On Wednesday, the House Resources Committee will mark up legislation that would perpetuate the mismanagement of our Nation’s fisheries, further threatening a resource that is currently overfished by 20%, stated U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV).
"It is abundantly clear that the rate of overfishing cannot continue without putting at risk a cherished American pastime, the livelihoods of families who depend on the industry, and communities grounded in the fishing culture," said Rahall.
The Magnuson Act, enacted in 1976, authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to manage ocean fisheries from 3-to-200 miles offshore and is intended to curb foreign fishing near U.S. coastlines while promoting the U.S. fishing industry. In a 2004 report, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) made specific recommendations on how Congress should update this law to maintain the Nation’s fisheries.
Ignoring the majority of the USCOP’s recommendations, the legislation before the Committee this week would undermine the application of the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, and would fail to curb overfishing by weakening conservation provisions.
Democrats plan to offer amendments to strike these provisions.
What: House Resources Committee markup of Magnuson Act reauthorization legislation
When: Wednesday, May 17, 2006, 10 am
Where: 1324 Longworth House Office Building
![[New for the Democrats - Committee on Resources - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, Ranking Democrat - 1329 Longworth HOB - Washington, DC 20015]](news_banner.gif)
