Figliola: Ease restrictions on Long Island's fishing industry
Today, it appears that the health of our fishery has returned. We're in a position to help rebuild Long Island's fishing industry, capitalize on an emerging market, and create more Long Island-based jobs. Credit: iStock
For many years, fishing was the backbone of Long Island's economy. With more than 1,100 miles of coastline, deep ports and healthy stocks of fish, our local seafood industry fed emerging cities like New York and Boston in the early days of the nation. The overall health of the fishery, however, nosedived in the 20th century. Overfishing, poor stewardship, rapid industrialization and pollution forced the government to intervene.
In 1976, Congress passed the Magnuson-Stevens Act to support both the environment and the fishing industry. It created separate councils for different regions, and each committee regulated fishing limits and catch sizes within its designated area. The result was an uneasy truce between conservationists and the fishing industry.
Today, it appears that the health of our fishery has returned. But regulations haven't caught up. For instance until a recent temporary tweak, federal regulators were setting New York's fluke limits using data from 1998. The fluke population seems to have rebounded, so why use data from 16 years ago?
We have to help rebuild the industry, and that includes pragmatic environmental polices coupled with a targeted economic development strategy.
This is particularly important now, as the demand for seafood grows in overseas markets. China is growing so rapidly that it's importing seafood to adequately feed its people.
Long Island's fishing industry has shown interest in participating in the global market. But under restrictions handed down years ago by the regional councils, our commercial fishers are forced to deal with a multitude of outdated regulations, from limits on the size of a catch down to the half inch, to fees for every type of license, to special payroll taxes for small bait-and-tackle shops. These regulations are hampering the industry's ability to catch the volume needed to become an international player.
Some states have recognized China's need for food and have responded. U.S. seafood exports to China are up 58 percent since 2011. This has been primarily through West Coast fisheries, such as those in Seattle and Alaska. The West Coast's proximity to Asia is a contributor to this boom, but so is that regional council, which took economic impact into consideration when developing regulations.
China is expected to import $20 billion worth of seafood annually by 2020. This isn't a market New York can afford to ignore.
East Northport-based K&B Seafood is a regional seafood exporter and plans a major push this year. This could inspire other Long Island companies to think about exporting.
While Long Island has focused on attracting new industries such as bio-tech and information technology, our centuries-old fishing industry also needs assistance. According to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office, the state fishing industry pumps $1.8 billion into New York's economy and employs more than 17,000 people. The industry is poised to thrive if we can ease restrictions.
A step in the right direction would be for Congress to pass the New York Fair Fishing Act of 2014. Introduced by Reps. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) and Steve Israel (D-Huntington), the proposal would grant New York membership into the New England Fishery Management Council, which regulates a large portion of the waters Long Island fishermen troll.
New York belongs to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; gaining membership in both councils would give the state a voice when regulations are proposed by either one and would allow access to federal funding.
Make no mistake -- our fishery is fragile and still needs stewardship from all stakeholders. But thanks to farsighted actions in the 1970s, today we're in a position to help rebuild this industry, capitalize on an emerging market, and create more Long Island-based jobs.
Anthony Figliola is the vice president of Empire Government Strategies, an economic development firm based in Uniondale.
