Magnuson Stevens Turns 40, FCC Members Advocate for Maintaining Strong MSA with Science, Conservation, and Accountability at its Core

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18th, 2016

MAGNUSON STEVENS TURNS 40, FCC MEMBERS ADVOCATE FOR MAINTAINING STRONG MSA WITH SCIENCE, CONSERVATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT ITS CORE
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC) issued the following statement on their recent visit to Washington, D.C.:
 
More than 15 fishermen and representatives from Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Texas, and Florida arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, April 12th, the eve of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) turning 40 years old, to represent the FCC in meetings with legislative and executive offices. FCC members met with more than 20 Congressional offices and committees in the House and Senate, as well as with representatives from NMFS, on Tuesday and Wednesday to highlight the successes of the MSA and to advocate for sensible, smart reforms in future reauthorizations that will continue moving our Nation’s fisheries in the right direction and keep commercial fishermen in business. Discussions included improving monitoring and accountability, including more fully incorporating electronic technologies into management, strengthening community protections, reducing bycatch, supporting the next generation of fishermen, preventing disruptive reallocation reviews, and protecting the NEPA review process in fisheries management. 
 
“MSA turning 40 was a great opportunity for our fishermen and representatives to come to D.C. to illustrate how hugely important this law is to commercial fishermen around the country. Our fishermen recognize that the MSA reauthorization is a pivotal time in fisheries management and we look forward to remaining engaged in the process and supporting our commercial fishing industry.”
Claire Fitz-Gerald, Sector Manager for the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance
Chatham Massachusetts
 
“We came to DC with the message that ‘Magnuson is working.’  We impressed upon Congress that any reauthorization should protect the critical conservation and accountability measures in this law, and that we support small improvements that support this vision.  Red snapper are making an epic comeback in the Gulf of Mexico thanks to Magnuson, and we can’t afford to undermine this success story.”
Eric Brazer, Deputy Director for the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance
Galveston, Texas
 
“Fishermen in Alaska rely heavily on the regionally specific, stakeholder-driven MSA process to ensure that the needs of all fishermen are accounted for and considered. It is critical that the Council process continues to be the primary pathway for new fisheries regulations. Members of Congress should be supporting this proven management framework, not trying to erode it, bypass it, or hand management over to states.”
Shannon Carroll, Fisheries Policy Director for the Alaska Marine Conservation Council
Anchorage, Alaska
 
“The Magnuson Stevens Act is protecting not only fish stocks, but also the fishermen who rely on them. MSA has provided important community protections that ensure our small boat fleets are able to access the fisheries and provide fresh fish to their families and communities. During this fly-in, we were able to spend time with Congressional offices discussing ways to further strengthen and expand community protections in any MSA reauthorization bill. As the composition and needs of fishing communities continue to evolve, the MSA should offer assurance that fishermen will be able to access their resource."
Linda Behnken, Executive Director for the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association
Sitka, Alaska
 
“During our visit to D.C., we were able to highlight the continued need for improved accountability in our fisheries. Right now, we are working with a number of small boats in the New England fleet to install electronic monitoring systems that will go live on May 1st. We hope that we can continue to implement electronic technologies not just in New England, but in every region, to help augment the human observer system currently in place. Additionally, we hope that any MSA reauthorization will recognize the benefits of electronic technologies and support more fully incorporating them into observing and management.”
Ben Martens, Executive Director for Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
Brunswick, Maine
 
Our day and half of meetings in Washington, D.C. culminated with a wildly successful FishTales, our 4th annual happy hour event where commercial fishermen and industry representatives engaged with Hill staff and other ‘fish folk’ here in D.C in an informal and comfortable setting.  

Commercial Fishermen spend two days in D.C. advocating for appropriations for critical fisheries programs within NMFS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2016

Commercial Fishermen spend two days in D.C. advocating for appropriations for critical fisheries programs within NMFS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC) issued the following statement on their recent visit to Capitol to meet with Appropriations offices:

We are pleased to announce that FCC members had a productive trip to Washington, D.C. last week to meet with lawmakers who sit on the House and Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee, House Natural Resources Committee, and Senate Commerce Committee and discuss the Coalition’s appropriations priorities for NMFS programs.

More than 20 fishermen and representatives from the FCC’s seven member groups spent two full days on Capitol Hill advocating for fully funding a number of NMFS fisheries programs at the level requested by the President for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) including: Electronic Monitoring and Reporting, Management and Regulatory Support for Electronic Technologies, Observers and Training, Expand Stock Assessments, and Integrated Ocean Acidification, among others. FCC fishermen and representatives met with twenty-two offices in the House and Senate to emphasize how these NMFS programs help improve monitoring, accountability, data collection, and understanding of the reality of what’s happening in and on the water, and ensuring our small boats continue to have access to healthy fisheries.

