Just wanted to let all of you fellow New Yorkers know about a new law aimed at stopping the Anti's from creating "no fishing zones," which they are currently pursuing with some great vigor. The law, A07299, is currently in the assembly, but it needs our support to continue to move through the rediculously slow NY legislative process. Here is some info on the bill from the NY assembly web page:
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in
relation to prohibiting the establishment of areas closed to
recreational fishing absent specific criteria for such closure
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: Prevents the state from carrying out
any programs and procedures which establishes areas closed to
recreational fishing.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Section 1. The environmental
conservation law is amended by adding a new section 11-0304.
JUSTIFICATION: There is a clear indication that recreational fishermen
are not the cause of specific conservation problems and that less
severe conservation measures, such as gear restrictions, quotas, or
closed seasons, will provide for conservation and management of the
affected stocks of fish.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New Legislation
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None to the State.
EFFECTIVE DATE:; This act shall take effect on the one hundred
eightieth day after it shall have become law.
Now, here is how you can help get this law pushed through a little quicker. Simply go to
http://www.noreast.com/Freedom2Fish/ and fill out the form at the bottom of the web page. After you hit submit, it will take you to a page that allows you to send 3 letters to your local representative, the governor, and the chairman of the environmental conservation commission. Then, just mail the letters in. These letters really do help. Don't get complacent and assume that everyone else is going to do it so you don't have to. I don't know how much you guys follow the state-level politics, but proposed laws like this really need our support if they are to ever become actual laws. For the price of 3 stamps you will be doing yourself and a great many others after you a huge favor.
I'll get off of the soapbox for now...
Tom
