The major disadvantages to the above measures include socio- 

 political opposition to the reopening of commercial fishing areas, conflicts 

 between commercial and recreational fishermen over the use of existing beds, 

 and the economic costs of reopening or revitalizing shellfish beds. However, 

 even though these disadvantages must be considered, it appears that benefits 

 would be high. Combined urLth a comprehensive management/research program and 

 increased assistance programs to the commercial fisherman (i.e., more sophis- 

 ticated equipment), benefits of fishery improvements of $4.4 million per year 

 (projected $88 million for the next 20 years) could be feasible due to in- 

 creased sustainable landings. 



Another method to increase fishing opportunities is to construct 

 fishing piers. Much of the recreational fishing demand for the LIS region 

 occurs in the western regions of the Sound where access and facilities are 

 limited. Fishing piers would help to satisfy a portion of this recreational 

 demand, particularly for the urban fisherman, including children, who cannot 

 afford a private boat and expensive equipment. Some fishing piers should be 

 located at State parks, thus eliminating the need for providing additional 

 parking facilities. Others should be located in selected urban areas and 

 to^ms where parking and/or transportation facilities are available and where 

 interest in such construction is determined to be high. 



About the only objection to this measure is the cost of construction 

 which ranges between $75,000 and $l75,000/pier depending on materials used and 

 the length and shape of the pier. Also, maintenance costs contribute to the 

 overall cost of a pier. Subsidization monies may be available to local govern- 

 ments, particularly for piers within tol^7n or village jurisdictiono Benefits 

 are expected to outweigh costs. Some adverse environmental effects associated 

 with pier construction are expected, but long-term impacts are considered neg- 

 ligible. 



Promote underutilized finfish and shellfish specieso Promotion of 

 underutilized finfish (cunner, sea robin, dogfish) will open new resources to 

 the sport and commercial fishermen, particularly the urban fisherman. One 

 method to promote the use of these species would be to establish a public 

 educational program which would include distribution of (1) pamphlets which 

 could be used for identification of the species and (2) other brochures regarding 

 the various ways to prepare, cook, and serve the fish. Utilization of these 

 species should help to alleviate the pressures placed on the presently desirable 

 species which may in the future be at levels in which the demand exceeds the 

 supply. Promotion of underutilized shellfish (mussels, conch, and squid) would 

 also widen the market available to the public. 



No major objections to this program are foreseen. 



Establish/ expand port landing facilities . The north shore of 

 Long Island has three harbors with active finfish landing facilities (Green- 

 port, Port Jefferson, and Mattituck) and eight harbors (Port Washington, 



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