Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage Atlantic Cod

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

DEC's regulatory authority for Atlantic cod is necessary to preserve the current regulatory program. Failure to extend the existing regulatory authority by December 31, 2026 will result in the loss of regulatory protection for these species. This bill would extend DEC's regulatory authority for Atlantic cod for an additional three years, and ensure that DEC continues to be able to maintain compliance with any applicable federal management plan or Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). ECL § 13-0105, which sets forth the marine fisheries conservation and management policy, provides that one of the State's objectives shall be that the management of the State's transboundary and migratory species shall be consistent with any inter- jurisdictional management plans, interstate or state-federal. Moreover, failure to make necessary regulatory changes as may be required by an applicable FMP could result in the closure of New York's fishery for that species. Atlantic cod is managed by the federal government pursuant to a federal FMP adopted by the New England Fishery Management Council. Atlantic cod are infrequently caught in New York waters, but are regularly landed in New York from fishing trips in federal waters. It is important that New York have the ability to synchronize state regulations with any amend- ments to the FMP and resulting changes to the federal regulations so that the applicable rules are clear and easy to enforce.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.