"So what's a Sportfishing Education Center?"
It's a genuinely unique concept. Consider the following, from the NYFTTA
organization's mission statement:
"The intent of the New York Fishing Tackle Trade Association Inc. (NYFTTA) is to work
with public officials and regulators regarding our recreational fisheries. We will
continue to voice our concerns about any legislation affecting our business.
"Our organization is the first in New York State that addresses fishery management
issues from the viewpoint of the recreational fishing trade. The NYFTTA introduces into
fisheries negotiation the recognition of an industry in addition to the presence of
sportsmen. It is especially important to promote the sport of recreational fishing to our
youth. We have seen that fishing heightens awareness of our aquatic environment,
especially among children.
"Other issues this association will continue to address are beach and boat ramp
access, to promote recreational fishing through tourism as well as internal problems that
may hinder our growth."
Now, bring in Bob Sweeney of Lindenhurst. Assemblyman Sweeney has a long history of
supporting issues and causes of concern to the recreational angling community on Long
Island. As a skilled legislator, he saw an opportunity not only to aid the NYFTTA mission,
but also to assist researchers and the recreational angling public at large. Through his
efforts, he has secured funding to make the following possible to make The Sportfishing
Education Center possible.
The center will provide an arena for promoting the sport of saltwater angling and angling
ethics, including catch-and release-fishing. As the name states, the goal of the
Sportfishing Education Center will be to educate, especially children, about our marine
resources and ecosystems, in the hope that those who visit will develop a heightened
awareness of our marine environment.
The Sportfishing Education Center will also house a fishing museum, exhibiting the
progression of tackle throughout the years, and a fishing library.
The Center will also operate a rod-and-reel loaner program, similar to one already in
place at the Patchogue-Medford Library.
Also on the premises will be a killie aqua-culture demonstration facility, which will be
used to determine the feasibility of raising killifish for the marketplace, in lieu of
drawing upon the resource. Killifish are used as bait, as a scientific research tool, and
also as a natural mosquito control in our wetlands. One day, this research program may
even set the groundwork for a fin-fish restocking plan, helping to replenish some of our
inshore species.
The site will also serve as a venue for public hearings and a meeting place for interested
groups.
To complement the Sportfishing Education Center, the nearby Pier to Nowhere will be
completed to the State Channel, allowing anglers the opportunity to access some of the
finest fishing grounds in New York.
A $425,000 Community Enhancement/Economic Development Grant secured by Assemblyman Bob
Sweeney represents an unprecedented acknowledgment of the importance of the saltwater
recreational fishing industry, which contributes over $1 billion dollars to the economy of
New York.
Sweeney has always been a leader in conserving our marine resources. He has a rare ability
to combine commerce and conservation, and a recent NYFTTA press release states, "The
recreational fishing community owes Assemblyman Sweeney a debt of gratitude."
While construction work was still open for bid as of last month, groundbreaking for the
site is on the schedule for October 12, 1999. There are many things besides construction
yet to do before the Center can open, including the hiring of a staff.
The Center is seen as a focal point for developing and offering tours of nearby marine
resources, as well as hosting educational programs. This rare combination of meeting
space, library, museum, audio-visual resources, and research facility, coupled with an
on-the-water location, will make the Center a truly unique place to nurture and educate
the recreational anglers of the next millennium.
While the initial $425,000 Community Enhancement/Economic Development Grant is to be used
for the initial construction of the facility and pier and is to be administered by the
Town of Babylon, which will also be responsible for maintenance and utilities, NYFTTA will
be responsible for ongoing management, and has addressed the need for an operating budget,
drafting an initial annual budget of $127,700.
The money will be used to hire a Project Coordinator who will be responsible for
coordinating activities at the Center, scheduling visits by schools and interested groups,
promoting the Center's activities, and also conducting fishing clinics with visitors.
Also in the budget is an Educator with knowledge of both aqua-culture and saltwater
angling, who must also have the ability to promote the sport of recreational fishing.
