Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 200, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, which would be a significant step back from the years of progress made in effective fisheries management under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. H.R. 200 would undermine the use of science that has been so successful in rebuilding fish stocks and preventing overfishing in federal waters.
More than 190 House Representatives voted against this harmful bill, and the Marine Fish Conservation Network and its partners would like to thank those House Representatives for their leadership in support of fish, fishermen, and all Americans who value healthy fisheries.
“The Marine Fish Conservation Network extends our gratitude to those Representatives who listened to the needs and voices of commercial fishermen, anglers, seafood consumers, businesses, and coastal communities across the U.S. and voted against H.R. 200. On behalf of our coalition of commercial and recreational fishing associations, regional and national conservation groups, aquaria, and marine science organizations, thank you to all 193 House Representatives who voted NO on H.R. 200. We greatly appreciate your leadership in maintaining a strong Magnuson-Stevens Act in order to ensure healthy oceans and productive fisheries for generations to come.”
Robert C. Vandermark and Tom Sadler
Marine Fish Conservation Network
“To all the West Coast members of Congress who voted no on H.R.200 and stood up to the political pressure to put profits over people and sustainability: thank you! Many of you spent significant amounts of your busy days speaking on the floor in support of American fishing families who need fishing jobs and a long-term sustainable future. On behalf of our hundreds of members and their families, I can say that your support is greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten.
“In particular, I express a heartfelt thank you to Water, Power, and Oceans Subcommittee Ranking Member Jared Huffman for his extraordinary energy and civility leading opposition debate on HR 200 on the House floor. As author of a common sense discussion draft that set a high bar for fisheries conservation discussions last fall, Mr. Huffman has demonstrated what real leadership in ocean policy looks like.”
Noah Oppenheim
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations
and Institute for Fisheries Resources
“I’d like to thank Congressmen Brown, Cummings, Delaney, Hoyer, Raskin, Ruppersberger, and Sarbanes for their leadership in voting against H.R. 200. Maryland has a rich history that is tied directly to the water. We appreciate your commitment to protecting that heritage.”
Tony Friedrich
Maryland angler and conservationist
“As a recreational angler, and a Texan, I would like to thank our Texas congressional delegation who voted against H.R. 200. Very special thanks goes to those Texas Republicans whose votes showed a commitment to conservation above party politics: Kay Granger, Randy Weber, John Culbertson, and John Carter. Thank you!”
Will Brown
Anglican clergyman and sport fisherman
“Thank you for voting no on H.R. 200. We in the seafood system rely upon the abundant fish stocks that current Magnuson-Stevens policies have been successful in sustaining and restoring when and where it’s been required. Our loyal consumers depend upon maintaining the science-based management mandated by MSA. Keep up the good work—our community supports you!”
Kevin Scribner
Forever Wild Seafood and Slow Food USA
“Hats off to Rhode Island Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline for voting against H.R. 200. Both Rhode Island Congressmen and Senators have long been advocates for the fish and fishermen in Rhode Island and the nation. We thank them for supporting strong conservation measures in the fishing law of our nation.
“Congressman Cicilline spoke out against the bill on the floor of the House before the vote on H.R. 200. Rep. Cicilline said, ‘H.R. 200 undermines the science-based catch limits we have used for decades to keep fisheries sustainable for the long term… science works; since catch limits have been put in place overfishing incidences have been cut substantially… H.R. 200 will reverse this progress… We cannot let it pass; it will harm fishing in my state and along the East Coast. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the isle to reject this bill.'”
Dave Monti
Charter captain, RI Marine Fisheries Council
and RI Saltwater Anglers Association
“On behalf of Gulf Restoration Network’s broad coalition of chefs, fishers and more than 20,000 concerned supporters, we would like to thank the members of Congress who stood against special interests and voted ‘no’ on H.R. 200. We declared that we wanted healthy oceans full of fish that everyone has the right to enjoy, and the following heard that call:
Randy Weber (TX), Filemon Vela (TX), Cedric Richmond (LA), Bennie Thompson (MS), Gus Bilirakis (FL), Charlie Crist (FL), Vern Buchanan (FL), Francis Rooney (FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL), Carlos Curbelo (FL), William Lacy Clay (MO), Emanuel Cleaver (MO), Jared Polis (CO) and Steve Cohen (TN)
Kendall Dix
Gulf Restoration Network
