Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Will Help Long Island For-Hire Fishing Fleets Modernize Their Data Collection Systems

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE) Marine Program has launched an initiative designed to modernize information assortment techniques utilized by greater than 240 for-hire marine fishing allow holders throughout Lengthy Island.

This program, often known as the eVTR (Digital Vessel Journey Reporting) venture, will scale back information assortment burdens on fishermen by simplifying the necessary reporting course of. Furthermore, this system will improve the standard, timeliness and accessibility of fisheries information to be used by fleet managers and policymakers.

For-hire fishermen function vessels which can be employed by people or teams for leisure fishing journeys. This consists of celebration boats and constitution boats. They primarily catch fluke, scup, black sea bass, striped bass, blackfish, and bluefish in New York State waters inside three miles of shore.

The modernization venture is funded by a $300,000 grant from the Nationwide Fish and Wildlife Basis. The inspiration was chartered by Congress in 1984 to extend assets obtainable for the conservation of the nation’s fish, wildlife, crops, and habitats.

“Leisure fishing has lengthy performed an vital function within the historical past, tradition, and financial system of Lengthy Island,” stated Vanessa Lockel, Government Director of CCE Suffolk. “However to stay aggressive, our fishermen must undertake trendy applied sciences. By serving to to replace their information assortment techniques, CCE Suffolk will play a hand in constructing a safer and environment friendly future for our fishing sector.”

Marine leisure fishing journeys supported 5,739 full- or part-time jobs and contributed $473 million in gross sales, $209 million in earnings, and $363 million in gross home earnings to the New York State financial system in 2017, the final 12 months for which figures can be found.

The state’s for-hire sector faces many challenges, together with strict rules in respect to fish measurement, bag limits, and seasonal restrictions. The fleets’ revenue margins are additionally being squeezed by elevated prices related to gas, upkeep and restore, and fishing gear. As well as, patronage has been declining as a result of mandatory fare will increase.  

State-licensed celebration and constitution allow holders – in addition to business harvesters — are required to submit month-to-month vessel journey stories of all fishing actions to the state Division of Environmental Conservation in addition to federal businesses. Information embody data on catch, journey size, sellers, and different gadgets. Whereas this information have historically been recorded and submitted on paper, the state is presently transitioning to digital reporting. The eVTR venture will equip fishermen to efficiently make this vital change.

The CCE Marine employees will primarily present expertise, coaching and technical help for an digital reporting system known as the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program’s eTrips program. By means of a sequence of outreach and coaching occasions, CCE employees will information fishermen on the use, adoption and registration of the system. Contributors may even obtain ongoing technical help as wanted. To additional ease the burden of digital reporting, CCE will distribute 150 iPads to taking part fishermen.   

The CCE workforce may even be aiding New York State meals fish license holders who want to voluntarily report electronically. 

About Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County

Established in 1917, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk) is a non-profit neighborhood training company that works to protect the county’s agricultural assets, marine life, defend our eco-systems, help households, present neighborhood service alternatives for youth, and advance research-based training in science, expertise, engineering, and math (STEM).

Affiliated with Cornell College as a part of the nationwide land grant college system, CCE Suffolk’s employees consists of educators, researchers, specialists, and help personnel who’re devoted to creating Suffolk County a fascinating place to reside and work.

CCE Suffolk is a subordinate governmental company with an academic mission that operates beneath an organizational mannequin authorised by Cornell College as agent for the State of New York.

Extra data is on the market at http://ccesuffolk.org/.