Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Bill Approved by Senate Committee
by
Mary Jane Williamson
December 15, 2005—Alexandria, VA—The Senate
Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today approved the Magnuson-Stevens
Fisheries Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2005 with
strong bipartisan support. The Magnuson-Stevens Act is the most important
law governing fisheries management in federal marine waters within
a 200-mile zone in the contiguous United States. The Committee’s
actions set the stage for Senate passage of a bill that will make significant
positive impacts on marine fisheries conservation and recreational
saltwater fishing.
The American Sportfishing Association worked in concert with the nation’s
other leading recreational fishing and marine conservation organizations
to ensure that the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization improves overall
fisheries management and specifically for the saltwater recreational
angler. The bill requires that 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; improved recreational data
collection and creates a registry of recreational saltwater anglers.
"For
the first time, the bill recognizes a number of issues of importance for
recreational fishing," said Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO. "We,
together with other sportfishing groups, have worked hard to promote legislators'
understanding of the importance of sportfishing and it appears they listened."
Saltwater anglers contribute over $31 billion annually to the United States
economy. Many communities in coastal states depend on sportfishing
to support their local economies. Commenting on the importance that
good fisheries management has on the quality of the fishing experience,
Gordon Robertson, ASA’s vice president stated, "Saltwater anglers
and the businesses they support know that the long term health of their
sport depends on the health of the resource. We are happy that Senator
Stevens and the committee members have seen fit to move forward with
increased protection for the resource."
The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s
trade association, uniting more than 650 members of the sportfishing
and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal
land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler
advocacy groups and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association
safeguards and promotes the enduring social, economic and conservation
values of sportfishing.
