Natural Resources Committee to Hold Field Hearing in Panama City, Florida on How Fisheries Strengthen Our Economy, Create Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Saturday, August 25^th, the House Natural Resources Committee will hold an oversight field hearing in Panama City, Florida entitled, “Fishing=Jobs: How Strengthening America’s Fisheries Strengthens Our Economy.”  The health of the Gulf of Mexico and its fishery resources affect the entire economy of Florida.  Florida’s fisheries create and support thousands of jobs throughout the State and contribute to local businesses through hotel, restaurant, and bait store expenditures from out-of-state anglers.  A U.S. Census Bureau report found that 2.8 million residents and non-resident anglers contributed $4.3 billion to Florida’s economy in fishing–related expenditures in 2006.  Commercial fishing also plays a large role in sustaining Florida’s economy.  According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the economic impact of the commercial fishing industry was an additional $5.6 billion in 2008.

The Committee has identified a number of challenges and impediments to fully utilizing the fishery resources of the Gulf of Mexico.  The field hearing will give Members an opportunity to get a more detailed view of these challenges by examining: whether outdated scientific information available to fishery managers is limiting harvest levels; whether governmental restrictions on the harvest of fishery resources are necessary; and to what extent governmental programs - including catch shares, annual catch limits, and the National Ocean Policy - will affect how fisheries are harvested in the future.

WHO:	Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Rep. Steve Southerland (FL-02), and other possible Members.
WHAT:	House Natural Resources Committee oversight field hearing on: Fishing=Jobs: How Strengthening America’s Fisheries Strengthens Our Economy Witnesses will be by invitation only.
WHEN:	Saturday, August 25, 2012 10:00 A.M. CDT
WHERE:	The Lecture Hall at the Holley Academic Center Florida State University – Panama City 4750 Collegiate Drive Panama City, FL 32405

Visit the Committee Calendar for testimony and additional information, once it is made available.  The hearing is open to the public and a live video stream will be broadcast at http://naturalresources.house.gov/live.

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