March 28, 2013 — Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Suffolk County joined Senator Charles E. Schumer and others last week in Washington D.C. to testify before the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard during a hearing, “Developments and Opportunities in U.S. Fisheries Management.”
Senator Schumer testified that New York’s commercial and recreational fishermen have to deal with unfair recreational and commercial catch limits, putting the local fishing industry at a disadvantage compared to other states. Senator Schumer wants changes made to the Manguson-Stevens Act, the 1976 law that governs U.S. fisheries management.
CCE’s Marine Program Director Emeritus Emerson Hasbrouck testified in support of Schumer’s proposal which would offer flexibility into the rules which he says punish local anglers. Mr. Hasbrouck provided information on how the establishment of state-by-state quota allocation puts New York fisherman at significant disadvantage.
Read the full story at The Sag Harbor Express