Legislator Denenberg Demands That NYS DEC Amend New Fishing Regulations

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick) held a press conference where he was joined by members of United Boatmen of NY, Operation SPLASH, Freeport Tuna Club, and local fishermen to oppose the new NYS Department of Environmental Conservation fishing regulations for the 2009 fluke season.

The new regulations increase the fish size limit to at least 21 inches long, reduce the daily bag limit from four to two fish and splits the season into two parts – from May 15 to June 15 and from July 3 to Aug. 17. These new regulations cut back the summer fluke season by about one third and shut down fluke fishing during the height of the tourism and boat chartering time periods. This will have a severe negative impact on Long Island’s fishing and tourism industry.

“The closure will force charter fishing boats to cancel previously booked tours and eliminate Father’s Day weekend tours,” he said. “In this economy, the loss of Father’s Day weekend revenue is unrecoverable.”

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick), second from right, joined Captain Mike Wasserman, Capt. Lou's;

Dennis Kanyuk, President of United Boatman of New York; Christopher Squeri, NY Marine Trades, associate executive director;

and Tom Doheny, owner of Scotty's Fishing Station, at the press conference where they opposed the new NYS Dept. of

Environmental Conservation fishing regulations for the 2009 fluke season.