“We were able to really capitalize on a unique opportunity to influence policy and program implementation through engaging in the appropriations process. Offices were receptive to our appropriations requests and we received a surprising amount of support from offices around the nation for more fully integrating electronic technologies into fisheries management. We are hopeful that as NMFS receives its appropriations, use of electronic technologies becomes more commonplace and serves as a cost-effective, efficient alternative to human observers.” – Ben Martens, Executive Director of Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association

“It is important for lawmakers and staff to hear directly from the fishermen who benefit from these program and why they are so critical to protecting our healthy fisheries. We were able to bring together a wide variety of fishermen, from young Alaskan fishermen to guys who have been fishing for 30+ years in the Gulf of Mexico, to highlight the need for full funding for these programs that directly impact their ability to access healthy fish stocks. The staff we met with appreciated hearing about why these programs are so critical not only to their district or region, but across the nation. It certainly helped illustrate the connectedness of our nation’s fisheries.” – Linda Behnken, Executive Director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association

The FCC fishermen and representatives met with many offices on both sides of the aisle that were new for the Coalition and FCC members are excited to continue many of the great conversations started during the meetings as the appropriations process continues into 2016. 

Ensuring a Future for American Seafood and Fishermen

Our blog post is live on the Huffpost Green Blog today! Link here and text below.

Our new initiative is focused on supporting our next generation of commercial fishermen to ensure that they have the resources and funds necessary to continue providing our nation with sustainably caught seafood. We look forward to working with our stakeholders, managers, and federal officials to develop this program in the  coming weeks and months. Let us know what you think!

Ensuring a Future for American Seafood and Fishermen

America's commercial fishermen provide the public with some of the world's best seafood: Alaska salmon and halibut, Maine lobster, Gulf red snapper, New England cod - names that make your mouth water. These are the fishermen who support our coastal economies and contribute to our food security, and continue to do so in the face of a growing number of challenges.

Increasingly, commercial fishermen face vast uncertainty about changing ocean ecosystems, complex state and federal management systems, and the staggering costs to enter America's fisheries. These factors have contributed to a new challenge: declining numbers of young fishermen entering the commercial fishing industry. As a coastal community loses its next generation of fishermen, it also loses access to economic opportunity, food security, and its heritage.

As we work together to ensure the health of America's incredible marine ecosystems, we must also find ways to sustain the next generation of fishermen tasked with putting that food on our nation's table. Rather than see fishermen's role in our food system further isolated and diminished, we should equip young fishermen to be successful food producers, responsible marine stewards and valuable additions to their local economies.

Farmers and ranchers had concerns for their own future generations, inspiring Congress to create a number of programs to support this next generation of agriculture, including the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Programand the Individual Development Accounts. Young farmers and ranchers have benefitted enormously from this federal support, ensuring a future generation is in place for this part of the U.S. food system.

Unfortunately, not a single federal program exists to provide support and resources to young commercial fishermen - the young men and women critical to the preservation of the culture, economy, community health, and food security in coastal America. This lack of support puts this important part of our food system in jeopardy, especially at a time when more consumers are looking for healthy protein sources that are locally sourced and sustainable. It reflects a massive oversight and a lost opportunity.

But we can change that.

A national program that partners with federal, state and local organizations and agencies to provide increased opportunities for the next generation of commercial fishermen, similar to what our friends in the agriculture community have access to, could be a groundbreaking step in protecting the stability of our coastal fishing communities and our seafood supply chain. Such programming and funding, if available to fishermen, could:

• Offer financial support and guidance for new fishery entrants.
• Provide training for developing new markets and adding value to their products.
• Create greater engagement in the public processes supporting marine management, lessening the divide between policy-makers and fishermen.
• Foster a conservation ethic that prioritizes sustainable fishing practices and marine stewardship.
• Identify ways to sustain America's working waterfronts essential to coastal industries and traditions.

We have already seen the successes of private and nonprofit efforts that work toward giving the next generation a path to follow and the support needed to acquire the skills and resources necessary to build strong new businesses. But these efforts are not yet well connected or nationally fortified. It is time to expand these regional efforts into a national program. That is why we are working, along with our colleagues around the nation, to propose a program that would provide adequate funding and support resources for this next generation of fishermen.

Now is the time for fishing organizations, federal agencies, regional management councils, and coastal communities to work together on this shared challenge. It is an opportunity for fishermen to unite nationwide, ensuring that our vision for a sustainable fishing future includes a healthy marine ecosystem, a stable seafood supply chain, and a thriving new generation of community fishermen.

