Fishing Communities Applaud Rep. Huffman’s Magnuson-Stevens Act Listening Tour

Fishing Communities Applaud Rep. Huffman’s Magnuson-Stevens Act Listening Tour

Community-based Fishing Groups Look Forward to Engaging on How to Make Oceans and Fisheries Healthier, More Sustainable

Washington, D.C. — The Fishing Communities Coalition (FCC) — representing more than 1,000 small-boat, independent fishermen and business owners from Maine to Alaska — praised Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) today for announcing a listening tour this fall on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). This series of roundtable discussions will tap into the expertise of fishermen and other stakeholders to assess how the MSA could be updated through the reauthorization process in order to improve the health of our oceans and fisheries.

Originally enacted in 1976, the MSA is the primary federal law governing America’s fisheries, and has proven successful in preventing overfishing and rebuilding badly depleted fish stocks through responsible science-based fisheries management. The FCC strongly supports Rep. Huffman, Chair of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee, in his endeavor to hear directly from our nation’s fishermen as he develops legislation reauthorizing the MSA.

“Chairman Huffman is a true champion of America’s water resources, and we applaud his commitment to engage all stakeholders and identify ways to improve our fisheries and vital marine ecosystems,” said John Pappalardo, CEO of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, a founding member of the FCC. “The Magnuson-Stevens Act is an excellent tool for promoting sustainable fisheries management, and we look forward to sharing ideas for making it even better. Small-boat, community-based fishermen are committed to doing our part to inform and improve marine policy to protect our fishing communities, both today and for generations to come.”

Rep. Huffman’s listening tour will begin in the fall of 2019 and will engage audiences who have a stake in preserving the health of our public ocean resources nationwide. Learn more about the MSA here.