Post by Woody Williams on Dec 16, 2005 13:59:57 GMT -5
Congress Takes Important Saltwater Fishing Action
The Magnuson-Stevens Act probably has more effect on the nation's 9 million saltwater anglers than any other law. It sets coastal fisheries' harvest limits, seasons, gear restrictions and much more, and it does so for several years at a time.
Legislation that would reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act emerged yesterday from a Senate Committee. The legislation included several provisions promoted by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) Marine Conservation Working Group (MCWG). The Committee's action sets the stage for Senate passage of a bill that will make significant positive impacts on marine fisheries conservation and recreational saltwater fishing.
"The Magnuson-Stevens Act reported out by the Senate Commerce Committee is a strong bill that will go a long way to improving marine fisheries management," said Bob Hayes of the Coastal Conservation Association. Hayes, who is also a co-chair of the TRCP's MCWG, added, "The inclusion of key sportfishing provisions is a testament to what can be accomplished when sportsmen-conservationists come together to make their voice heard on conservation issues."
Several of the nation's leading recreational fishing and marine conservation organizations joined forces earlier this year through the TRCP to form the MCWG with the goal of making sure that the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act will improve fisheries management in general and specifically for the benefit of saltwater recreational anglers. The MCWG brings together marine policy experts from the American Sportfishing Association, Berkley Conservation Institute, Coastal Conservation Association, Environmental Defense and the International Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. Their recommendations helped ensure that the bill passed yesterday requires the economic impact of all sectors of fishing be addressed when allocating fisheries resources, establishes guidelines if areas are going to be closed to fishing, and creates a registry of recreational saltwater fishermen.
"Through the persistence of our partners in the Marine Conservation Working Group, we have seen significant improvements made to the bill since it was first circulated," noted the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Eric Schwaab, a co-chair of the working group. He continued, "Marine conservation and saltwater fishing is sure to improve if this bill is enacted into law with these provisions maintained."
While the committee included provisions for by-catch reduction programs in its bill, another MCWG priority, the provisions relate only to the development of new technologies. The TRCP Marine Conservation Working Group will continue to advocate for evaluation of current gear and a determination that its continued use is appropriate for the fishery.
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership President & CEO Matt Connolly commented, "Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization, represents our community's best opportunity to speak up and help directly reshape marine fisheries management. The Magnuson-Stevens bill passed by the Commerce Committee is good news for saltwater recreational anglers and is a positive step forward for marine conservation."
For additional information, go to: www.trcp.org/ch_marineconservation.aspx
The Magnuson-Stevens Act probably has more effect on the nation's 9 million saltwater anglers than any other law. It sets coastal fisheries' harvest limits, seasons, gear restrictions and much more, and it does so for several years at a time.
Legislation that would reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act emerged yesterday from a Senate Committee. The legislation included several provisions promoted by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) Marine Conservation Working Group (MCWG). The Committee's action sets the stage for Senate passage of a bill that will make significant positive impacts on marine fisheries conservation and recreational saltwater fishing.
"The Magnuson-Stevens Act reported out by the Senate Commerce Committee is a strong bill that will go a long way to improving marine fisheries management," said Bob Hayes of the Coastal Conservation Association. Hayes, who is also a co-chair of the TRCP's MCWG, added, "The inclusion of key sportfishing provisions is a testament to what can be accomplished when sportsmen-conservationists come together to make their voice heard on conservation issues."
Several of the nation's leading recreational fishing and marine conservation organizations joined forces earlier this year through the TRCP to form the MCWG with the goal of making sure that the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act will improve fisheries management in general and specifically for the benefit of saltwater recreational anglers. The MCWG brings together marine policy experts from the American Sportfishing Association, Berkley Conservation Institute, Coastal Conservation Association, Environmental Defense and the International Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. Their recommendations helped ensure that the bill passed yesterday requires the economic impact of all sectors of fishing be addressed when allocating fisheries resources, establishes guidelines if areas are going to be closed to fishing, and creates a registry of recreational saltwater fishermen.
"Through the persistence of our partners in the Marine Conservation Working Group, we have seen significant improvements made to the bill since it was first circulated," noted the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Eric Schwaab, a co-chair of the working group. He continued, "Marine conservation and saltwater fishing is sure to improve if this bill is enacted into law with these provisions maintained."
While the committee included provisions for by-catch reduction programs in its bill, another MCWG priority, the provisions relate only to the development of new technologies. The TRCP Marine Conservation Working Group will continue to advocate for evaluation of current gear and a determination that its continued use is appropriate for the fishery.
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership President & CEO Matt Connolly commented, "Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization, represents our community's best opportunity to speak up and help directly reshape marine fisheries management. The Magnuson-Stevens bill passed by the Commerce Committee is good news for saltwater recreational anglers and is a positive step forward for marine conservation."
For additional information, go to: www.trcp.org/ch_marineconservation.aspx