New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Joe Martens today announced that DEC will propose revisions to the current rule restricting overland transport of uncertified baitfish.
"I appreciate the helpful criticism of the Department's existing baitfish regulations and we are revising the rule accordingly," said Acting Commissioner Joe Martens. "Fishing is an important part of our outdoor sports economy, and we expect anglers will welcome this change and support our common goal of protecting New York's world class fisheries."
DEC is currently developing a proposed revision to the regulations that would allow baitfish to be transported overland within defined "transportation corridors" for use within the same waterbody from which they are collected. DEC anticipates issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in March to be followed by a 45-day public comment period.
" I applaud DEC for taking a common sense approach to an issue that has been especially harmful to the residents of Western New York," said Senator Mark Grisanti, Chair of the Senate Committee of Environmental Conservation, "I am pleased to see such a positive outcome and look forward to working with Commissioner Martens to resolve issues affecting all New Yorkers in the future."
Additional background information regarding the current overland transport regulation is available on DEC's website: //www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/47282.html.