MYSTIC, Conn. — November 3, 2014 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission presented Mr. Patrick Augustine, long-time ASMFC Commissioner from New York and fisheries advocate, the Captain David H. Hart Award, its highest annual award, at the Commission’s 73rd Annual Meeting in Mystic, CT. For nearly two decades, Mr. Augustine has passionately committed his time and energy to the betterment of Atlantic coast fisheries at all levels of fisheries management – state, interstate, regional, and federal. Over the past 16 years, he served at the pleasure of four consecutive Governors to represent New York’s fishing constituents on the Commission. Over that time, he actively participated on 15 of the Commission’s 17 species management boards, and provided leadership as Chair on six of those boards. He also played an important role in elevating the status of ASMFC Legislators and Governor Appointees as equal participants on species management boards, as well as recognizing the outstanding efforts of contributors to our process as a long-standing member of the Awards Committee.
Mr. Augustine served for three consecutive terms as a member of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, participating on over a dozen committees on issues ranging from demersal and coastal migratory species, research set-asides, ecosystem/ocean planning, Magnuson Stevens reauthorization, bycatch and limited access, and highly migratory species. He also represented the Council as an Advisory Committee member to the US Section for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. The Council adopted a formal resolution acknowledging his numerous and outstanding accomplishments upon his retirement from the Council in August 2011.
In New York, he has led and been a member of a number of his state’s fishing and marine resource organizations, including the New York Sportfishing Federation, Huntington Anglers Club, New York Bight Regional Ocean Science Council, South Shore Estuary Reserve Council, Long Island Sound Estuary Citizens Advisory Committee, Long Island Coastal Advisory Committee, Sea Grant Programs Advisor, and the New York State Boating Advisory Council. And yet, given all these responsibilities he still found time to offer his expertise as a speaker at numerous fishing clubs and special interest groups, and providing valuable input at the Marine Resources Advisory Council.
Throughout it all, Mr. Augustine brought to all his interactions his quick wit and good humor, dedication to fully understanding all the issues brought before him, and commitment to seeking balance among the competing demands of all resource users within fisheries management arena. To the latter point, he was often found talking directly to anglers when forming his position on an issue before the Commission. He is well known for having no reservations about taking those facts up directly at Commission meetings, or going straight to his Governor, Congress, or other elected officials when advocating for a given management action. This approach kept him wholly connected to New York anglers and grounded his positions in real-world facts as few others could. Because of his knowledge and relationships, Mr. Augustine has been at the forefront of resolving countless issues over the years, not only at the Commission, but in his role as a Council member and countless fishing and conservation organizations.
The Commission instituted the Award in 1991 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding efforts to improve Atlantic coast marine fisheries. The award is named for one of the Commission’s longest serving members, who dedicated himself to the advancement and protection of marine fishery resources.