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Spearfishing Regulations This area is for the topic of existing or proposed Spearfishing Regulations.

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Old 05-16-2012, 03:32 PM   #1
Bill Pfeiffer
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NY State Spearfishing Regulations

May 16, 2012

Hi Folks,



Most New York area divers are probably aware that over the last year there has been quite a bit of confusion, and the usual internet chatter, regarding New York State spearfishing laws. Scrutiny of existing law came as the result of new legislation that was introduced pertaining to Striped Bass spearfishing only, and in the process of examining existing law it was discovered that current regulations are practically impossible to interpret. While it seems clear that spearfishing for gamefish in NY waters is perfectly legal, there is a gray area surrounding the use of spearguns, so much so that the NYSDEC has not been willing to issue a formal statement as to the legality of their use. While there are currently no enforcement efforts being made, there have also been no apparent efforts to clarify the regulations.



Considering the 60 plus year history of spearfishing with spearguns in NY State and elsewhere, and the fact that spearfishing is considered to be the most environmentally friendly method of harvesting fish, with virtually no by-catch or unwanted mortality, we decided that it was time to make an effort to clarify the regulations and protect spearfisher's rights, once and for all.



We approached New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele and explained the situation, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that he was already aware of our predicament, and more important, he was eager to help. He asked us point blank what would make us happy, a very simple question to answer. All we wanted was a new law that made it quite clear that spearguns were legal to recreationally harvest all species of marine gamefish in New York. All other regulations pertaining to size and season would remain exactly the same as those pertaining to our brothers and sisters using a rod and reel. Working with Assemblyman Thiele's Executive Assistant Laura Stephenson, we crafted a new Bill that would do just that, and we are pleased to announce that Assemblyman Thiele recently introduced Bill A10109 in the New York State Assembly.



This is great news for the entire dive community, from us divers to the businesses that survive by providing us support, from dives shops and dive charter boats to equipment manufacturers. But it does not mean that our work is done, not by a long shot. Having a Bill introduced in the Assembly is just the beginning of the process, and we need your help to push this down the road. At this time we need the dive community to rally 'round and help us find a sponsor in the New York State Senate, and to make your voice heard by all of your elected officials. At some point in the future this Bill will come up for a vote, and our efforts will be critical in determining its success.



You can use these links to find the contact information for your elected officials. Please get in touch with them as soon as possible and let them know that protecting a diver's right to use a speargun is important to you. Original mailed letters are the most effective way to do so, but if your schedule will not allow you to do this then emails and phone calls are effective too. If all else fails you could simply forward this email to your State Representatives in the Assembly and the Senate, I'm sure that they will get the idea.



New York State Senate



New York State Assembly



For more information, see our feature article in the June issue of Northeast Dive News



Bill Pfeiffer

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Northeast Dive News
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Old 05-16-2012, 06:34 PM   #2
LIfishslayer
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Re: NY State Spearfishing Regulations

Thanks for posting about this. I will be breaking out the good stationary for these letters.
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Old 09-22-2014, 06:51 AM   #3
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Re: NY State Spearfishing Regulations

what ever happened to this?
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Old 09-25-2014, 02:56 PM   #4
njdiver
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Re: NY State Spearfishing Regulations

Quote:
Originally Posted by nilsonov View Post
what ever happened to this?
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?def...&Memo=Y&Text=Y

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?def...&Memo=Y&Text=Y
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Last edited by njdiver; 10-17-2014 at 08:37 AM.
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Old 11-19-2014, 08:44 AM   #5
Riptide
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Re: NY State Spearfishing Regulations

Linda B. Rosenthal looks like the only hold up for sustainable living in NY....I believe this she is the only one who voted no.

http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Linda-B-Rosenthal
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