WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) — July 22, 2014 — The following was released by the Office of Senator Mark Begich:
A revised draft of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) reauthorization legislation is now available online for public review and comment, said U.S. Senator Mark Begich, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. The MSA is the primary federal law that governs marine fisheries management in U.S. waters.
"This shorter, revised draft incorporates many comments from Alaskans and others around the nation who responded to our initial discussion draft in April," said Begich. "I hope the public will review these changes and get back to me soon so we can advance to the next step in the process. That's why I posted the revised draft online-so everyone has the opportunity to review it and send their comments to my office or to the committee website."
Begich, who sought the subcommittee chairmanship so that Alaska priorities would be reflected in important national legislation, noted that the current MSA version is still in draft form pending a formal introduction of an amended bill. The public will still be able to comment as the bill is taken up by Begich's subcommittee, and marked up by the full Commerce Committee before moving to the Senate floor for action. Any Senate version of MSA must then be reconciled with the House version.
As committee chair, Begich held several MSA hearings around the nation and six listening sessions for Alaskans. He reached out to Alaska sport fishermen, subsistence users, commercial fishermen and processors to get their suggestions and concerns. While Alaska concerns are a priority, Begich noted the Magnuson Stevens Act is national legislation and reflects broader concerns heard from around the nation.
The revised MSA discussion draft can be found here
More information about Senator Begich's work on the MSA and Alaska fisheries issues can be found here
Read the original release here