Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

Fisheries Management Act Clears Committee
Angling community unites for conservation effort

WASHINGTON, DC – Recreational anglers applaud passage today of HR 5018, the American Fisheries Management and Marine Life Enhancement Act, out of the House Resources Committee. Key provisions of the Act ensure anglers freedom to fish while strengthening conservation of our nation’s fisheries.

Richard W. Pombo (R-CA), chairman of the House Resources Committee, introduced the Act with Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK). The bill reauthorizes the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the paramount law governing American fisheries and fishing-related activities in U.S. waters.

“Science, intertwined with U.S. Ocean Commission recommendations and a rational approach to managing fisheries, are at the heart of this bill,” said Rep. Pombo.

Coastal Conservation Association has worked with a coalition of conservation-minded groups, including other recreational angling groups, to ensure that provisions in the Act will utilize solid scientific data to achieve healthy fish populations for recreational anglers to pursue.

“Chairman Pombo did an excellent job of pulling together a diverse set of interests to produce this bill,” said Fred Miller, chairman of CCA’s Government Relations Committee. “It is absolutely essential for recreational anglers to participate in the debate on how our nation’s marine resources are governed. As a direct result of that participation, this bill contains key priorities including improving allocation of fish stocks for recreational harvest and establishing guidelines before marine protected areas can be created. This is a bill that is good for conservation and good for recreational anglers.”

Rep. Pombo’s bill, as amended in the Committee, emerged more closely resembling Sen. Ted Stevens’ (R-AK) version of the bill, which has already passed the Senate Commerce Committee.

“We look forward to working with both chambers to obtain final passage of this vital legislation,” said Bob Hayes, CCA general counsel.

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