Council

Robert Danielson has been a Senatorial appointed council member since 1996, representing the recreational fishing sector.

Bob is a very active member of the fishing community.  He has been a member of the NY Sport Fishing Federation Board of Directors since 1993 where he currently serves as Vice President. He is a member of the Farragut Striper Club and the Long Island Beach Buggy Association.

Bob’s earliest fishing recollection is fishing with his parents when he was five years old and his love for fishing has not waned since.

​Melissa Dearborn has been a Commissioner appointed Councilor for 15+ years and she represents the recreational fishing sector.

Melissa is Vice President of Regal Marine Products, Inc., a family operated wholesale fishing bait and tackle distributor based in Huntington that has been in business since 1986. She has also been involved with the New York Fishing Tackle Trade Association as a Director for close to 20 years.  On a daily basis, she is communicating the members of the recreational fishing community in, not just NY, but the Tri-State area.  The bait and tackle shops play an important role, providing a wealth of knowledge on our fisheries and fishermen as well as trends in fishing effort and the overall economic health of the recreational industry.

Melissa also Chairs the Marine and Coastal District of New York Conservation Education and Research Board, a small grants program supporting local projects.  Their mission is to “promote sport fishing, increase participation in recreational angling, increase public awareness and appreciation of aquatic natural resources, encourage conservation of fisheries resources, or promote research relating to the marine and coastal district of New York” (NYS ECL13-0501).

Vincent Finalborgo has been a Commissioner appointed Council member since 2017 where he represents the recreational fishing sector.

Vince was born and raised in Southampton, NY on the East End of Long Island. He loved boating and fishing from an early age and has been a recreational angler all his life. A retired special education teacher, he is a third-generation owner/operator of Catena’s meat and seafood market on Main Street in Southampton Village. His love of the water led him to join the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he has attained the rank of Cockswain. He has been a licensed charter boat captain for many years. He especially enjoys taking his three grandchildren fishing and is committed to protecting the area’s natural resources for future generations.

Joseph Paradiso has been a Commissioner appointed Council member since 2011 where he represents the recreational fishing sector.

Joe is a charter boat captain out of Greenport, NY where he owns and operates Eastern Long Island Sportfishing Charters, “Nautic Lady”, which he has run for almost 20 years. He, himself, is an avid angler, both surf and boat for nearly 35 years.  He currently serves as President of the NY Sport Fishing Federation and is a member of the North Fork Captain’s Association.

Joe is a champion fighting for the rights of all fishermen on both State and Federal levels and is proud to be part of a strong and dedicated group of licensed captains with a strong tradition of professionalism and community.

Christopher Squeri is a recreational councilor for almost 20 years.

He is a lifelong inshore and offshore recreational fisherman. Fishing out of both Jones Inlet and Montauk, Chris enjoys spending time on the water with his son.

Chris owns and operates 2 marinas, Atlantic Yacht Haven and Travelers Yacht Haven, in Freeport. Chris has represented marine businesses for 20 years, serving as Executive Director of the NY Marine Trades Association. He has served on many councils and task forces, including the South Shore Estuary Reserve Council, NYS DEC Eel Grass Task Force, NYS Parks & Recreation Boating Advisory Council, National Marine Trades Council and Empire State Marine Trades Association. Chris is a longtime member of the Freeport Tuna Club and served as President in 2001.

Chris continues to advocate for the best interests of recreational anglers throughout the entire marine district.

Charles Witek has been a Councilor for 15+ years and he represents the recreational fishing sector.

Charles is a lifelong recreational angler, who lives on the South Shore of Long Island, New York.  Although he most frequently fishes his local waters, he has fished on every coast of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as in the Caribbean.

He has served as a bluefin tuna technical advisor to the U.S. ICCAT delegation, and has held a seat on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and has testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans, with respect to federal fisheries law.  In addition to serving on New York’s Marine Resources Advisory Council, he represents New York’s anglers on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Winter Flounder and Coastal Sharks Advisory Panels.

Charles is also a freelance outdoor writer, who currently serves as President of the New York State Outdoor Writers’ Association, and an attorney who provides advice on salt water fisheries conservation policy, politics, legislation and related matters.