Nephew of Late Fisherman Denied as Permit Heir

The nephew of an 85-year-old fishing captain who died last month in the waters of the Shinnecock Inlet will not be entitled as an heir to his fishing permits, due to state environmental law that requires heirs beyond immediate family to live in the same house as the person passing them down.

According to Newsday, Hampton Bays fisherman Norman Stiansen had his licenses for striped bass, fluke, crabs, lobster and conch rejected by the Department of Environmental Conservation following the death of his uncle, Stian Stiansen, on May 12. Stian was well-known in the local fishing community, and his nephew told Newsday that the DEC's unwillingness to work with him was disappointing.

According to a May 28 latter from the DEC, Stian Stiansen had filed paperwork in March designating his nephew as the heir to his permits. However he did not get a final determination from the department before his death.

"It's a shame because this is what Long Island is about: the farming, the fishing the hardworking community," Norman Stiansen told the paper. He reportedly was hoping to pass the permits down to his son.

Stian Stiansen's vessel, the Pauline IV, capsized in the waters of the Shinnecock Canal last month. While Eastport resident Scott Finne was pulled to shore alive by a Sea Tow boat, Stiansen was unable to be found in the rocky waters. He was 85 when he died.

A DEC spokeswoman pointed to their original letter to Norman Stiansen when asked for comment.

The May 28 letter reads: "The Department has carefully reviewed your request for reissuance of your late uncle's commercial licenses and, regretfully, has determined that we are unable to approve the reissuance of your late uncle's licenses to you. 

"It is unfortunate that the Department cannot approve your request for license reissuance, and we extend our deepest sympathies for your loss."

Click here to read Newsday's article.