Councilor Sullivan inquired about the definition of "commercial" versus "recreational" representation on the Council. Who determined whether a specific individual was an appropriate representative of either group? He cited the example of the New York Fish Tackle Trades Association, a group made up primarily of bait & tackle manufacturers, dealers, and retail bait shops, asking if a representative from such a group should properly occupy a recreational seat on the Council, rather than one of the seats designated for a commercial fishery representative.

Mr. Wise explained that no organization had a designated seat set aside on the Council; the State Legislature and the Commissioner of DEC identified individuals who, in their judgment, met the standards for Councilors stated in the Council’s originating legislation. He said that he had recently heard from other Councilors privately asking this same question. It was agreed by consensus that a broader discussion on this issue would be put on the agenda of the Council’s September 2000 meeting.