Hope this clarifies it. Sorry for the vagueness.
www.dec.ny.gov/permits/54950.html
Recreational Marine Fishing Registry
On March 31, 2011, New York State Legislature established a no-fee recreational marine fishing registry to take place of the recreational marine fishing license that was previously implemented in October 2009. The new no-fee registry legislation was signed with a "sunset clause," which is set to expire on December 31, 2013. This means that if the New York State Legislature does not take further action to continue the registry after the expiration date, the recreational marine license will be implemented again.