BILL NUMBER: S9340
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
extending the authority of the department of environmental conservation
to manage monkfish
 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to extend the authority of the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) to manage monkfish.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill amends Environmental Conservation Law (ECL)
13-0340-g to extend, until December 3 1, 2027, DEC's authority to fix by
regulation measures for the management of monkfish (Lophius americanus,
Lophius reticulates and Lophius gastrophysus).
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
DEC's regulatory authority for monkfish is necessary in order to protect
these fisheries for the benefit of those who rely on them for recre-
ational opportunities and income, and to maintain the sustainability of
these fisheries so that they are available for future generations.
This bill would extend DEC's regulatory authority to ensure that DEC
continues to be able to regulate monkfish seasons, size/catch limits,
and taking of monkfish, provided such regulations are consistent with
the compliance requirements of the applicable Fishery Management Plans
adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
DEC's regulatory authority was last extended by Chapter 123 of the Laws
of 2021.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S9340: 13-0340-g environmental conservation law