WASHINGTON — March 13, 2013 — Congressman John Tierney (D-MA) today released the following statement after the first House Natural Resources Committee hearing on the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
“I thank Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey for holding today’s hearing on Magnuson Stevens and for beginning what I hope will be a thoughtful and comprehensive look at this law's purpose and its shortcomings. I understand that every witness on today’s first panel agreed that, as currently written, the law relies on outdated and inadequate data and it does not allow for the flexibility needed to sustain our nation's fisheries,” Congressman Tierney said.
Congressman Tierney urged Chairman Hastings on Monday to ensure that future hearings on this critical issue include representatives from Gloucester, a fishing community facing detrimental impacts from new catch share limits, and to incorporate necessary disaster relief for Massachusetts and eight other states in the process.
“Moving forward, it is critical that we hear from men and women, including those from Gloucester, who deal everyday with implications from the Magnuson-Stevens system and the still-unfunded disaster declaration issued by the Commerce Department last year. Reform is long overdue, and I urge the Committee to continue these hearings in a thoughtful and comprehensive manner, remaining open to reforms that increase flexibility and improve science under the current model, and possibly more substantial changes to the entire system. Without a doubt, today’s parameters are not working,” Tierney concluded.
Read Congressman Tierney's letter to Chairman Doc Hastings
Read more about Congressman Tierney's Legislation to provide disaster relief and funding for improved science