Modern Fish Act Passes Senate; Gulf Interests Say Bill Much Improved
A bill called the ‘modern fish act’ that addresses issues important to recreational and charter fisheries in the Gulf has passed the Senate. It was unclear if it would make it to a floor vote this month.
The bill was significantly different than the one reported out of committee, and is much more acceptable to commercial fishing interests.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Wicker of Mississippi. Key provisions would
*Direct the GAO to conduct a study on the process for allocation reviews of mixed-use fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic fishery management councils;
* Encouraging councils to utilize alternative methods for managing recreational fisheries, such as fishing mortality...
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