WASHINGTON — June 1, 2015 — The House voted Monday to approve legislation designed to ease limits on the number of fish caught in federal waters, a move that recreational anglers applauded as long overdue and that environmental groups blasted as ecologically reckless.
The legislation passed 225-152, with Republicans largely in favor and Democrats largely opposed.
The bill would mark the most significant overhaul of federal fishing law in nearly a decade. It now heads to the Senate, where its prospects remain murky,
Supporters and opponents of the current law, known as the Magnuson-Stevens Act, say it has gone far to help once-threatened stocks rebound.
Environmentalists say it’s too early to bail on the law, but recreational anglers and charter boat captains — who have suffered economically under shortened fishing seasons — say the stocks have bounced back enough to raise the limits.