NYFTTA Board of Directors Meeting
Held at the Sportfishing Education Center, Cedar Beach Marina
March 11, 2003

7:30 PM: Pledge of Allegiance and attendance taken.

Minutes from January 30, 2003 were read and accepted.

Treasurer's report is not ready as John Brando is away.

The Riverhead Foundation had a Fundraiser with 300 people in attendance.
They have helped us here at the Center.

Bob Sweeney received a 1st Annual Environmental Award.

Tomorrow Steve Sloan will hold a meeting about the value of the "Recreational Community".

Bill # 4124 was proposed by Assemblyman Englebright for Marine Protected
Areas (MPA). A Task Force would decide what areas need to be restored and
give DEC the authority to close those areas. Bob Sweeney will draft a Bill-
"Freedom to Fish Act" ( see press release dated Feb. 6, 2003).

Regarding the Bluepoint property- 11,500 acres: running from the east side of Heckscher to Bluepoint. The bottom of the Bay is under the control of the Nature Conservancy. A committee will be put together to decide what to do with the property. John Fritz has worked with the Nature Conservancy and will meet with them again.  The Nature Conservancy is looking for input. We do not control the water column- only the bottom. Bring back the clams and eel grass.

According to ASMFC regarding winter flounder: they now determine it to be over fished. Some conferences were held last year and the harvest will still be restricted.

Jack Ferrera reported that Cornell was worried about losing their funding.
The Federal Govt. Gave funding but outreach work with the Charter and Party boat Business must show viable improvements within twelve months.

There was a meeting with Congressman Tim Bishop which was positive. He wants
to know more about the Recreational Industry.  John Mantione will try to attend his Open House on Friday.

Keith Jacks is a Lobbyist for RFA in Albany and is interested with working with the Recreational Community.

Proposal 2 (see enclosure Lobbyist Bill).  Passed.

The License Plate has been altered and is undergoing a change right now.

Melissa spoke regarding the MRAC: Scup 10", 50 fish with a year round season.
Fluke 17", 8 fish with no closed season. Striped Bass April 15th. This is not
yet signed in Albany. Perhaps the size limit on weakfish will go down to 14"-
these regulations will be done legislatively. There are new shark regulations: a permit is now required for shark fishing. The permit comes from the National Marine Fisheries and includes shark, tuna swordfish and billfish. It costs $ 22.00 per year.

Petitioners: tentative approval has been given to Ray Bogan and Herb Moore to
sign our name onto this petition. #7 has been removed and Melissa made a motion to accept the Petition with #7 removed. Motion passed.

Blackfish should become a recreational fish. We are gathering support.

The Bait Bill is in the process of getting worked on.

Fundraising: As soon as we get the current regulations Linda will order the rulers.

Education Center: We can accept Corporate Money. Chris from Cornell has
some really nice exhibits in Riverhead. We will try to get them set up here.
Cornell has now moved in to the Sportfishing Education Center.

The brochures for the Summer Camp Program have been printed.

We are waiting for the Certificate of Occupancy on the building. The Inspector from the Health Dept. gave us a walk thru and said everything looks O.K.

We are working on some Grants.
Financial Committee: (see Policy and Positions)

BACCA considers fishing part of Long Island's heritage. Motion to accept and
passed.

The Sportfishing Alliance will meet March 18th.

A request from Causeway Bait & Tackle to look into the Jones Beach Piers.
John Fritz stated that everything is on hold until the State inspects the Piers.

Regarding the Park District: certain parks will only be open five days per week and some of the camping will be shut down. Ginny Fields formed a committee and is looking for alternate funding for the Suffolk County Parks.
It was brought up that a $ 20.00 allotment could be put on the Tax Bill so every resident would pay for the upkeep of Suffolk County Parks.

Dates for Casting for Recovery: July 17, Sept 12 and tentatively Oct. 17.
We are in the process of getting the money for this.

Financial Report from Glenn of the Reef Committee: $ 377.00 total for 3 days
at the Freeport Show. $ 1150.00 has been raised so far. NYFTTA will have a
booth at the Sportsman's Show in Brentwood on March 28th thru the 30th.
$ 15,00.00 is needed for the South Haven Park demonstration Hatchery.

I Fish NY Programs: (see enclosure) Please help out at these events.

Freshwater Advisory Meeting to be held March 17th.

A Proposed Regulations Change Response Form Freshwater Questionnaire has
been handed out. Fill out and mail in .

Lenora Daniel is now working for South Shore Estuaries and may be helpful to us.

Proposal1-3.11.03 (see enclosure) Passed.

Officers and Directors for the Annual Meeting Ballot for April 1st.  The slate passed.

Save the Sound wants a stewardship system - this would be a conglomeration
of organizations that are soliciting help for recreational purposes. We are invited March 27th 1:00 PM at the Co Op Ext. The Audobon and Fish & Wildlife
Service are members of this.

At the Charterboat Conference Tony De Lernia said he wants to meet with us
to discuss a proposal for a 1 % + tax on the sale of bait to be used to purchase
commercial fisheries allocations.

A Fundraiser was attended for County Clerk Ed Romaine. He is involved in
access issues in Suffolk County. Warrren Ferdinandsen is a member of the
Suffolk Alliance of Sportsmen and the Freshwater Advisories Committee.
April 1st Agenda: Everyone please look at the Northeast Angling Film and
give our endorsement.

Andy Lo Cascio and Rich T. from R & G wants to get the excitement back into
fishing. Their show will cover fishing from New Jersey to Maine. It will be mainly inshore, nearshore and saltwater. They stressed that this show is not a self promotion.

Meeting Adjourned 10 PM.