Two senators on opposite coasts, each from a state with a rich maritime tradition, are key to passing legislation requiring the first overhaul of standards and inspections for the nation’s fishing fleet.
Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell chairs the Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe is the subcommittee’s senior Republican member.
The Senate has been the Bermuda Triangle of vessel-safety legislation, and it will take purposeful effort by these two lawmakers to address a fundamental flaw in overseeing an industry with the nation’s highest worker fatality rate.