June 5, 2015 — A bill that will amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary law governing fisheries management in the U.S., was approved in the House of Representatives earlier this week.
The last reauthorization for Magnuson-Stevens was in 2006.
The aim of the bill, H.R.1335, Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, is to provide more flexibility in rebuilding times for certain fish stocks and create more accessibility to rebuilt stocks.
“This vote reflected a vote for common sense and pragmatic fisheries reform,” said Jim Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance.