BILL NUMBER: S10044
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
commercial food fish licenses
 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to extend the Department's authority to
issue limited entry commercial fishing licenses and permits.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill amends Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) §
13-0328 authorizing the Department to: 1) through December 31, 2029,
maintain a yearly cap on the number of commercial food fish, crab, whelk
(conch), and Marine and Coastal District Party and Charter Boat licenses
or permits that may be issued; 2) through December 31, 2029, maintain
the current moratorium on new lobster permits; and 3) through December
31, 2029, maintain current license eligibility requirements.
Section 2 of the proposed bill provides for an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill would maintain current license and permit limits. A complete
moratorium will be maintained on commercial lobster permits. A substan-
tial decline in lobster abundance has resulted from episodes of mortal-
ity beginning in 1999, supporting a continued moratorium to prevent new
entrants in this troubled fishery.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
DEC's authority was last extended by Chapter 306 of the Laws of 2023.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.