SOUTHERLAND FIGHTS TO GIVE FISHERMEN VOICE IN GULF, ATLANTIC MANAGEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     

April 17, 2013

Contact: Matt McCullough

(202) 225-5235

SOUTHERLAND FIGHTS TO GIVE FISHERMEN VOICE IN GULF, ATLANTIC MANAGEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, II authored a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations today asking for a restriction on federal funding for new Limited Access Privilege Programs – also known as “catch shares” – in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic seaboard until fishermen’s concerns about the programs have been addressed.  Rep. John Tierney (D-MA) and 23 other House members joined Southerland’s effort to remedy catch share concerns through the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens fisheries management law and not through the appropriations process.

“This bipartisan coalition of Gulf and Atlantic Coast lawmakers has come together with the simple demand that our fishermen be heard,” Southerland said.   “At a time when many of our coastal economies are struggling, it would be incredibly reckless to shut our recreational and commercial fishermen out of a planning process that could lead to the loss of more coastal jobs and further limit public access to a once-open resource.

“While we’re not expecting to eliminate catch shares currently in place, I do expect proper process to be followed before any new catch shares are implemented.  This can only happen by listening to our fishermen, addressing their concerns through an update to the Magnuson-Stevens law, and ensuring the development of better scientific research, stock assessments, and economic impact statements.”

Southerland serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources, which will be reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) later this year.  Southerland’s amendment prohibiting funding for new catch shares in last year’s FY2013 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill passed the House by a bipartisan 220-191 margin.

NOTE:  To view Southerland’s letter to the House Committee on Appropriations, please click here.

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