Groups join to form national lobbying coalition

Jessican Estapa,  E&E News June 5, 2014Commercial fishermen from around the country have come together to form the Seafood Harvesters of America, a new national organization designed to represent their interests in the policy arena in Washington, D.C.Fourteen fishing organizations representing areas ranging from the New England coast to Alaska's Bering Sea have signed on to the group. The goal is to have their views represented as lawmakers and federal agencies move forward with laws and policy that affect their businesses."We really saw a need to work cooperatively on our issues," said Brett Veerhusen, the group's executive director.Seafood Harvesters has been in the works for a couple years, he said. Foundational meetings began last year, resulting in today's announcement.At the top of their priority list is having a say in the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. A proposal from House Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) was passed by the committee last week, and Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) has floated his own draft.As legislation moves forward, the group would like to see accountability measures put in place for recreational anglers."We strongly believe that Magnuson-Stevens is a policy Americans should be proud of," he said.Other priorities will include lobbying for sufficient funding for stock assessments, advancing cost-effective catch-monitoring programs and pushing for more cooperative fisheries management and research.The associations that have joined the group are: Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers, the Alaska Whitefish Trawlers Association, the American Shark Fishery Partnership, the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance, the Fishing Vessel Owners' Association, the Fort Bragg Groundfish Association, Georges Bank Cod Fixed Gear Sector Inc., the Gulf Fishermen's Association, the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance, the New Hampshire Groundfish Sectors, the North Pacific Fisheries Association, the Rhode Island Commercial Fishermen's Association, the South Atlantic Fishermen's Association and United Catcher Boats.Subscription Access Only