July 25, 2014 — The following was released by the Garden State Seafood Association:
On July 23, 2014 the Senate Commerce Committee approved S. 2094, the “Vessel Incidental Discharge Act” which contains a permanent exemption from EPA NPDES discharge permits for all commercial fishing vessels regardless of size, and for commercial-use vessels < 79’. This is a significant event in the 7-yr effort by the GSSA & GSSA staff and other industry groups to permanently address this issue. With the help of Congressman LoBiondo the House has already approved similar legislation.
Sens. Boxer (D-CA) and Cantwell (D-WA) were recorded as opposed to the bill. Sen. Boxer voiced concerns over ballast water discharges, spread of aquatic invasive species, intrusion on a State’s rights to protect their waters, weakening of the Clean Water Act, and jurisdictional overlap with the Environment and Public Works Committee which she currently chairs. Sen. Boxer did make a point that she is interested in supporting an extension of the current moratorium on NPDES permits for fishing boats and smaller commercial vessels.
Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) who sponsored S.2094 agreed to work with Sen. Boxer to address her concerns in the coming weeks. This process will continue in the Senate and also between House and Senate staff as they seek to resolve the issue before the EPA implements final permit requirements on all commercial fishing vessels starting December 19, 2014. GSSA staff will continue to work with Congressional staff on these issues.
The GSSA & GSSA staff would like to extend their thanks to the Members and Committee Staff in the House and Senate that helped us move this issue toward a positive resolution. GSSA President Ernie Panacek said "while this legislative fix seems simple enough, without it many fishing boats, particularly the smaller ones, might have been forced out of business. Our thanks go to everyone involved."
Read a PDF of the release here