Ending a three-day meeting and soul searching, the Commercial Fishermen of America announced plans to petition Congress to clarify the intent of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the defining law for commercial fishing.
Jim Ruhle, president of the national association, said, "We heard strong voices from local fishermen that are right in line with CFA’s strategic plan and dovetails with President Obama’s goals of securing jobs and local economies."
In a written release, the board said the CFA "will ask Congress to clarify several aspects of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that have led to a lack of management flexibility, resulting in a loss of jobs in fishing communities."