Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 200, a bipartisan bill that includes the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act). This historic vote marks the first time the priorities of the recreational fishing sector are included in the reauthorization of our nation’s primary marine fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
The provisions of the Modern Fish Act (H.R. 2023) were included in H.R. 200 by the House Committee on Natural Resources on December 13, 2017. H.R. 200 is sponsored by Representative Don Young (R-Alaska) and cosponsored by Reps. Garret Graves (R-La.); Brian Babin (R-Texas); Clay Higgins (R-La.); Gene Green (D-Texas); Robert Wittman (R-Va.); Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.); Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.); Steve King (R-Iowa); Marc Veasey (D-Texas); Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), and Austin Scott (R-Ga.).
“Marine recreational fishing is not a partisan issue, which was illustrated by the support H.R. 200 received from both parties today in the House,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “We owe great thanks to Chairman Rob Bishop, Congressmen Don Young, Garret Graves, Gene Green and Marc Veasey for working together to properly recognize recreational fishing within the Magnuson-Stevens Act. These bipartisan leaders have made the difference for anglers from coast to coast.”
In 2014, the priorities of the recreational fishing and boating community were identified and presented to federal policy makers by the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management in a report “A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries.” This group is also referred to as the Morris-Deal Commission, named for co-chairs Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, president of Maverick Boat Group.
Many of the recommendations of the Morris-Deal Commission are addressed by the Modern Fish Act and included in H.R. 200. This legislation addresses many of the challenges faced by recreational anglers, including allowing alternative management tools for recreational fishing, reexamining fisheries allocations and improving recreational data collection. The bill aims to benefit fishing access and conservation by incorporating modern management approaches, science and technology to guide decision-making.
“The recreational fishing industry is grateful that H.R. 200, which includes the provisions of the Modern Fish Act, has now passed the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “The Modern Fish Act represents the collective priorities of the recreational fishing community for improving federal marine fisheries management. There are 11 million saltwater anglers in the U.S. who have a $63 billion economic impact annually and generate 440,000 jobs. This legislation will help ensure that the economic, conservation and social values of saltwater recreational fishing will continue well into the future.”
“We applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for passing commonsense legislation modernizing the federal fisheries management system, which will provide America’s recreational anglers and boaters reasonable and responsible access to public marine resources,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “The recreational boating industry calls on the U.S. Senate to pick up the baton, and immediately take up and pass S.1520, the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act). Millions of Americans are counting on it.”
“We are grateful to our champions from both sides of the aisle in the House for recognizing the needs of recreational anglers and advancing this important fisheries management reform,” said Patrick Murray, president of Coastal Conservation Association. “This is truly a watershed moment for anglers in our never-ending quest to ensure the health and conservation of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them.”
“We thank the House Leadership, Congressman Young and the leaders of the House Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus for their leadership in finding bipartisan solutions to move the bill forward,” said Jeff Crane, president of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “The provisions of the Modern Fish Act contained in H.R. 200 are a top priority for saltwater anglers across the United States and charts a clear course for effective recreational fisheries management while ensuring abundant, sustainable fisheries for future generations.”
“We are on our way to pragmatic Magnuson-Stevens Act reform that will allow better access to rebuilt fish stocks while ensuring long-term sustainability,” said Jim Donofrio, president of the Recreational Fishing Alliance.
“Passing these provisions of the Modern Fish Act means taking the next important step in recognizing the cultural value of recreational fishing and conservation contributions of American anglers,” said Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We will continue to work with our sportfishing partners to engage with senators and see to it that the Modern Fish Act becomes law—it is critical if we hope to see saltwater anglers benefit from the advances in fisheries science, data collection, and management at the heart of this important legislation.”
Following today’s vote, the coalition encourages the Senate to quickly pass S. 1520. Marine recreational anglers and boaters are eager to see these landmark reforms signed into law.
Please pass s1520
Notice how many MASS representives were instrumental? ZERO
This is great news however I think that we all need to be very cautious with how much we increase or decrease size requirements and allow the taking of certain fish such as cod. When the moratorium is lifted the new requirements should be considered for both commercial and recreational fisherman and not re-endanger a staple fish of the northeast. Assuming the moratorium is lifted at some point.
I whole heartedly disagree. HR 200 removed the requirement to set annual catch limits for many fish which will decrease the accountability for overfishing. It also removed provisions for managing the forage fish which many large fish, whales and marine birds depend on. I think this hurts both the commercial and recreational fishman.