FCC Provides Feedback on NOAA's Proposed EBFM Policy

                                      December 16th, 2015

Dr. Jason Link
Senior Scientist for Ecosystems
Northeast Fisheries Science Center
National Marine Fisheries Service
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543

Dear Dr. Link,

The Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC) appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) draft Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) Policy. The FCC represents over 1,000 conservation minded, community-based, small boat, commercial fishermen from around the country who advocate for sustainable, science-based fisheries management. We provide a unified, national voice for our member organizations who represent the interests of fishermen and fishing dependent communities along our nation’s coasts. We work tirelessly to promote thriving commercial fishing communities and sustainable seafood access that is built on healthy fish stocks and marine systems, and responsible stewardship. 

The FCC commends NMFS for the work they have done to develop a draft EBFM policy. We fully support the inclusion of fishery dependent communities as an ecosystem component and see EBFM as a potential tool for greater recognition of coastal communities in the fishery management process. Additionally, like NMFS, we support the use of Fishery Ecosystem Plans as a tool for Regional Fishery Management Councils (Councils) to implement EBFM on a regional level. We believe this approach best allows each Council to address its region-specific needs, while also enhancing stakeholder involvement and the transparency of the Councils’ decision-making processes.

We do, however, have two major concerns regarding this policy and would appreciate NMFS providing clarification. First, we are concerned that in failing to define the terms “living marine resources” (LMR) and “trust LMRs,” NMFS could place undue burden on the Councils. Left undefined, these terms are so broad that they could overwhelm Councils’ finite resources and thereby undermine a Council’s ability to carry out its responsibilities under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Additionally, the lack of clarity regarding LMRs and trust LMRs could add another layer of complexity to the responsibility that the Councils share with other federal agencies (e.g. management of marine mammals and endangered species). We believe LMR management should be addressed in this policy, but we also believe that NMFS should clearly define both LMRs and trust LMRs, and Council and agencies’ responsibilities with respect to managing LMRs within the context of EBFM. We fully support managing LMRs within the context of EBFM and want to ensure that this policy is able to address that while also not burdening the Councils beyond their means.

Secondly, we ask NMFS to clarify the Final Outcome principle in the pyramid of six principles. This principle reads, “Maintain Resilient Ecosystems.” While the FCC supports the idea of resilient ecosystems and the numerous benefits that come from such a system, we also want to caution NMFS against singularly pursuing this goal at the expense of our fishermen. We would like NMFS to provide a clear definition of a resilient system so Councils have a clear goal and can implement reasonable steps to achieve that goal. We worry that the term “resilient” is often associated with limited and/or prohibited activities within a system and this could negatively impact our fishing businesses and livelihoods. By providing a definition that accounts for and acknowledges resource extraction, NMFS can help ensure that our fishermen maintain their access to healthy fisheries, support thriving businesses and communities, and keep our nation supplied with high-quality seafood. 

We believe NMFS has taken an important step in working to formalize their EBFM policy. We are pleased to see this progress and look forward to commenting on future documents further outlining the specifics of the EBFM Policy. We have developed a list of criteria/principles against which we will judge any future EBFM plans or policies. They are as follows:

1)    The plan/policy has clear objectives and actionable steps.
What is the ultimate outcome of this policy and how is it different than what we are currently doing? How will we achieve this outcome? We would like to see well-defined outcomes and steps in order to ensure a smooth incorporation of EBFM principles into current management frameworks.
2)    The plan/policy is regionally specific.
Each region has specific needs and a policy that is nationally prescriptive will limit the Councils’ abilities to address their unique challenges. There should be some built-in flexibility for the Councils to manage according to their needs.
3)    The plan/policy doesn’t add unnecessary and/or overly burdensome regulations.
We do not want to see any plan or policy create more paperwork or busywork for the Councils simply for the sake of solidifying an EBFM policy. Many regional Councils have begun to implement steps towards EBFM and these actions should be accounted for when issuing final EBFM mandates and regulations.
4)    There should be a financial commitment from NOAA/NMFS for any requirements placed on the industry or Councils.
There are a lot of proposals in this document that would need adequate funding in order to be fully realized. The 2006 MSA Reauthorization was extremely data intensive and NMFS continues to struggle to fund some of these initiatives. We do not want to see the same fate for this policy.
5)    The development and finalization of any plan/policy should be a transparent and public process.
Relevant stakeholders should be involved in this process from start to end. Engaging fishermen, Council members, and others will provide NMFS with industry buy-in and a final document that addresses both the agency’s priorities and the needs of the fisheries.

