WASHINGTON — March 26, 2014 — Congress is currently revising the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, the law that governs our nation's marine resources. Recreational saltwater anglers and the sportfishing and boating industries are intensifying efforts to ensure that their social, conservation and economic priorities are well represented in the legislative process.
Today, in a series of meetings on Capitol Hill, the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management co-chairs, Johnny Morris, founder and CEO, Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, president, Maverick Boats, briefed members of Congress and media on the commission's recommended changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The commission, composed of anglers, scientists, former agency administrators, conservationists, industry representatives and economists, wants to ensure that saltwater recreational fishing becomes a priority of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service.
"Our commission offers a clear path to better stewardship of America's marine fishery resources," said Morris. "Today we ask Congress to join us on that path. We extend the invitation on behalf of all current anglers and future generations of anglers who will enjoy our nation's resources for many years to come."
Previewed in February during the 2014 Progressive Miami International Boat Show in Miami, Fla., A Vision for Managing America's Saltwater Recreational Fisheries outlines recreational fisheries management issues that need to be addressed in the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization.
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