Mr. Wise stated that he had recently communicated to the Legislature the Council’s recommendation that the commercial fishing licensing law should be amended this session to reinstate the transferability of foodfish and lobster licenses to members of a licensee’s immediate family. This provision had been dropped from the law when the commercial licensing section had been renewed following its expiration last year. He stated that he had been contacted by staff members in both the Assembly and the Senate following up on his letter to the chairmen of the environmental conservation committees in the Assembly and Senate. The Legislature appeared to be sensitive to this issue. Mr. Wise advised the Council and others interested in maintaining the family aspect of the state’s commercial fishing industry to closely follow the Legislature’s action on this matter.

Councilor McBride said that, several years ago. The Council had recommended capping the number of new charter and party boat licenses, but this too had not been included in legislation. Mr. Gordon responded that the DEC had proposed such a cap, but the Assembly had had absolutely no interest in the bill at the time.