Sag Harbor - Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) praised a decision by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to provide a longer recreational fluke (also known as summer flounder) for 2010. Last year, the DEC imposed a mid-season break for the fluke season citing the need for species conservation. This year, the season will run continuously through Labor Day.

"I am pleased that the DEC has proposed this longer, more traditional season," said Assemblyman Thiele. "Although I am fully supportive of efforts which preserve our fishing stock, these actions should have minimal impacts on the fishing industry. Each day, fishermen are forced to comply with a new rule or regulation and we need to provide opportunities which will continue to encourage people to fish in our waters and not somewhere else. New York must focus its efforts on assisting the marine industry, not creating more roadblocks and regulation."

According to the DEC, the Marine Resources Advisory Council must approve the season, due to run from May 15 through September 6. If anyone would like to submit comments on the plan, they are invited to send comments to: fwmarine@gw.dec.state.ny.us with the subject line "2010 Fluke," or to Stephen Heins, NYS DEC Marine Resources, 205 Belle Mead Road, Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11773.

For additional information, go to www.www.dec.ny.gov.