Gamefish in the Hudson
With the current status of the striped bass the time has come to take further measures in order to protect the species. On 05/06/2011 Bill # A07487 was referred to the environmental conservation committee. There is an enormous amount of justification for this Bill and it should pass right through.
This Bill was introduced and being supported by true friends of ours. I would like to thank Assemblyman Thomas J. Abinanti for introducing this Bill. I would also like to thank Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, Assemblyman Mike Spano, Assemblyman George S. Latimer, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and our long time friend Assemblyman Joseph S. Saladino for their co/multi sponsorship of this Bill.
This Bill is no doubt a step in the right direction for both the preservation and conservation of striped bass. With the continued support of our friends up in Albany, we will be able to ensure that striped bass will be around for many years to come.
Thank You,
Tom Farrell
Vice President - New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing Inc.
weakfishin@yahoo.com
"A07487 Summary:
BILL NO A07487
SAME AS Same as S 4633
SPONSOR Abinanti (MS)
COSPNSR Calhoun, Jaffee, Galef, Spano
MLTSPNSR Latimer, Paulin, Saladino
Amd S11-1321, En Con L
Prohibits the taking of striped bass from the Hudson river for commercial
purposes; defines the pertinent portions of the Hudson river and "taking of
striped bass for commercial purposes"; does not prohibit lawful taking of
striped bass by angling for recreational purposes; provides for expiration
thereof.
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A07487 Actions:
BILL NO A07487
05/06/2011 referred to environmental conservation
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A07487 Memo:
BILL NUMBER:A7487
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in
relation to prohibiting the taking of striped bass from the Hudson river
for commercial purposes; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA;.u off;: To continue the current regulatory
prohibition on commercial fishing of striped bass in the Hudson River
until April 1, 2015.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: The bill would add a new subdivision 10
to Section 11-1321 of the environmental conservation law to prohibit
taking of striped bass from the Hudson River for commercial purposes.
The act expires on April 1, 2015.
JUSTIFICATION: Reopening commercial fishing of Hudson River striped bass
could adversely affect public health, the striped bass ecosystem, local
economies, tourism and the nation-wide striped bass market.
Since the late 1970's, commercial fishing of Hudson River striped bass
has been prohibited by the Department of Environmental Conservation due
to the high level of PCB's (polychlorinated biphenyls) found in the
fish's flesh. Pursuant to Chapter 29 of the Laws of 2000, the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation appointed a Temporary
Advisory Committee to report to the Commissioner on management of
striped bass in the Hudson River. The Committee reached no consensus on
reopening commercial striped bass fishing. The DEC is contemplating
lifting the ban.
Public health concerns have been raised about consumption of fish from
the Hudson due to the presence of PCB's and heavy metals such as mercu-
ry. Human ingestion of PCB-laden fish has been linked to numerous cogni-
tive and developmental problems. Although recreational fishermen are
likely to know safe fish-consumption limits, consumers of commercially
available fish would not necessarily be so knowledgeable.
Reopening of the Hudson River striped bass commercial fishing could
significantly impact the entire national striped bass market by causing
consumer uncertainty as to whether the striped bass they were consuming
was from the Hudson.
Reopening commercial fishing could lead to the depletion of the striped
bass population with immediate loss of the significant recreational
industry that has developed from across the nation to fish the "striper"
and the loss of the significant revenues it generates to local Hudson
River communities.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: A.10141-A/S.5679-A (2001-02); A.5934-A passed
Assembly (2003-04); A1811 (2005-06); A.1147 (2007-2008); A412
(2009-passed Assembly); 54948 (2010-passed Senate).
FISCAL IMPLICATION FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: None.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 120th days after it becomes law. All rules or regu-
lations necessary to it's implementation shall be promulgated by the
effective date. This act expires on April 1, 2015.
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A07487 Text:
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
__________________________________________________ ______________________
7487
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
May 6, 2011
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI, CALHOUN, JAFFEE, GALEF, SPANO --
Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. LATIMER, PAULIN, SALADINO -- read once
and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
prohibiting the taking of striped bass from the Hudson river for
commercial purposes; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon expiration thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
1 Section 1. Section 11-1321 of the environmental conservation law is
2 amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
3 10. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY,
4 THE TAKING OF STRIPED BASS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES FROM THE HUDSON RIVER
5 IS PROHIBITED. STRIPED BASS UNINTENTIONALLY TAKEN CONTRARY TO ANY
6 PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE RETURNED TO THE WATER AT ONCE WITHOUT
7 UNNECESSARY INJURY.
8 (B) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION: (I) "HUDSON RIVER" MEANS THE
9 HUDSON RIVER FROM THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE IN NEW YORK CITY TO THE
10 FEDERAL DAM AT TROY, AND TRIBUTARY WATERS OF THAT SECTION OF THE RIVER
11 FROM THE TRIBUTARY'S MOUTH UPSTREAM TO THE FIRST FALLS OR OTHER BARRIER
12 IMPASSABLE TO FISH; AND (II) "TAKING OF STRIPED BASS FOR COMMERCIAL
13 PURPOSES" MEANS THE TAKING OF SUCH FISH, BY ANY MEANS, FOR PURPOSES OF
14 PURCHASING, SELLING, TRADING, OR BARTERING SUCH FISH OR OFFERING OR
15 EXPOSING SUCH FISH FOR PURCHASE, SALE, TRADE, OR BARTER.
16 (C) NOTHING IN THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE DEEMED TO PROHIBIT THE LAWFUL
17 TAKING OF STRIPED BASS BY ANGLING FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
18 S 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
19 it shall have become a law; provided, however that the amendments made
20 by section one of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed April 1,
21 2015. Effective immediately any rules and regulations necessary for the
22 timely implementation of this act on its effective date may be promul-
23 gated on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted."
LBD10856-01-1
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Originally Posted by Tom Farrell
