Washington, D.C. – Following today’s House Natural Resources Committee legislative hearing on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act reauthorization, Alaskan Congressman Don Young today issued this statement to emphasize the critical importance of this legislation focused on fisheries management across the country.
“We’ve seen a proven track record for the Magnuson-Stevens Act in the North Pacific, as made evident by the economic strength and overall stock health of our fisheries,” said Congressman Don Young. “Without the mandates in Magnuson-Stevens, the success of our fisheries off Alaska’s coasts would never have been as prolific. Through the work of strong management entities like the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, stakeholders have provided a voice in how fisheries are managed through a public and open process.
“Currently, approximately 60% of the seafood landed in the U.S. comes from Alaskan fisheries and the Magnuson-Stevens Act ensures that our fisheries, caught under the provisions of the Act, remain sustainable,” Congressman Young said. “While the Act works well, there are still some issues that need to be addressed, including more flexibility to fisheries managers. In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is collecting more and more information from fishermen and processors and the Act needs to be clear that all information collected is for the purpose of fisheries management, especially when that information is proprietary data. This type of information must not be made available for purposes other than what it was collected for.”
The Magnuson-Stevens Act currently being discussed in the Committee provides for reauthorization through 2018, with many widely supported improvements of national scope supported by Congressman Young, including providing Councils with greater flexibility in managing their fisheries. He has encouraged Alaskans to review and critique the legislation and offer specific suggestion in the coming months by contacting his office or the Natural Resources Committee at MagnusonStevens@mail.house.gov.
Congressman Young, an original author of the Magnusson-Stevens Act who pushed through the 200-mile fishing limit important to Alaska’s fishing industry and former Chairman of the House Resources Committee, chaired portions of the hearing and took the opportunity to focus in on some of the issues and concerns facing reauthorization.
Congressman Don Young chairs portions of the House Natural Resources Committee on the Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization. Click Here to watch.
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