Cuomo signs bill to increase fishing clinics | Environment

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation making it easier for New Yorkers to experience fishing for the first time. The legislation increases the number of free fishing clinics across the state.

The clinics, conducted by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, help introduce families to recreational angling. Participants are not required to have a fishing license in order to attend these clinics.

Previously, only four clinics could be held each year in each DEC region and required the instruction to be by DEC employees.

Today’s law not only allows for more clinics, it authorizes other entities to conduct fishing clinics with DEC authorization.

It is estimated that the sport fishing industry in New York generates $1.8 billion and over 17,000 jobs.