Commercial Fishing Advocate Position Passes Legislature

The State Assembly and State Senate each recently adopted legislation to create a state-appointed commercial fishing industry advocate position to lobby on behalf of the state’s commercial fishermen and promote economic expansion of the industry.

The same legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. and Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, also creates a commercial fishing-focused small business development program that would be directed to promote the expansion of markets for New York’s fish.

The advocates position would be within the State Department of Economic Development.

“The commercial fishing industry is part of the fabric of the East End of Long Island,” Mr. LaValle said in a statement on the measure. “It’s essential that we ensure that the industry is adequately represented before state agencies and is provided the proper tools to thrive. By creating an advocate, fishermen will have a strong voice to assist in the promotion of the industry, and will be part of state economic development plans.”

The two houses of the State Legislature each voted to approve the creation of the position, but the bill still awaits Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature before the position would be created.

Bonnie Brady, executive director of the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association, a vocal advocate for the commercial fishing industry, said that the move by the state is a long 
overdue step that could help the industry seek out new markets for its underutilized fish stocks.

“The state recognizing the role that commercial fishing plays in the state economy and the small businesses that are created as a result of it is wonderful,” said Ms. Brady, whose husband is a commercial fisherman in Montauk. “We need to talk about … our underutilized fisheries. There are a lot of places that are looking for high-quality wild protein sources.”

Ms. Brady noted that eastern Long Island has no fish processing facilities, leaving the fleet to supply only the fresh fish market. With the demand of new markets from around the country for robust stocks of locally caught fish like porgies, the industry could attract investment and expand its harvest, she said.