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Saltwater fishing license fee eliminated from budget

KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO  |  A commercial fishing boat docked in Greenport.
KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO | A commercial fishing boat docked in Greenport.

A saltwater fishing license fee that East End towns successfully fought against after it was enacted in 2009 was officially eliminated as part of the state budget, New York State Senator Ken LaValle announced Tuesday.

The state Legislature repealed the controversial license in 2011 and registration was guaranteed to be free for the next two years.

“For many in our region, fishing is a way of life,” Mr. LaValle said in a statement. “Mandating a license placed a burden on individuals and families who have fished our local waters for generations. I voted against the license law and fee when it was part of the 2009 budget and I’m happy to see the demise of what was essentially a hidden tax.”

The Senate passed a portion of the state budget Sunday, which included a provision to eliminate the saltwater license fee permanently.

The $10 license for anglers age 16 or older was originally implemented by the Department of Environmental Conservation in October 2009.

Previous Coverage: Legislature sinks saltwater fishing license