Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney
70-B North Wellwood Ave.
Lindenhurst, NY  11757-3708

Recreational fisherman have long been among New York's strongest proponents of marine conservation.  Yet misguided environmental organizations are currently pushing to severely restrict recreational fishing by creating networks of no fishing marine protected areas (MPA's) off our coasts.  Such closures would have a devastating impact on quality of life for millions of recreational fisherman and coastal economies with little, if any, conservation benefit.

I urge you to endorse the NEW YORK FREEDOM TO FISH ACT (A.7299), which recognizes the social and economic importance of recreational fishing and establishes standards that must be met before no fishing MPA's can be implemented in New York's marine water.

Sincerely,

I FISH, I VOTE