State Assemblyman Fred Thiele and State Senator Ken LaValle today announced that Governor Cuomo has signed their legislation establishing a series of roundtable discussions with relevant stakeholders to address the economic growth and sustainability of New York State's seafood and aquaculture industries. These industries are a rich and vibrant part of New York's history and contribute significantly to the State's economic vitality; however, they have undergone significant changes in recent years and will be faced with many challenges in the years ahead. This legislation recognizes their contributions and seeks to provide insight into them through a series of roundtable discussions.

The meetings will be headed by representatives of the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Economic Development, and the State Department of State. They will include key stakeholders, such as representatives from the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, New York Sea Grant Program, and the Cornell Cooperative Extension, as well as a trade organization for seafood issues, aquaculturists, and New York-based retailers of seafood products, among others.

The meetings will address the following issues:

• Methods to increase the resources and information available to support New York's local fishermen, aquaculturists and related small businesses to ensure the best possible economic and environmental outcomes for the continued growth of the seafood industry and the creation of more locally produced sustainable food systems in the State of New York
• Methods to promote the marketing and sustainability of New York seafood, such as: (a) Identifying barriers that prevent and/or inhibit local seafood marketing initiatives and growth; (b) Identifying and facilitating opportunities to increase consumer demand for local seafood; (c) Identifying and facilitating opportunities to establish agreements with local fishermen and seafood dealers for potential seafood market place expansion; (d) Identifying and working with federal and state entities to prevent seafood mislabeling and keep illegally caught fish out of New York's seafood markets, while providing more information to consumers about their seafood purchases;
• Review of existing studies, pilot programs and initiatives of this state and other states regarding best seafood marketing practices; and
• Potential educational opportunities that may be provided for consumers and the seafood and aquaculture community regarding the importance of New York's seafood industry and seafood issues and initiatives.

The first of the roundtable discussions will convene on or before September 1, 2018, with at least two taking place on Long Island. The state agencies will subsequently provide a written report of their findings identifying any proposed recommendations that may address research, marketing, and expansion opportunities for local seafood. The report will be provided to the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Temporary President of the Senate by September 30, 2019.

“The fishing and seafood industry is critical to the vitality of both the Long Island and New York State economies. It is imperative that these industries be competitive and sustainable,” Assemblyman Thiele stated. “Also important, is growing New York State’s market share of the increasing demand for seafood. Whether it is the commercial fisherman, aquaculturists, seafood wholesalers or processors, restaurants, or seafood stores, the future of these small businesses is critical to the heritage and the future of Long Island. These roundtable discussions will ensure that New York State aggressively pursues policies to insure that they thrive.”

Senator Ken LaValle said, “The fishing industry is a significant part of the fabric of the East End. It is essential that we provided the proper assistance and tools to enable this community to thrive. Assemblyman Thiele and I continually advocate for this vital industry. The roundtable meetings will serve to provide valuable input into the process. I am confident the NY Seafood Marketing Task Force will stimulate activity for this important economic segment.”