Multistate fishing group wants tougher laws

September 19, 2014

"Regional fishing associations are uniting in an attempt to strengthen the laws that govern fisheries in federal waters. The groups describe themselves as ‘‘small boat commercial fishing groups’’ from around the country. They sent a letter to Congress this month calling for laws that strengthen requirements to reduce bycatch, require more comprehensive catch information, and maintain rebuilding timelines for fish stocks. The groups in the Fishing Community Coalition include the Alaska Marine Conservation Council. Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, and the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholder’s Alliance..." Read the full Associated Press story in The Boston Globe.

Groups Hope MSA Update Won’t Move Fish Conservation ‘Backwards’

September 18, 2014

"A number of regional fishing associations are joining forces to strengthen the Magnuson-Stevens Act.The Sitka-based Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association announced last week (9-9-14) that it’s reached an agreement with the Alaska Marine Conservation Council and several east-coast industry groups to form the Fishing Community Coalition. The new organization wants to ensure that Congress makes protecting fish stocks a priority as it prepares to reauthorize the nation’s most important law governing the harvest of seafood in federal waters..." Listen to the full piece by Robert Woolsey at KCAW in Sitka.