June 1, 2015 — WASHINGTON — The House on Monday passed legislation to overhaul federal management of marine fisheries nationwide.
Passage fell largely along party lines by a vote of 225-152.
The measure would amend the Magnuson-Stevens Act, first enacted in 1976, that is aimed at preventing overfishing, replenishing depleted fish stocks and sustaining the seafood supply. Magnuson-Stevens further established eight regional councils to develop plans for local fishery management.
Monday’s bill would, among other provisions, set timeframes for rebuilding expended fisheries based on how the individual stock would replenish itself naturally plus the timespan of one generation, instead of within a ten-year requirement. It would also replace the current requirement that fish stocks be restored in the shortest timeframe “possible” with “practicable.”
Supporters of the measure say that many of the deadlines are arbitrary and inflexible.
“This bill is a win for consumers, it’s a win for the industry that puts food on our tables, it’s a win for the restaurants, it’s a win for the recreational fishermen, it’s a win for better and more transparent science, it’s a win for our environment, it’s a win for the American taxpayers,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah).
Read the full story at The Hill