Ahead of Senate EPW Meeting, Harvesters Urge Congress to Act on Vessel Discharge Exemption

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:December 2, 2014Ahead of Senate EPW Meeting, Harvesters Urge Congress to Act on Vessel Discharge Exemption“Every day wasted means thousands of American seafood harvesters inch closer to the edge of a dangerous fish cliff.”Washington, DC – With the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works scheduled to hold a Business Meeting this morning on issues that include a bill dealing with vessel discharge permits (S. 2963, introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer), Seafood Harvesters of America President Chris Brown renewed the Harvesters’ call for a solution by the December 18th expiration of the existing moratorium:“Along with recent legislation introduced by Senators Rubio and Murkowski, the Seafood Harvesters of America appreciate all efforts by Senator Boxer and others to extend the moratorium on the EPA’s vessel discharge permit requirements right away. Now that it’s clear we have such strong bipartisan support for a solution, both sides must work together to get this done – there’s no excuse for further delay.“Since the clock is ticking, every day wasted means thousands of American seafood harvesters inch closer to the edge of a dangerous fish cliff of burdensome red-tape and costly fines. All recreational vessels are permanently exempt from these requirements, and commercial fishermen are seeking a level playing field. While we remain committed to long-term relief for America’s commercial fishermen, our top priority is for Congress to get a bill, which adequately addresses this issue, to the President’s desk before it’s too late.”###Background:U.S. Senate Committee on EPW – Full Committee Business Meeting on vessel dischargePolitico - THE ‘FISH CLIFF’ BILLThe Hill - GOP bill would give EPA’s fishing regulations the hookHouma Today - Exemption proposed for deck runoff rulesSeafood Harvesters of America (“The Harvesters”), an umbrella association representing 15 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.