March 9, 2014 — VA Rep. Whittman's “Healthy Fisheries through Better Science Act” strikes directly at one of the biggest challenges in fisheries management. The legislation would require managers to develop a plan to undertake timely stock assessments. It also requires them to do a better job of involving the people who understand what is happening on the water: commercial fishermen.
Every 10 years, the time comes for Congress to re-examine the way our country manages its fishing industry. Congress has now begun the process to reauthorize the nation’s premier fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).
Since its passage, the MSA has helped fishermen begin to rebuild stocks across our shores and create more sustainable, more prosperous fisheries. As with any law regulating business, making adjustments to address on-the-water problems is an important part of the process. The good news is that MSA is largely working and lawmakers only need to focus on small adjustments to its implementation.
Critical to the changes being discussed during this reauthorization are improvements in the science of stock assessments. Stock assessments tell fishermen and managers if the population of a fish, like blue crab or striped bass, is doing well and if we can expect continued health among the younger fish. Moreover, stock assessments dictate increases in how much fishermen can catch — something that directly affects our bottom line.
Reliable and timely stock assessments are crucial to the fishing industry and all fishermen.
Ken Smith is president of the Virginia Waterman’s Association.
Read the full opinion piece at the Richmond Times-Dispatch