Right call by Cuomo on fishing fee rebate

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo got it right last Friday when he directed the Department of Environmental Conservation to issue refunds to those who purchased Recreational Marine or Lifetime Saltwater fishing licenses during the 2010-11 state fiscal year.

The announcement, made from the Freeport Boatmans Association dock along Freeport's Nautical Mile, tackled an issue that irked local anglers and sparked a lawsuit by seven East End towns claiming their right to fish for free in municipal waters extended from colonial patents. The towns won, creating an enforcement headache and jump-starting discussions to repeal the license.

"We fought and got your money back," Gov. Cuomo told me in a follow-up interview. "Some things in life should still be free. Fishing is passed on from generation to generation. It's a tradition we should cherish and protect."

The $10 license was implemented after federal legislation required states to register recreational marine anglers. The idea was to develop a database to improve federal fishing surveys that monitor the number and size of fish harvested. The license has since been scrapped in favor of a free registry that complies with the federal guidelines, and anyone age 16 or older wanting to fish in marine or tidal waters must first sign up (www.dec.ny. gov/permits/54950.html).

The initial federal directive did not require a fee, but former Gov. David Paterson's administration proposed the charge -- a tag local anglers loathed because the money was not directed specifically toward causes like habitat restoration, fisheries management or improved saltwater fishing access. Fishing industry representatives believed the cost also deterred new anglers, young families and tourists from entering the sport.

When asked if there were any circumstances under which he could envision another license fee being imposed on New York's saltwater anglers, Gov. Cuomo's response was clear and unwavering:

"No! I will not sign a bill imposing such fees as long as I am governor," he said. "[Saltwater] fishing should be free. Period."

The governor has built some goodwill among anglers with his action and his words. Simple logic doesn't always hold sway where politics and anglers' needs cross lines. This was a bold initiative in support of recreational fishing and should be recognized as such.

"I love fishing," the governor said. "I've done it all my life. I enjoy it with my kids, my family, my brother. We felt this was an opportunity to give a little something back, even if it was a small gesture. It's our way of saying we understand and we're trying."

So, where do we go from here?

"Issue by issue, whatever comes up," the governor said. "I realize fishing is a great economic engine for the state. Just think of all the charter and open boats, the bait shops, the tackle shops, the lunches and fishing clothes anglers buy. I want to protect that also."

Following his announcement, the governor headed east to Shinnecock for some striper fishing. How did he make out?

"I got skunked," he admitted, a tinge of disappointment discernible in his voice.

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