House discussion draft informed by communities and businesses around the country
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2020
CONTACT: Jo Knight, jo@conservefish.org
Arlington, VA – House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Chairman Jared Huffman (D-CA) and subcommittee member Ed Case (D-HI) introduced a discussion draft to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary law that governs management of U.S. federal fisheries. Prior to releasing this draft bill, Chairman Huffman conducted a listening tour around the country to receive input into the priorities and issues facing communities and businesses that depend on healthy fisheries. Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, released the following statement.
“Reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act is an opportunity to build upon the successes of the law that governs U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries, which contribute $212 billion in sales impacts to the U.S. economy and create approximately 1.7 million American jobs. Because our nation depends on healthy and abundant federal fisheries, Rep. Huffman spent a year listening to the achievements and concerns of coastal communities, conservationists, Tribal members, scientists, small boat commercial fishermen, seafood business owners and angling enthusiasts across the country. By seeking public participation in the process of reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Chairman Huffman has worked to ensure that the law continues to prioritize healthy and productive fisheries for the benefit of all Americans while also seeking solutions to emerging threats such as climate change.
“The Marine Fish Conservation Network thanks Rep. Huffman for his leadership in engaging coastal communities and working waterfronts and for listening to constituents who have a strong stake in preserving and strengthening science-based fisheries management and the health of our marine waters. We also welcome the renaming of the Fisheries Conservation and Management Fund after our mentor, friend, and one of the original founders of the Network, Zeke Grader, which is a fitting tribute for a man who worked tirelessly for healthier and more productive fisheries and marine habitats. The Network thanks Reps. Huffman and Case for a good start to the Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization process, and we look forward to working with them and other Members of Congress to ensure a final bill supports healthy marine ecosystems, vibrant local economies, sustainably-caught seafood, millions of jobs, and abundant recreational opportunities around the country for generations to come.”
Editor’s note: The text of the MSA Reauthorization discussion draft can be found here. A cover letter from both congressmen can be found here. A press release from Chairman Huffman can be found here.
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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.
