OK I figured it out. Registration in the NYS DEC system is free but you must register. You can do this online, by telephone or at an authorised retail outlet.
If you had/have a lifetime saltwater license, yo do not need to register.
If you renewed your 1 year saltwater licensed for 2011, you do not need to register.
If you had a license that expired last year as mall of them did ( in October), you MUST register.
In addition, you will have to register every year.
If the legislature does not vote to extend the registration process before it expires in Dec 2013, you will be required to obtain a NY Saltwater ( Coastal Marine) license at a cost.