As you all may be aware, this new Bill, “S4633-2011: Prohibits the taking of striped bass from the Hudson river for commercial purposes” ( http://m.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S4633-2011) which has recently passed the NYS Assembly and Senate however, this Bill must be signed by Governor Cuomo in order to become law.

We request LIBBA members stand united to reflect our support of the Bill with the Governor representing our organizational support of this Bill. The New York Coalition of Recreational Fishing Alliance has created and sent a letter to the Governor’s office which states their official position regarding this matter.

LIBBA members are being asked to support this initiative and we would like our members to personally become involved by sending a letter of support for this Bill.

You can reach the governor’s office in one of the following 3 way;

1)     Send an email to http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php

2)     Send fax (which will ensure that your letter reaches the Bill folder more expediently) to 518-486-4466

3)     Send hard copy to either the Governors address or to his Legislative Secretary Kristin Ross.

a)     Governor Cuomo, Executive Chamber, NYS Capital, Albany NY 12224

b)    Kristin Ross, Legislative Secretary, NYS Capitol Building RM. 239, Albany NY 12224

If email, please also carbon copy Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti at abinantit@assembly.state.ny.us

Thank you for your consideration of supporting this very important issue.

The following letter can be reused at will; 

June 2011

Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor

Executive Chamber

The State Capitol

Albany, New York 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo,

As a member of the Long Island Beach Association, I would like to officially state my position on A07487 & S4633 legislation and urge you to support the prohibition of commercial fishing for striped bass in the Hudson River as per subdivision 10, section 11-1321 of the Environmental Conservation Law.

The Hudson River is an important spawning and nursery ground for striped bass. Estimates indicate the Hudson stock accounts for about 15-20% percent of the coastal migration depending upon the spawning success of other stocks. Research shows, that unlike fish in the Chesapeake stock that migrate extensively along the coast, Hudson fish tend to remain closer to the spawning river and its expanded adjacent nursery ground in Long Island Sound and south shore estuaries. That means the stock represents a primary group of fish that supports recreational fishing and related business in western portions of the tri-state area. These businesses include bait and tackle shops, charter boats, party boats, as well local guides. For the most part these are family businesses as well as diminish interest among local recreational fisherman and negatively affect tourism.

Furthermore, commercial harvest in spawning areas is ill advised. Although there are exceptions, sound management strategies have consistently supported the axiom that fish should not be harvested until they have grown old enough to spawn and should not be taken prior to the completion of the annual spawning ritual. Any type of commercial take would reduce the size of the stock and netting would also impinge and kill sub-legal fish in the nursery ground further reducing the size of the stock.

Another issue involves public health concerns. Although PCB levels have retreated from historic levels, PCB contamination in the river remains a reality. There are also other toxins that have been identified in the river and enter via runoff from surrounding farms, homes and businesses. These toxins enter the food chain and ultimately accumulate exponentially in game fish. Public health concerns might also influence consumers who confused about how much stripe bass to eat and would be unable to distinguish between Hudson striped bass and safe farm raised fish as well as wild fish taken from cleaner waters.

All of these issues become even more important in view of poor recruitment in the Hudson stock in recent years. Although the 2007 young of the year index suggest a large successful year class, that has been little evidence of that year in the catches of anglers in the region. Historically, a large year class is manifest in substantial catches of 10-14 inch fish in the western Sound and south shore estuaries several years after the spawning year. However, only modest numbers of fish in this size range have been noted.

 Furthermore, the process that leads to the formulation of the young of the year index although helpful has proven to be unreliable at times due to the limitations of the sampling process and the influence of the weather conditions at the times the samples are taken. This uncertainty simply reinforces the need to prohibit commercial fishing for striped bass in the Hudson River. Historically, initial reports of large index numbers have been reduced when further evidence indicates the index number was inflated. This has happened on several occasions for both the Chesapeake and Hudson stocks.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

Sincerely,

Member Long Island Beach Buggy Association