New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold its first meeting to announce outcomes of the Commercial Licensing Assessment Review generated by marine fisheries consultant George LaPointe on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 6 p.m. at Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center, located at 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794 (Google Maps). Information on how to access the meeting’s live audio via WebEx will be available on DEC’s website preceding the meeting.
In March 2018, DEC’s Division of Marine Resources engaged LaPointe, a marine fisheries consultant well-versed in current marine fisheries issues, to review and provide feedback on the State’s current management of the licensing of commercial marine fishermen in New York. Lapointe’s experience in managing state fisheries and licensing has enabled him to capture the diverse views and needs of New York’s commercial fishing industry.
New York’s current licensing system has evolved over the past 30 years in response to changing fish populations in New York State waters. A list of the topics that have been addressed during this project include:
- Specifying qualifications for license issuance
- License transferability
- Identifying means of entry for new participants in New York’s fisheries
- Apprenticeship
- Resolution of the latent licenses issue
A series of public meetings were held by DEC and LaPointe to allow commercial fisheries stakeholders to ask questions and provide insight into the current licensing system. LaPointe has examined the input and comments from stakeholders and assessed the current marine commercial licensing system in order to provide recommendations on how to improve and revise it.
Submit Public Comments
A report of LaPointe’s findings will be available on the DEC’s web page at the conclusion of the first meeting. DEC encourages all stakeholders to review this document and provide written comments by e-mail to FW.Marine@dec.ny.gov with the subject line “GLP Permits,” or by mail to Maureen Davidson, NYSDEC, 205 Belle Mead Road, Suite #1, East Setauket, New York 11733. Comments will be accepted until September 30, 2019.
Additional Stakeholder Meetings
The Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) will also hold a meeting to discuss and provide feedback on report recommendations. An MRAC meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2019, 6 p.m. at Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center, located at 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794 (Google Maps).
In August 2019, DEC will host two additional meetings in both Suffolk and Nassau counties for stakeholders to review the report, ask questions, and provide verbal and written comments. Information about these meetings will be available as dates and locations are determined and will be posted to the Commercial Licensing Assessment Review web page.
For Further Information
For additional information on meeting information and the public comment period, visit DEC’s website.
For directions and parking instructions at the Charles B. Wang Center, visit Stony Brook University’s website.
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