Finally, the FCC understands that NMFS is currently developing an “EBFM Roadmap” that will include specific objectives that are applicable to each regional Council, as well as what EBFM will look like in an operational context. This will be a valuable tool, but one that requires stakeholder input at the regional level. We are, therefore, concerned that NMFS may not make this roadmap available for public comment. One of the stated goals in the draft EBFM policy is to seek “long-term ecological, economic, and societal goals, objectives, and priorities for FEPs that are based on the results of inclusive strategic planning with diverse stakeholders [emphasis added].” Failing to provide for ample stakeholder input at every stage of this process runs counter to this EBFM goal and could serve to undermine the effectiveness of the policy. The FCC thus urges NMFS to encourage and facilitate public comments on the Roadmap.

We applaud NMFS for taking steps to formalize their EBFM approach. Considering ecosystem components in management will help promote healthy fish stocks and thriving ecosystems while promoting sustainable fisheries. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to comment on this draft EBFM policy and look forward to working with NMFS on future EBFM documents, including the forthcoming EBFM Roadmap document. We are confident that by continuing to work with stakeholders and the industry, this policy will achieve important conservation goals while allowing fishermen and communities to thrive.

Sincerely,

Linda Behnken
Executive Director
Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association     

John Pappalardo
Chief Executive Officer
Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance
     
Ben Martens
Executive Director
Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
 
Shannon Carroll
Fisheries Policy Director
Alaska Marine Conservation Council         

Eric Brazer
Deputy Director
Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance

FCC Responds to Harmful Fisheries Policy Riders in FY16 CJS Appropriations Bills

The FCC responded to policy riders found within the FY16 House and Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Bills (H.R. 2578) by highlighting their concerns in a letter addressed to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Appropriations Committee and members of the CJS Appropriations subcommittees in the House and Senate. 

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November 6, 2015

Chairman Thad Cochran and Ranking Member Barbara A. Mikulski

Committee on Appropriations

Chairman Richard C. Shelby and Ranking Member Barbara A. Mikulski

Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science

Dear Chairmen and Ranking Member,

We write today to urge you to reject all extraneous limitations related to funding fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico in any Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) Appropriations Acts or any continuing resolution considered by the House and Senate.

The Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC) represents over 1,000 conservation minded, community based, small boat, commercial fishermen from around the country, including the Gulf of Mexico, who advocate for strong fishing communities. We depend on the well-established, transparent, and inclusive fisheries management process prescribed in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to ensure that our views are considered. We work tirelessly to promote thriving commercial fishing communities and sustainable seafood access that is built on healthy fish stocks and responsible stewardship. 

We are concerned that the FY16 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill (H.R. 2578, Sec 556) and the Senate Substitute (H.R. 2578, Sec 109) both contain ill-advised provisions that propose to prohibit funding for federal fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico and subvert the MSA fisheries management process. They are the result of a small, but powerful, special interest group looking to undo the current management regime that has led to the successful rebuilding of the red snapper resource simply because they want a bigger share of the fishery.

The rider contained in the House bill (H.R. 2578, Sec 556) is designed to override the decisions made by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) related to red snapper management. The Council process, which is required to consider the best available science, include all stakeholders, and develop fishery management plans (FMPs) unique to each fishery, has been successful in rebuilding and maintaining healthy fish stocks in our nation’s waters. We oppose this rider because it effectively voids the Council process, is detrimental to the long-term viability of the Gulf of Mexico fish stocks, and sets a dangers precedent for other regions.

The rider contained in the Senate Substitute (H.R. 2578, Sect 109) extends the state maritime boundaries of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi out to 9 nautical miles. This provision overrides the Submerged Lands Act of 1953 and could nullify Sec 306(b) of the MSA, which allows the federal government to preempt state management if it is found to be “substantially and adversely affect[ing] the carrying out of such fishery management plan.” Extending state boundaries is not a solution to the red snapper controversy and would create a number of unintended consequences related to oil and gas exploration, management of fishery resources, further shortening of the federal recreational red snapper season, and application of federal statues such as the Clean Water Act.

These riders represent a concerted effort by special interest groups to override our nation’s overarching fisheries management authority. Under the MSA, 37 depleted stocks have been successfully rebuilt and only a handful remain subject to overfishing. These successes were achieved through a science-based, transparent process involving all stakeholders, including our communities of hard-working fishermen. These riders, if passed, will seriously harm fisheries management efforts in the Gulf of Mexico and set dangerous precedents for the rest of the nation. Please support the MSA and its proven management processes by rejecting all riders associated with the red snapper and any further attempts to undermine the MSA from any final FY16 Appropriations Acts of continuing resolution.

Sincerely,

The Fishing Communities Coalition