A proposed change to commercial black bass regulations in New York would make it easier for farm-raised bass to be resold by food retailers.
Under current rules, only licensed hatchery operators can sell black bass in the state. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will accept public comment on the proposal through June 18.
According to the DEC’s press release announcing the proposal, the DEC worked with representatives of the aquaculture industry and the New York Farm Bureau to establish procedures requiring adequate record-keeping, ensuring bass being sold commercially originate from licensed aquaculture operations and not from wild sources.
Already, the proposal has drawn stern opposition from the Onondaga County Fisheries Advisory Board (OCFAB), a group formed in February 2009 by the Onondaga County (Syracuse area) legislature to advise the county’s Environmental Protection Committee on issues related to the county’s lakes and streams. The OCFAB submitted a 4-page response outlining, among other issues, the potential for an increase in bass harvesting, both in and out of season, if the proposal goes through.
“It is our sincere belief that this proposed change to commercial black bass regulations does not fall in line with the DEC’s mission and the lack of controls pose a great risk to not only the already established and highly profitable black bass fishery, but to all NYSDEC managed fisheries,” wrote Mike Cusano, chairman of the OCFAB, in its comments sent to the DEC.
To view the DEC’s press release on the topic, click here.
