Those pushing for reform of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act have gained a new ally in Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.).
Rep. Wittman has introduced H.R. 2304, otherwise known as the Fishery Science Improvement Act (FSIA), which aims to amend the the Magnuson Stevens Act to provide the necessary scientific information to properly implement annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures for stocks managed under the act.
Magnuson Stevens requires regional fishery management councils to put in place annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for every fishery by Dec. 31, 2011.
The requirements were intended to end overfishing by that date. For its part, NOAA, was to develop an accurate, up-to-date data collection system and that the information would better reflect potential problems in the fishery.
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