Connecticut Delegation Raises Concerns with Upcoming Hearing on Fishing Waters

WASHINGTON, DC (January 29, 2016) — After hearing directly from concerned Connecticut fishermen about legislation that would remap the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in Long Island Sound, the Congressional Delegation has penned a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans of the House Committee on Natural Resources requesting that stakeholders from Connecticut be included in a hearing next week on H.R. 3070, the EEZ Clarification Act—legislation that would redesignate 150 square miles of federal EEZ waters in the vicinity of Block Island Sound as New York and Rhode Island state waters.

"It seems unreasonable to us that a decision of this magnitude, which will have a significant impact on Connecticut fishermen would be made without any input from stakeholders in our state," said the delegation members. "This change would prevent Connecticut fishermen and lobstermen from harvesting in waters around Block Island Sound as they have done for decades, unless first obtaining costly permits from New York or Rhode Island. We believe that this misguided legislation was crafted strategically to benefit certain states while disproportionately harming the Connecticut fishing industry. At the very least, any consideration of this bill going forward should include voices from all areas that would be impacted by this change – including from our state."

Robert Klee, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said: "Connecticut's objections to this bill extend well beyond striped bass management which seems to be at the core of this bill. Connecticut commercial fishermen operate in what are now federal waters (EEZ) under federal fishery permits. If these federal waters become state waters divided between the states of New York (NY) and Rhode Island (RI), access to these waters will be lost to these Connecticut Commercial fishermen. This is already the case for lobstermen fishing in any waters that fall under RI jurisdiction as that state prohibits non-residents from fishing for lobsters in their waters."

Joseph Gilbert, Owner of Stonington-based Empire Fisheries, said: "I have engaged my colleagues and fellow fishermen regarding H.R. 3070 and we collectively oppose the passage of this bill. H.R 3070, if passed, would result in approximately 150 square miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone in and around Block Island Sound being transferred to the states of New York and Rhode Island for the purposes of fisheries management. This transfer of authority over such a vast area of the Exclusive Economic Zone constitutes a land grab by New York and Rhode Island in addition to the improper reallocation of fishing rights amongst current users."

If passed, this legislation would move the EEZ eastward to a new landward boundary between Montauk, New York and Point Judith, Rhode Island. Additionally, the redesignation of these federal waters as state waters would cause significant changes to the management of the striped bass fish stocks in Long Island Sound.

Congressman Lee Zeldin of Long Island, NY introduced H.R. 3070 in July of 2015. The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans will hold a legislative hearing on the EEZ Clarification Act on February 2, 2016.

To see the final delegation letter, click here.

To see a letter from Commissioner Robert Klee, click here.

To see a letter from Joseph Gilbert, click here.

###