Steven Levy, Suffolk County Executive, said that a study is essential to highlight the need for the federal government to be more equitable in its fishing quotas for New York State. It is fact that the fishing industry in Suffolk County has seen a decline recently due to tightening regulations imposed on New York State by the National Marine Fisheries Service – the federal government’s commission that controls the industry.
The number of commercial fishermen in Suffolk has been in a steady decline due to decreasing fishery quotas. Economically, fishing is a multi-million dollar, multi-faceted industry that pumps millions of dollars into both the county and the state, and employs thousands. It is said that the decreasing of fishery quotas for the state will have disastrous effects on the local and state economies.
Many observers agree that New York fishermen are not getting an equitable percentage of the coastal states’ total quota for certain species. To examine this more closely, Suffolk County and the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency will both contribute $15,000 to fund a study through the town of East Hampton’s Fisheries Committee and Consultancy.
Levy said that Suffolk has the largest number of commercial fishermen and it has a significant stake in the fishing industry. There is a need to ensure that its heritage as a fishing force in the nation continues to thrive for years to come. Legislator Jay Schneiderman opined that through this study, records will be provided that demonstrate what has been saying for years – that Long Island has been denied its fair share of the catch.
