House Committee To Hold Mark-up on Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 16, 2022
CONTACT: Jo Knight, jo@conservefish.org
Arlington, VA – The House Natural Resources Committee today announced it will mark up H.R. 4690, the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act, which would amend and reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary law that governs federal management of U.S. ocean fisheries. The following statement is from Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network.
“The Marine Fish Conservation Network is pleased to see the House Natural Resources Committee is acting to move the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act forward. U.S. fisheries supply 1.74 million U.S. jobs and contribute $354.8 billion in combined sales and added value to the U.S. economy. With H.R. 4690, Representatives Jared Huffman, Ed Case, and Mary Sattler Peltola have given Congress a good starting point for ensuring that our fisheries management system continues to support American livelihoods and coastal economies and is ready to meet the challenges of the future. This bill introduces important steps to make U.S. fisheries climate-ready, as well as enhance accurate, timely, and verified catch accounting and improve needed infrastructure to keep working waterfronts and fishing communities productive and thriving.
“We thank Chairman Huffman in particular for his leadership in listening to stakeholders around the country and addressing many of their needs, hopes, and concerns in this bill. In addition, Chairman Huffman did the right thing after the unfortunate and untimely passing of the Honorable Don Young by holding action on H.R. 4690 until Alaska elected a new representative. With Alaskan voices represented, the Network supports the House’s decision to move this central piece of fisheries management legislation forward.”
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The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a coalition of commercial and recreational fishing associations, regional and national conservation groups, aquaria, and marine science organizations committed to sustaining fish populations, healthy marine ecosystems, and robust fishing communities.
