Meetings

There will be a Marine Resources Advisory Council meeting this coming Tuesday, September 14th and due to the current social restrictions still in place, once again the meeting will take place virtually.  The start time is 2:00 p.m.

Agenda Items:

1. Approval of meeting Minutes
2. Updates
   1. Cares Act/CAA
   2. Black Sea Bass commercial allocation
   3. DEC/DMR – new building
3. Whelk – review of public comments
4. Northern Puffer 

Webex – info here:

Marine Resources Advisory Council Virtual Meeting

Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• The Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) advises DEC on marine resources issues, such as commercial and recreational fishing, proposed regulations, and the protection and utilization of New York’s valuable marine resources.
• During this meeting, MRAC Council Members will be in-person and public participants may register online for the virtual meeting or visit DEC’s website for more information.
• By joining the virtual meeting, there will be opportunity to provide public comment, view meeting presentations, listen to councilor discussions, and ask questions.
• For more details on how to participate in the virtual meeting, visit DEC’s website.

Due to the lack of pressing agenda items and knowing this is everyone’s busy season, it was thought to be best to cancel the July 20th meeting. That means the next regularly scheduled MRAC meeting is Tuesday, September 14th at 2:00 p.m.; please note that it will take place (in-person) in the DEC’s new building noted here:

Physical Address:

NYS DEC Division of Marine Resources
Kings Park Blvd. & Mariner Rd.
Kings Park, NY, 11754

Mailing Address:

NYS DEC Division of Marine Resources
123 Kings Park Blvd (Nissequogue River State Park)
Kings Park, New York 11754

The DEC is also putting together meetings concerning artificial reefs and that information will be shared when available.

There will be a Marine Resources Advisory Council meeting this coming Tuesday, May 18th and due to the current social restrictions still in place, once again the meeting will take place virtually.  The start time is 2:00 p.m.

• The Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) advises DEC on marine resources issues, such as commercial and recreational fishing, proposed regulations, and the protection and utilization of New York’s valuable marine resources.
• Register online for the virtual meeting, and visit DEC’s website for more information.

AGENDA

• Public Comment
• Approval of Minutes – March 23, 2021
• Brief review of proposed Whelk rule
• Updates

• • Black Sea Bass appeal
  • CARES Act and CAA
  • Council/Commission Meeting
  • Other Rulemakings
  • LEGISLATIVE REVIEW

Agenda – 5-18-21

The Marine Resources Advisory Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 23rd has been CANCELLED. The legislative review will occur at the May 18th meeting.

The MRAC Marine Bills for Legislative Review – May 2021 are attached.

Follow the instructions below to register for the virtual meeting:

1. Click on March 2021 MRAC Meeting
2. Enter your name and email address
3. If required, enter meeting password MRAC0321
4. Click “Register”

Alternatively, you can dial into the meeting by calling (518) 549-0500 and entering Meeting ID # 185 590 3381.

AGENDA

• Public Comment
• Approval of January 19, 2021 Meeting Minutes
• CARES Act update
• Circle Hook update
• Black Sea Bass ASMFC Appeal
• 2021 Rule Making

There will be a Marine Resources Advisory Council meeting this coming Tuesday, January 19th and due to the current social restrictions still in place, once again the meeting will take place virtually.  The start time is 2:00 p.m.

AGENDA

• Public Comment – non-agenda items
• Approval of November 17, 2020 Minutes
• CARES Act update and next steps
• 2021 Quota distribution plans for 2021
• Limited Entry Random Selection Process
  • DEC is seeking a commercial fishing representative to witness the random selection process that will otherwise be virtual
• Rule Making update
• Circle Hook update
• Announcements
  • Special Harvest Programs
  • Public hearings and meetings
  • Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting, February 1-4, 2021
  • Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting, February 9-11, 2021
  • Reporting compliance for Food Fish and Crustacea Dealer/Shipper License Holders

Agenda – January 19, 2021

To join the virtual meeting, you must register online: >> Click on this link to register

• Enter your name and email address
• If required, enter meeting password: MRAC0121
• Click “Register”

Alternatively, you can dial into the meeting by calling (518) 549-0500 and entering Meeting ID # 178 158 0889.

Visit DEC’s Public Participation website for additional information on how to participate in DEC virtual meetings. For more information, visit DEC’s website.

There will be a Marine Resources Advisory Council meeting this coming Tuesday, November 17th and due to the current social restrictions still in place, once again the meeting will take place virtually.  The start time is 2:00 p.m.

