The following was issued by Congressman Runyan's office:
WASHINGTON – April 20, 2011 – Last week, Congressman Jon Runyan (R-NJ) introduced H.R. 1646, the “American Angler Preservation Act.” This legislation seeks to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, to preserve jobs and coastal communities through transparency and accountability in fisheries management.
Coastal fishermen have been hampered by many different factors including bad science, poor statistical data, and overly cautious decision making by fisheries managers. All of these factors have led to job losses among American anglers and damage to coastal communities. This bill seeks to produce greater accountability and transparency from fisheries management decision makers. Representative Runyan made the following statement,
“The fishing industry is a vital economic engine behind many of Ocean County’s coastal communities, without it many of these communities cannot survive. I am happy to introduce this legislation that seeks to assist the commercial, recreational, and charter boat fishing industries in New Jersey. This bill adds common sense reforms to Magnuson-Stevens by increasing accountability and transparency in fisheries management.”
Community and fishing industry leaders offered praise for the newly introduced legislation as well. Barnegat Light, NJ Mayor Kirk Larson made the following statement regarding the bill,
“We appreciate the effort and dedication that Congressman Runyan is exhibiting to improve fisheries management for commercial, recreational and party/charter boat fishermen. We look forward to working with Mr. Runyan and his staff in the development process.”
Jim Donofrio, the Executive Director of the Recreation Fishing Alliance applauded Runyan’s efforts and encouraged House Leadership to take a greater lead on the issue stating,
“I am happy to see a House Magnuson-Stevens reform bill, and applaud Congressman Runyan for recognizing the importance of this issue. Magnuson reform is our Industry's health care reform, without it Captains will continue to lose their boats and tackle industry people will continue to lose their jobs. We cannot afford to wait for a timely full re-authorization process. I urge the House leadership to make this a priority to protect our jobs.”
The Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act was last amended and re-authorized in 2006.
Major Provisions of H.R. 1646 – American Angler Preservation Act – Sponsored by Rep. Jon Runyan
· Accurate Science in Quotas
o Science and Statistical Committee (SSC) recommendations that result in an annual catch limit (ACL) quota increase or reduction of 20% or more will trigger an automatic outside peer review of the SSC data. The new ACL cannot be implemented until the outside peer review has verified and upheld its recommendation.
§ This will ensure that the best science and practices have been used.
· Risk Neutral Science
o Requires all SSC rulings to be risk neutral. This will help to prevent overly cautious science adversely impacting quota decisions.
· Transparency
o Currently each Council in conjunction with the SSC has to submit 5 years research priorities for fisheries management to the Sec. of Commerce, Regional Science Centers, and the NMFS for their consideration in developing research priorities and budgets
o This bill will require that these priorities are also submitted to Congress
o This will aid Congress in its oversight efforts and bring transparency to the research process
· Disaster Declarations
o After the Governor of an affected State or fishing community requests a determination of a commercial fishery failure due to a fishery resource disaster the Secretary of Commerce shall make such a final determination on the request within 60 days of receipt of the request.
o In the past Secretaries have failed to act upon these requests in a timely manner restricting much needed aid from Coastal communities
· Catch Shares Referendums
o In the New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Gulf regions catch share programs can only be implemented after fishermen holding more than 50% of permits petition the Secretary for catch shares
o Then 2/3 of fishermen in the sector take a referendum vote to approve the program – the program can only be implemented after a successful vote.
o After the catch share program has been implemented for 5 years there will be a referendum vote to keep or abandon the program.
· Rebuilding Flexibility
o Currently all re-building plans are built based on 10 years plans. This is an arbitrary figure not based on science. This will allow the Secretary of Commerce to have flexibility in rebuilding if certain conditions apply. This section has been introduced in past Congress’ by both Walter Jones and Frank Pallone as a stand-alone bill.
o Some of the Conditions include but are not limited to the following:
§ The cause of the fishery decline is due to conditions outside of management plans
§ If the stock of the fish is in a positive re-building trend it can be extended to mitigate adverse economic effects
· Preventing Poor Science Leading to Fishery Closures
o Prevents the Secretary of Commerce from closing a fishery that effects at least 25 small businesses by at least $50,000 each unless the following criteria is met:
§ The closure is only option available for maintaining the fishery at a sustainable level
§ The stock-assessment has been updated and peer reviewed in the last 3 years
§ The stock-assessment was developed using at least 2 models that were subjected to outside peer review by non-governmental entities
§ These provisions will retroactively apply to any fishery closed within the last two years
§ Requires the Sec. of Commerce to report to Congress on the reasons for the closures, and the impact of a closure on a coastal community
§ This legislation was introduced as a stand-alone bill last Congress by Rep. Henry Brown.
Read the text of the legislation.