Community based commercial harvesters want port protections, sound science in Magnuson renewal
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SCOM] September 10, 2014
The Fishing Community coalition has weighed in on Magnuson reauthorization, pushing to strengthen conservation mandates and avoid disruptive reallocations. The group represents small commerical harvesters, many with IFQ rights, who have often found themselves allied with some supportive Environmental organizations that support fishing rights and survival measures for smaller ports.
In a letter to the chairs of both the House and Senate subcommittees dealing with Magnuson Reauthorization, they criticze current drafts of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) as being too lose with science standards, and for allowing a patchwork of excptions and regional mandates to take hold. The group said it wants to see more focus on national standards and science-based fishery management.
The Coalition’s membership includes the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, Alaska Marine Conservation Council, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association.
They said “We cannot realize the full potential—biologically, socially or economically—of our nation's marine fisheries without robust and well-managed fish stocks as well as strong protections for fisheries access in traditional fishing ports....
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