TonyF is correct. This bill (tacitly supported by On The Water and explicitly supported by the Center for Sportfishing Policy) is not what it appears to be. For example, HR 200 will:
-Allow the fishery management councils to exceed annual catch limits (ACLs) recommended by their scientific and statistical committees under certain situations.
-Replace the 10-year deadline on stock-rebuilding programs, giving the councils more freedom to use the biology and life cycle of each species.
-Replace the term “overfished” with “depleted” when describing troubled fish stocks as to avoid placing unfair blame on the decline of species when environmental conditions play a role.
-Assert that MSA is the top statutory authority over the federal fisheries management.
If the Senate passes S. 1520, these two bills will have to be reconciled, thus allowing the more dangerous provisions of HR 200 to remain in place and result in drastically weakened fisheries management capabilities.
Simply put, these two bills are not designed to help fishermen, recreational or commercial. It is a money grab by industry to sell you more fishing gear, from boats to sinkers.
Please do your research, decide on a position, and then let you political leaders know how you feel.
Take a look at the states who’s congressmen voted to push the hardest. All southern Atlantic and gulf states. And is it truly bipartisan when the only 2 Democrats voted along side there of here Texas congressmen. Not to get political but Republicans are well know for stopping sanctions if there’s profit loss to any big industry. Am I the only one who caught (no pun intended) what Trump mentioned 2 maybe 3 times about the US raising the total of US exports of fish to the UK and what would be the Gulfs shrimp to compete with Asia??? He’s selling our fish to find the break on taxes billionaires aren’t putting in the government till anymore. Just like he’s pissed his lift of banning oil pipelines and enviromental protection so his big oil buddies make more money. It’s why he wanted to sell oil to Germany. It may seem off topic but it all falls under an umbrella of reap all we can when it’s depleted there was a natural cause behind it “there’s no such thing as over fishing. When has a Republican back funding for any enviromental protection. They will create liscence & permits and any other thing they’ll call it to find the funds. THINK? They don’t want to find us Americans well being with health care do you think they give a Crap about a fish. I wonder if a one of them can tie a line on a lure? Why? They just need to tell the chef what they want and how they would like it cooked. And as far as these companies/businesses who backed it? They were lobbied to endorsement and probably got sweet tax breaks for it. No this isn’t that good to be true! Has anybody in the North East wonder where the bluefish suddenly disappeared to seemingly over night? Look into it I don’t want to make you recreational fishermen as sickened as I am to have heard about it. NOW that they’ve basically allowed the over netting the last few years they’ve held meetings in NJ for input on what to do “after the fact” the biomass is now gone due to last winter’s onslaught while migrating almost like fishing in a barrel when they’re schooled while migrating. And not the coctails, the big breeding gators. These people are pathetic what they allow for money. But let a citizen try to bring home more dinner then they think you should have and they’ll take you behind the barn “per say”. Start googling somethings and you won’t believe what you’ll learn about marine species and the ways they’re raped under our nose! This is a “Fake Good News” bill. Everyone needs to write a Senator and knock it down or kiss anymore good North Atlantic fishing goodbye. But hey we still have crabs and clams to be greatful about? Pfff!!!
Thank you
This sure will help commercial guys catch all the bunker. Business friendly bill.
As usual, how do you know the truth? Our faith in government is gone the way of the Weakfish. Can’t believe a word of this crap. Someone will benefit here, but not the fish I’m sure. Fire them all, we need another generation at the helm. No more good old boy crap!
U do realize Steve that u can remove them all and we will back to the same old, same old in a few years. They all become good ole boys when in office to long. Thinking anything else is simply naive. I have been through to many decades high up the corporate ladder, and watching politics play out (on both sides….I want to stress that point above all else, as people go “my side blind” hypocritcally like the sun rising and setting) to think some “pure” souls will do all that is right!
When u r in charge and have to make real decisions dynamics change quickly. The way it has always been…..everywhere. To think otherwise is to try and move to Middle Earth and live with the Elves. Just a side note. Those who espouse political sides the most are the ones to trust the least…..left or right. That u can bank on.
Bipartisan? Really? Ten of the twelve sponsors are Republicans and the vast majority of Democratic reps voted Nay. No one should be surprised that this favors commercial interests. It’s not the “good old boys”, its the big money that is the problem.