Seafood Harvesters Respond to Rubio’s Legislative Priorities for Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization

Washington, DC – On behalf of the Seafood Harvesters of America, Vice President and Board member John Schmidt (of the Gulf Fishermen’s Association) and Board Member Jack Cox (of the South Atlantic Fishermen’s Association) issued the following joint statement on U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s introduction of the Florida Fisheries Improvement Act, which lays out his legislative priorities for fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic:“While we appreciate Senator Rubio’s support of increased funding for stock assessments, surveys and data collection, the Harvesters will continue championing a final bill that ensures shared accountability for commercial and recreational fishermen to sustain America’s seafood supply.  The Harvesters greatest concern remains a proposal that would force the South Atlantic and Gulf Regional Fishery Management Councils to review allocations based on arbitrary political deadlines.  Reallocating fishery resources to recreational users who do not adhere to the same scientific monitoring and accountability requirements as commercial fishermen, could destabilize commercial fisheries that are economically critical to coastal communities all across the country.  Before rushing a bill through Congress, we should take the time to get it right.”###Background:

Seafood Harvesters of America (“The Harvesters”), an umbrella association representing 14 commercial fishing organizations from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico north to New England. For more information, please visit seafoodharvesters.org or contact (202) 888-6296.