9. AIL lobster traps shall incorporate an escape vent 

 of a size adequate to minimize retention of sublegal 

 lobsters. 



10. All fishermen and primary dealers shall be licensed 

 and shall be required to keep daily records of their 

 activities on forms provided by the licensing agency, 



4 



These recommendations of the Lobster Scientific Committee, under 

 the auspices of the Northeast Marine Fisheries Council, should be evaluated 

 for Long Island Sound by both New York and Connecticut. If these recommendations 

 are found to be biologically justifiable, they should be accepted. 



6.5 Measures to increase the economic value and public enjoyment of the Sound 



Improve access for fishing . Recreational salt-water finfishing 

 demand is estimated at 9o8 million fishermen-days and is expected to increase 

 significantly over the next 50 years to 17 million fishermen-days. One method 

 of accommodating the increased numbers of fishermen is to provide additional 

 access points for fishingo Existing sea walls, groins, and jetties provide 

 excellent fishing, provided they are accessible. Some power plants and other 

 industrial facilities also have suitable fishing access points, but usually 

 these points are not open to the general public. Another method to improve 

 fishing access, particularly for children, low income groups, and the urban 

 fisherman, is to increase the numbers of fishing piers along the Sound shore- 

 line. Also, additional charter and party boat facilities could provide increased 

 fishing access without increasing private boat ownership and marine develop- 

 ment. 



Since federal funds have been used to build some jetties and 

 groins in the LISS area, general public access should be available. However, 

 many of these areas are inaccessible due to private land o;^7nership, and legal 

 difficulties are anticipated in obtaining public access. 



Improve availability of fishing grounds. Recreational and commercial 

 shellfishing could be improved if water quality were upgraded. Improved oppor- 

 tunities for shellfishing can be accomplished by revitalizing existing beds 

 (bottom restoration), developing new beds, and employing improved aquaculture 

 techniques such as raft culture, modernized depuration techniques, and improved 

 hatchery methods. Recreational shellfishing could be enhanced through the 

 cooperative efforts of commercial interests in restoring depleted areas for 

 public use. 



4 

 Precepts enacted upon in August, 1972 by the Lobster Scientific Committee. 



44 