AGENDA

• Approval of Minutes – July 14 & September 15, 2020
• CARES Act spend plan and application process
• ASMFC Striped Bass Advisory Panel: possible commercial representative
• New commercial summer flounder quota allocation:
  • Implementation January 1, 2021
  • Law suit
• Announcements
  • Tautog tagging program resumes in 2021
  • Notification by email and text messaging (E-notification)
  • FF&C Dealers/Shippers license holders reporting compliance
  • 2021 Quota distribution meeting
• Update
  • Circle Hooks
• 2021 Calendar

Log in and registration instructions for the virtual meeting are on DEC’s website .

The webinar will allow registrants to listen to council deliberations and motions as they occur and view presentations. Participants that join the webinar online may make verbal comments when prompted. Stakeholders may also submit written comments to kim.knoll@stonybrook.edu prior to the meeting which will be addressed during the meeting.

PDF Agenda 11-17-20

There will be a Council meeting this coming Tuesday, September 15th and due to the current social restrictions still in place, once again the meeting will take place virtually.  The start time is 2:00 p.m.

Log in and registration instructions for the virtual meeting are on DEC’s website .

The webinar will allow registrants to listen to council deliberations and motions as they occur and view presentations. Participants that join the webinar online may make verbal comments when prompted. Stakeholders may also submit written comments to kim.knoll@stonybrook.edu which will be addressed during the meeting.

MRAC Agenda 9-15-20

• Public Comments
• Announcements
• Approval of Minutes – July 14, 2020
• CARES ACT
• Information regarding Circle Hooks
• Commercial Bluefish and Black Sea Bass Management
• General Updates

The next MRAC meeting will be held via webinar on Tuesday July 14th, 2020 at 6:00pm. The NYS DEC has also posted information about the meeting on their website.

The agenda for Tuesday’s meeting is below and the instructions for joining the meeting are below the agenda.  Please reach out to me if you have any questions.    I will refer all technical questions to Stephanie Rekeymeyer who so kindly put the webinar together.

AGENDA

• CARES Act
• Bluefish management
• Illex Squid management
• Marine Permit office operating procedures for next 6-12 months
• Circle hook requirement (January 1^st 2021)
• Approval of meeting Minutes

Instructions to join the virtual meeting:

• Click on the link: July 2020 MRAC Meeting
• Enter your name and email address
• If required, enter meeting password MRACJul20
• Click “Join”

Only participants that join the meeting through the link above will be able to make verbal comments during the virtual meeting.

All attendees will be muted upon entry. During the questions and comments portion of the meeting, attendees will be asked to use the ‘raise hand’ function to be unmuted in order to make their comments. If you are interested in making a public comment during the meeting, please notify kim.knoll@stonybrook.edu by close of business on Monday, July 13.

Alternatively, attendees may also listen to the webinar by calling 518-549-0500 and entering meeting Access Code 161 939 0138. Participants that call-in will not be able to make verbal comments during the webinar. Please email all questions and comments to kim.knoll@stonybrook.edu to be included in the meeting minutes.

The next MRAC meeting will be held via webinar. The NYS DEC has posted information about the meeting on their website.

• Online: Visit the following link to register and to access the meeting once it begins: Click here to Register for MRAC Webinar (link leaves DEC website)
• Mobile Device: From a smartphone or tablet, download Cisco’s Webex Meetings app and enter Access Code 612 748 109.
• By Phone: Dial 1-844-633-8697 and enter Access Code 612 748 109.
• Please note: You will not be able to join the meeting until Tuesday, May 19 at 1:45 PM.

Stakeholders are encouraged to submit public comments to kim.knoll@stonybrook.edu. Public comments will be accepted through Friday, May 22nd, and will be included in the meeting minutes.

Agenda, May 19, 2020

• Approval of April’s Closed Session Minutes
• Coronavirus issues related to commercial and for-hire industries
• Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
• President’s Executive Order on Seafood Industries
• Summer flounder commercial quota management

Updates:

• Topics to be announced and as time permits

Due to imposed restrictions by Governor Cuomo surrounding public meetings, the Tuesday, March 24th meeting of the Marine Resources Advisory Council has been cancelled. Hopefully, things will be on an optimistic upswing by April’s scheduled meeting for the 21st but with things changing day by day, we cannot guarantee that right now. We will keep you informed as things progress.