AKWESASNE -- The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is continuing to take steps that safeguard the inherent and protected right of Akwesasne residents to fish in Akwesasne’s territorial waters.

To support this effort, a Non-Member Fishing Regulation and Law was developed and implemented through Tribal Council Resolution 2011-52.

In 2014, the Non-Member Fishing Regulations and Law was amended in collaboration with tribal fishermen to strengthen the protection of Akwesasne’s natural resources.

At the request of local residents, the Tribe’s Compliance Department has proposed additional amendments to further enhance the protected right of community members to fish in Akwesasne’s waters.

The proposed amendments include establishing a season for Non-Members to fish in Akwesasne’s territorial waters and setting catch limits, as well as an increase in fishing permit fees.

To share more information on the proposed amendments, two consultation meetings have been scheduled for tribal members to join -- either virtually or in-person.

The consultation meetings will be held on Jan. 18 and 25 beginning at 5 p.m. for each session.

The in-person meetings will take place in the first-floor meeting room at the Tribal Administration Building, 71 Margaret Terrance Memorial Way.

Those wishing to join virtually must register in advance at https://bit.ly/3iChGnD.

The proposed amendments will be presented at each meeting, as well as made available to view on the Tribal Members Portal.

They are also available from the Tribal Clerk’s Office or the Office of the General Counsel by calling 518-358-2272, or you may also visit their offices located at Ionkwakiohkwaróron.

Following the two consultation meetings, members will have until Feb. 10, to submit written comments or concerns for the proposed amendments by emailing them to public.comment@srmt.nsn.gov, or by mailing or delivering them in-person to: Office of the Tribal Clerk, Ionkwakiohkwaronon Tribal Administration Building, 71 Margaret Terrance Memorial Way, Akwesasne, New York 13655.

For more information, contact the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Compliance Department at 518-358-2273.