Statement from Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. Regarding New York Lawsuit Against Federal Government Over Unfair Fluke Quota
Today, Governor Cuomo and Attorney General Letitia James announced that New York has initiated a lawsuit against the federal government challenging the unfair quota allocated to New York's commercial fluke (summer flounder) fishery. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, New York is seeking a revised allocation to give New York's commercial fishermen and women an equitable share based on current data about the fishery. This litigation is in response to the adoption of federal regulations on December 17, which established state allocations for the 2019 fishing year that were based on 40-year-old fisheries data.1 I have long opposed the inadequate quota system that has stunted the growth of New York’s commercial fishing industry by unfairly discriminating against New York fishermen to the benefit of other states, and I am pleased with the decision of the Governor, Attorney General, and involved State agencies to stand up to the federal government on behalf of New York’s fishermen.
State fishing quotas created by the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service are based on old, incomplete and faulty information and data. As a result, New York's fishing quotas for several fish species are much lower than neighboring states, discriminating against New York fisherman. This discriminatory system has resulted in unwarranted economic harm and job losses, especially on Long Island, which is home to New York's biggest fishing ports.
Senator LaValle and I have carried legislation that would have direct the State Attorney General to bring any and all legal actions against the National Marine Fisheries Services or any other federal or interstate agency challenging these existing inequitable fishing quotas, which discriminate against New York state commercial fishermen. Additionally, in a public comment period that ended on October 12, I, and various other stakeholders, called on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission for the negotiation of new state quota shares of summer flounder.
I commend the Governor, Attorney General, and involved State agencies for their action, and implore the federal government to correct this injustice that has plagued the New York State commercial fishing industry for far too long.
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