The Draft Ocean Action Plan 2015-2025 prepared by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of State indicates "In 2011, commercial fishing industries landed more than 27 million pounds of finfish and shellfish worth $37.6 million, generated $5 billion in sales in local communities, contributed $1.8 billion to the gross state product, and supported 42,000 jobs. That same year, recreational anglers generated $369 million in sales, contributed $212 million to gross state product, and supported 3,000 jobs." The significant economic contribution of the state's fisheries occurs at a time when those fisheries are under significant stress. The Draft Ocean Action Plan 2015-2025 also indicates "Winter flounder, river herring, American shad, American lobster and American eel are all species historically abundant in New York waters that are currently experiencing extreme population lows."

The fisheries are managed at both the state and federal levels. For example, species quotas for certain species are established by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and others by the DEC. The DEC's authority to manage certain species by regulation, including the authority to set seasons, size and possession limits, is set to expire this year. There have been complaints about the quota allocations determined by ASMFC. The purpose of this hearing is to solicit comments on these and other fishery-management issues.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Steve Englebright

Member of Assembly
Chairman
Committee on Environmental Conservation

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Fishery Management are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: