[MakoMike]

Reading between the lines on the fluke threads and the blackfish threads I'm getting the feeling that a lot of NY fishermen, both commercial and recreational, don't feel like they are being well represented by the MRAC. I can't help but wonder why. in RI we have a similar panel that meets once a month. Their meetings are open to the pbulic and the public is encourage to attend and comment. The system seems to work well in RI. Is that because RI is such a small state that its easier for the public to attend than in NY? The RIMFAC meeting are usually well attended by both recreational and commercial fishermen, are NY's MRAC well attended? Is part of the problem the fact that the council meets way out on the east end (Sekaucket?) far removed from the bulk of the population? Would it help if meetings were staggered all around Long Island? Just trying to get some idea of what seems to be the problem in NY.

Disclaimer: I am personal firneds with several members of the NY MRAC but I will try to not allow that to influence the conversation.

 

[EdP35]

Mike,

Good post.

Besides the location issues, I think the time they meet is also another problem for most. I believe most meetings are held in the early afternoons and on weekdays. Just hard to get there at that time, especially if you work in the city.

I wonder if they could possibly arrange for a way for fisherman to express their concerns/opinions in an online forum (only with real names, not screen names) that could be supported and monitored by the DEC? I know they post their meeting minutes online, why not give the public, who can?t attend the meetings, a convenient way to respond to issues brought up at the meetings?

 

[MakoMike]

EdP35 wrote:
Mike,

Good post.

Besides the location issues, I think the time they meet is also another problem for most. I believe most meetings are held in the early afternoons and on weekdays. Just hard to get there at that time, especially if you work in the city.


In RI the meeting start at 6PM, which makes it a little tight for some folks to get there, but its really not too bad. what time do they start in NY?

 

[EdP35]

Unless it has recently changed, I believe most meetings start around 2 p.m.

This post edited by EdP35 11:34 AM 02/19/2008

 

[MakoMike]

I can see how that would really be a big problem, for both the public and the counselors.

 

[onitis]

Its almost a month since the last meeting and nothing is posted on their website regarding the meeting.I guess they just dont care what we care.

 

[JC30967]

Mike-

I'd definately agree with Edp35. Setauket is a bit out of the way for many people, and holding the meetings in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday certainly doesn't help. If I'm not mistaken, this is the m.o. for most of those DEC hearings that are open to the public, also.

An online forum would go a huge way towards allowing for more public input into the fishery management process. No reason why it can't be done,other than the perception that many folks share, namely that NY really doesn't go out of its way for its fishermen, rec and comm. RI seems to be a much more "fish friendly" state. Hey, you guys are "The Ocean State" , after all

.

 

[WaterAye]

I agree with everything said.

1. RI is nice and small and easy to get around (not counting road conditions)
2. RI is very fishermen friendly.
3. NY is a PITA to get around, meetings are an hour and a half west of here (East Hampton) the largest fishing port in NY.
4. Meetings are in the middle of the day, not conducive for attendance.
5. NY DEC does not care and just wants the path of least resistance.
6. One of the commercial reps, Sima Freierman was fired last April from Inlet Seafood and now has nothing to do w/ the seafood industry. Has she been replaced?

 

[EdP35]

I'm assuming it's a volunteer thing but are there term limits as to how long someone can be on the council? I mean I know they are appointed by the DEC, as well as State Senators, but are there any limits as to how long you can be on once appointed?

This post edited by EdP35 01:06 PM 02/19/2008

 

[MakoMike]

EdP35 wrote:
I'm assuming it's a volunteer thing but are there term limits as to how long someone can be on the council? I mean I know they are appointed by the DEC, as well as State Senators, but are there any limits as to how long you can be on once appointed?

Ed,
I'm pretty sure there aren't the guys I know on the council have been on it for donkey's years. Same in RI, not only do they stay on it forever, but when an opening does come up you have to be well connected to get it.

 

[MisterX]

Im sure a 6PM meeting in Manhattan or the surrounding boro's would be well attended.

Otherwise, somewhere in Nassau county would make it easier for most.

 

[MakoMike]

MisterX wrote:
Im sure a 6PM meeting in Manhattan or the surrounding boro's would be well attended.

Otherwise, somewhere in Nassau county would make it easier for most.

If I were king I would have all meetings start at 6PM and rotate the locations between Queens, Nassau, Western Suffolk and Eastern Suffolk. But that asuues that the poers that be really want some input!

 

[EdP35]

With today's technology and if they really wanted to, I guess they could figure something out to increase public participation in the process.

This post edited by EdP35 02:05 PM 02/19/2008

 

[EdP35]

Makomike wrote:
If I were king I would have all meetings start at 6PM and rotate the locations between Queens, Nassau, Western Suffolk and Eastern Suffolk. But that asuues that the poers that be really want some input!

Mike, it would never work.......it makes too much sense, the DEC would never go for it.

 

[WaterAye]

From the MRAC web site.

The Council is comprised of fifteen members, seven representatives each from the state?s commercial and recreational fishing industries and the Dean of the Marine Sciences Research Center, MSRC (now the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, SoMAS) of Stony Brook University, or his/her designee, as chairperson. Appointments to the council are made by the DEC Commissioner. For eight of these appointments, the Commissioner acts on nominations from the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate and the Speaker of the New York State Assembly. The remaining six councilors are appointed directly by the Commissioner. Since the Council?s inception, Mr. William Wise of MSRC has served as chairman.

MakoMike wrote:
notonly do they stay on it forever, but when an opening does come up you have to be well connected to get it.

Absofreakinlootly right!

 

[CaptPaul]

All MRAC meetings are at two in the afternoon, on Tuesdays. Yes, it has been mentioned that there would be better attendance if they were in the evening. Basically, the DEC employees do not want to stay late, and there may also be over-time considerations.

Setauket is the mainoffice of the Marine District,so that's where they hold the meetings. Also, it is in the middle of the Island, basically, so it is theoretically centrally located for most saltwater fishermen. I know it is far from the East End, but when I lived in Babylon, it was too far East for me. A Manhattan meeting might draw a lot of people, but probably not the important ones. I think the location is the best available, but the time is very poor. I would enjoy holding a seat, or at the very least be at every meeting, but I cannot give up the second Tuesday of every month in advance.

As for attendance, there is really not that much room for many more people, even though many express interest in attending. The room probably holds 80 or 100 persons, and is usually full at any meetings w/ any meat in their content.

As for public comment, there is nothing stopping people from writing letters or e-mails during the comment period. They do get read. Most people who go to the meetings don't get a chance to comment, anyways, there are so many, so a well-written letter will certainly serve one's interests better.

Lastly, Mike, I would say that the MRAC members do listen to what the fishermen have to say, and usually do a good job of balancing the users interests w/ the managers requirements. However, we all know that we cannot have whatever we want, and, unfortunately, the DEC only gets the recommendation of the MRAC- ultimately they do as they feel is "best."

Paul

 

[MakoMike]

CaptPaul wrote:
All MRAC meetings are at two in the afternoon, on Tuesdays. Yes, it has been mentioned that there would be better attendance if they were in the evening. Basically, the DEC employees do not want to stay late, and there may also be over-time considerations.

Setauket is the mainoffice of the Marine District,so that's where they hold the meetings. Also, it is in the middle of the Island, basically, so it is theoretically centrally located for most saltwater fishermen. I know it is far from the East End, but when I lived in Babylon, it was too far East for me. A Manhattan meeting might draw a lot of people, but probably not the important ones. I think the location is the best available, but the time is very poor. I would enjoy holding a seat, or at the very least be at every meeting, but I cannot give up the second Tuesday of every month in advance.

As for attendance, there is really not that much room for many more people, even though many express interest in attending. The room probably holds 80 or 100 persons, and is usually full at any meetings w/ any meat in their content.

As for public comment, there is nothing stopping people from writing letters or e-mails during the comment period. They do get read. Most people who go to the meetings don't get a chance to comment, anyways, there are so many, so a well-written letter will certainly serve one's interests better.

Lastly, Mike, I would say that the MRAC members do listen to what the fishermen have to say, and usually do a good job of balancing the users interests w/ the managers requirements. However, we all know that we cannot have whatever we want, and, unfortunately, the DEC only gets the recommendation of the MRAC- ultimately they do as they feel is "best."

Paul

Paul,
A lot of your comments ring true, even for the RIMFAC. But the cost and inconvience of overtime is something where I think they need to get their priorities straight. It may be "inconvient" for what 4 or 6 DEC employees, vs the councillors and public who wish to attend who probably number 50 or more. Where's the equity in that?

As far as the venue goes, if the room is too small they can use a state university room. The RIMFAC meeting are held in a small auditorium on the URI campus.

I also agree that letters are much more effective than comments st the meeting, and I would also add that well thoguht out and presented comments are much more effective than rants.

I'll take you word on the geography of the situation, but it seems to me that if some of the councillors can travel from the east end for these meetings then maybe the other could also travel a little ways to make the meeting more accessable to the public. Just sitting in these meeting can be very educational for the average fishermen and could also serve to abate a lot of the discontent at having regulations "shoved down our throat."

Anyway, those are just some observations from a guy on the outside looking in. If you guys want something changed you are the ones that are going to have to work to change it.