultivated by holders of an on/off bottom permit from the harvest restrictions promulgated for wild bay scallops.

This bill deals with the fact that, currently, New York is the only state in the region that won’t allow farmed bay scallops to be sold except in compliance with minimum size and closed season restrictions established to govern the harvest of wild bay scallops.  Shellfish farmers would like to be able to grow bay scallops and be able to sell them at the end of the season.  Bay scallops only live for two 2 years but, under current restrictions, they must be held for at least 18 months before they reach the current 1" minimum size limit.  New York laws put New York growers at a disadvantage with growers in other states in marketing bay scallops.

Mr. Colvin observed that, should their departmental bill that authorizes regulatory authority over bay scallops be enacted, that authority, in conjunction with the Department's permanent authority to regulate aquaculture, would permit DEC to address this issue through regulation.

 

 

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