December 21, 2020 — Following a yearlong tour and eight listening sessions at fishing ports on every coast of the country, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) introduced a draft reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act with Rep. Ed Case (D-Hawaii) on Friday, Dec. 18.
The Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act was enacted in 1976 and last reauthorized in 2006.
The new draft leads with consideration for the effects of climate change on wild fisheries, but also includes:
- A timeline for the management of federal fishery disaster declarations and disbursal of funds;
- A grant program for working waterfronts;
- Reinstitution of the National Seafood Council to promote U.S. seafood products;
- Revision of Saltonstall-Kennedy program to return funds to their original purpose;
- The addition of a tribal member to the Pacific council.
“This draft includes important and timely updates to the MSA as well as provisions to strengthen communities and support those whose lives and livelihoods depend on healthy oceans and fisheries,” said Reps. Huffman and Case in a statement on the draft. “With the growing impacts of climate change, difficulties due to the ongoing pandemic, and rapidly evolving needs in fisheries management and science, amending and reauthorizing the MSA remains a top priority. We’re looking forward to the next phase of this process and receiving constructive commentary to inform and shape the bill’s introduction next year.”