The NY State Grant alone would be insufficient to complete pier construction because most
work would have to be done manually. Due to the fragile wetland environment, use of heavy
equipment is prohibited. When it's completed, the pier should accommodate twenty to thirty
anglers at a time. Additional funds to provide lights for nighttime fishing access and
bait wells are also in the budget.
The Saltwater Rod-and-Reel Loaner Program at the Patchogue/ Medford Library was a success,
and several Nassau, Suffolk, and NYC libraries have expressed interest in starting similar
programs. The program hopes to operate in ten locations with fifty loaner combos per
available per site, including the Center itself. Offering modified fishing equipment for
handicapped use is also a possibility.
While costs will be the responsibility of each
loaner location, NYFTTA member businesses will be responsible for maintaining the
equipment.
Additional funding to provide for office supplies, computer equipment, and library
materials, as well as advertising dollars to promote the Center and the production of a
video aimed at attracting school groups to the Center are also in the budget, as is
funding to cover fees imposed by Babylon Town, including covering fees for use of the
Center by underprivileged groups.
While NYFTTA is composed of member businesses, it recognizes and hears the voice of its
constituency - namely recreational anglers - and NYFTTA has decided that the
administration of the Center's budget, as well as the hiring of both the Project
Coordinator and Educator, will be done by its Sportsmen's Advisory Committee. This is a
group of local citizens outside of the bait and tackle industry who have been selected for
a variety of skills and experiences to assist NYFTTA and offer suggestions and opinions.
It's sort of a Fish Think Tank, if you will. Committee members work on a volunteer basis,
and I'm pleased to say that I am one of the board's members.
NYFTTA is actively soliciting donations to help meet the budget by working through private
donations, funds from its annual Fish-A-Thon season-long tournament, and also from
corporate America.
John Mantione, president of NYFTTA, said that the Center is truly a unique endeavor, and
the effort has been acknowledged and praised by national organizations such as UFA (United
Fishing Association), RFA (Recreational Fishing Alliance), and CCA (Coastal Conservation
Association) of NY.
"The Center will be a year-round facility, almost a world within itself, dedicated to
nurturing the recreational anglers of the next millennium," John said. Located on the
bay side of Cedar Beach in Babylon Town, the Center will be accessed via Ocean Parkway.
Babylon Town parking fees will be in effect from July 4 through Labor Day.
Recreational anglers will not only have an opportunity to learn the How-To of enjoying
fishing, they will also gain a history of the sport through the library and museum
facilities.
Facility space will include a 33-by-20 foot meeting room, a 13-by-8 foot library, a
40-by-25 foot Cedar Deck overlooking the State Channel and Great South Bay, and a 38-by-20
foot research laboratory/shop space for use by Sea-Grant which will permanently run the
aqua-culture facility, and also assist in the educational programs.
Of course, there's also the hands-on experiences, or in this case, just having fun
fishing.
With the Pier To Nowhere completed, anglers will have the promises of excellent
opportunities to catch winter flounder, fluke, striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish.
Perhaps it should be renamed the Pier to the Future.
Speaking for NYFTTA, John Mantione said, "Not only do we have a vested interest as
business people, but we believe that activity in recreational fishing yields the best
stewards of the resource."
So that's what a Sportfishing Education Center is all about. Some have suggested it needs
a more distinct name. Half-jokingly, John Mantione suggested "Bob's Place."
Certainly, the excellent efforts of both NY State Assemblyman Bob Sweeney and the NYFTTA
organization are to be commended and will no doubt be long-remembered for such a good
thing as this.
Remember that the Center isn't going to be there to make money, but rather to uphold what
so many of us cherish - recreational fishing. Personally, I'd be willing to raise some
bucks for a nameplate on one of the pier pilings in remembrance of an angler or two who
taught me how to fish.
Many individuals and groups have expressed interest in helping, not only to raise funds,
but also to donate equipment and a variety of services. If you have any ideas or interests
in this area, NYFTTA invites you to contact Melissa Dearborn, Executive Director, at
516-385-8284, or via e-mail to regalmar@optonline.net |
