For Immediate Release: October 3, 2022
Contact: Ben Martens, 207-619-1755; ben@mainecoastfishermen.org
FISHING COMMUNITIES COALGION APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF MSA REAUTHORIZATION BILL IN THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Community Fishermen Praise Chairman Huffman for
Stakeholder-Driven Process, Aim to Continue Working Towards Consensus
Last week, the Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC) applauded the House Natural Resources Committee in passing H.R. 4690, the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act of 2021. This sweeping bill—sponsored by Chairman Huffman (D-CA) and Congressman Case (D-HI)—reauthorizes the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The provisions and initiatives in the bill were developed after a thorough stakeholder-driven process, including a listening tour across U.S. fishery regions that tapped into the expertise and experience of fishermen, processors, and fishery managers to assess challenges, successes, and priorities of the MSA.
“As a united voice for community-based commercial fishermen, the Fishing Communities Coalition thanks the Chairman for strengthening our nation’s premier fishery management law to better support community-based fishermen while improving science, accountability, and climate resiliency, said Ben Martens, founding member of the FCC and Executive Director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “We are confident that together, we can create national policies that deliver sustainable seafood to America, support healthier marine resources, and invest in the opportunity our fishing communities represent for this and future generations.”
In addition to supporting the underlying law and the process undertaken to craft the legislation reauthorizing it, the FCC strongly supports numerous initiatives within the bill, including measures to increase accountability and transparency and to support fishing communities. Additionally, the FCC has advocated for years on the needs to minimize bycatch and protect forage fish, and is pleased the bill includes some of the language promoted by the FCC since 2018. However, given the concerns expressed by other fishery stakeholders, it’s clear that the conversation on several provisions within the bill needs to continue. The FCC looks forward to working with all involved to find common understanding while still advancing strong and necessary conservation measures.
According to John Pappalardo, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, “Cape Cod’s small coastal communities play an out-sized role in our country’s success: the dayboat fishing businesses they support help feed a nation and are a constant reminder of the intrepid, entrepreneurial, dogged spirits this country was built on. Those essential businesses face unique and growing challenges. We are grateful Congressman Huffman knows and respects that our small-boat fisheries have such a big impact. He has worked to help address those challenges and strengthen the Magnuson-Stevens Act by incorporating initiatives to foster climate change resilience, improve science, and increase accountability.” Pappalardo added, “We particularly want to acknowledge the Congressman’s willingness to listen and learn from those who build their lives on the water, holding a listening tour of ports across the country and inviting me to comment at a reauthorization hearing on behalf of the Fishermen’s Alliance and the Fishing Communities Coalition. The knowledge and input of small-boat fishermen was addressed in the bill and after my testimony, a pivotal section protecting working waterfronts and local access was added.”
Originally enacted in 1976, the MSA is the primary federal law governing America’s fisheries and has proven helpful in the fight to prevent overfishing and rebuild badly depleted fish stocks through responsible science-based fisheries management. The FCC acknowledges the efforts put forward by Congressman Huffman, Chair of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee, and Congressman Case to continue this legacy, first started by the late Congressman Don Young of Alaska, former Dean of the House, and lead on the first MSA bill. Newly elected Representative Mary Peltola (D-AK) has quickly taken up the reins, securing a spot on the House Natural Resources Committee and getting to work quickly with Chairman Huffman on H.R. 4690.
According to Linda Behnken, Executive Director, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, “We are excited to see this MSA bill that highlights climate impacts, aims to strengthen working waterfronts, and commits to bycatch reductions. Congresswoman Peltola is carrying Mr. Young’s legacy forward and we applaud her work."
"Fishing-dependent communities throughout the nation are experiencing unprecedented change and increased vulnerability under changing ocean conditions,” said Marissa Wilson, Executive Director for the Alaska Marine Conservation Council. “An MSA bill which includes climate considerations in fisheries management is absolutely essential for food security."
After passing the House Natural Resources Committee with a vote of 21-18, the next step for the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act of 2021 will be a vote on the House floor. The MSA was last reauthorized 16 years ago, in 2006. Commercial fishing and our oceans have changed drastically in that time, and our fishermen are facing unprecedented challenges in every U.S. coastal region. It is critical that as this bill moves forward, fishermen and their concerns are listened to and taken under sincere and serious consideration. The FCC looks forward to continuing working with Congress on further refining this bill and other fisheries management policies that protect fish stocks, fishermen, and fishing communities for future generations.
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The Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC) is an association of seven community-based, small-boat commercial fishing groups, representing more than 1,000 independent fishermen and business owners from Maine to Alaska, who share a commitment to the sustainable management of America’s fishery resources. The FCC was formed to strengthen and unify the individual voices of our member organizations. Together, we work to support thriving commercial fisheries in each of our local communities, while acting as strong stewards of the marine environments off our shores to ensure healthy oceans and productive fisheries for future generations of commercial fishermen.