UPDATE: Wilkinson Reels in Montauk Captains' Endorsement

The Montauk Boatmen's and Captain's Association has endorsed Supervisor Bill Wilkinson, who is seeking re-election, and the entire Republican slate, the East Hampton Republican committee announced.

The announcement was made at a at on Thursday. 

The association president Ricky Etzel, who has been a member since 1978, said, according to the announcement, "Bill Wilkinson has been a friend to the fishing community in Montauk, and has spearheaded and rejuvenated the Fishery Committee's efforts to be heard regarding the State and Federal regulations which must be changed in order for us to sustain and keep the fishing industry alive not only in Montauk, but in the whole Town."

Etzel, the captain of , was appointed the chairman of the committee in 2010. In early 2011, the committee hired a new fisheries' consultant, Eric Braun, to have its voice heard at the state and federal level, after the .

Reached on Monday night, Etzel said, "Bill stays pretty involve in the fishing community since he got in office." He said he and former president Joe McBride, captain of the My Mate, who he said is hte association's political director, made the decision.