FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2019
CONTACT: Jo Knight, jo@conservefish.org
State of Fisheries: U.S. Management is Working
Improvements Would Safeguard Fisheries for the Future
Arlington, VA – The House Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, led by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), today held an oversight hearing on “The State of Fisheries.” Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, released the following statement in response.
“At a time when our fisheries and oceans are facing new challenges, we applaud Rep. Huffman and the subcommittee for beginning to examine the full scope of issues confronting U.S. fisheries and fishermen. Congress is starting the process of strengthening the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other ocean policy, which is a positive step toward addressing the needs that men and women working on America’s waterfronts encounter everyday.
“U.S. fisheries are the economic and cultural backbone for coastal communities and provide jobs, recreational opportunities, and sustenance to millions of Americans. Fisheries face many challenges from overfishing to climate change, and it’s crucial to understand and address current and future pressures that could undermine the health and vitality of our oceans and the communities that depend on these natural resources.
“As highlighted during the hearing, effective fisheries management must include accountability for all fisheries. The Magnuson-Stevens Act has been creating more robust and more resilient fisheries over the last decade through science-based annual catch limits and accountability measures. Now Congress has an opportunity to advance marine policy with improvements to fisheries science and data management, economic security for working waterfronts, electronic monitoring and bycatch reduction, and other priorities that will safeguard the ocean resources upon which so many Americans rely. The Marine Fish Conservation Network’s diverse coalition stands ready to work with Congress to ensure the state of U.S. oceans and fisheries remains healthy and productive for generations to come.”
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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.
