Don’t let the Senate ratify the House’s mistake.

The U.S. House of Representatives missed an opportunity to make positive and lasting improvements to the Magnuson-Stevens Act when it passed H.R. 200, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act.

Right now, the Senate is being pressured to pass S. 1520, the so-called “Modern Fish Act.”

S. 1520 is a flawed bill that does little to evolve management of U.S. fisheries. In addition, if it passes there is a very real risk that it would be combined with H.R. 200 or other bad legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. If that occurred, reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act could take place with very little public participation.

The Senate must build upon the success of the current Magnuson-Stevens Act and ensure that healthy oceans and productive fisheries continue to support anglers, commercial fishermen, and America’s seafood demand for generations to come.