The legislation would reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation Management Act, which was last reauthorized in 2006.
“The bill ensures healthy fisheries,” said Van Drew.
“As the nature of the ecosystem and fishing industry changes, the laws must be updated to keep pace in an evolving world, and that sustainability is not a partisan issue. The reauthorization act takes important steps to protect important renewable resources and ensures that generations of fishermen to come can earn a living by putting sustainable seafood on tables of families across the country,” Young said.
Meanwhile Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., has announced a fall listening tour on the proposed Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act legislation, which will include a series of roundtable discussions to tap into the expertise of fishermen and other stakeholders. The Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC), which represents over 1,000 small boat, independent fishermen and business owners from Maine to Alaska, is applauding the listening tour. “Small-boat, community-based fishermen are committed to doing their part to inform and improve marine policy to protect these fishing communities for today and generations to come,” said John Pappalardo, CEO of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, a founding member of the FCC.