Seafood Harvesters Respond to Congress Passing The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015

Seafood Harvesters Respond to Congress Passing The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015More certainty needed for larger vessels, alternative compliance programFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:February 2, 2016Washington, DC – The Seafood Harvesters of America issued the following statement after the House and Senate unanimously passed H.R. 4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015.The Seafood Harvesters of America commends the Senate and House for passing H.R. 4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015. We are pleased that Congress recognizes that the 2010 Coast Guard Authorization Act requirements impose significant costs for vessels measuring 50-190 feet in length. The 2015 bill attempts to address some of these burdensome costs for new vessels up to 79 feet in length by allowing these vessels to join the prescribed alternative safety compliance program, rather than be built and maintained to class. However, the Harvesters remain concerned about the effectiveness, added costs and timeline for implementation for the alternative safety compliance program to new and existing vessels.By attempting to measure vessel classification costs for larger fishing vessels 80-190 feet through a study conducted by the Government Accountability Office, the Harvesters hope Congress obtains the results it needs within one year to demonstrate that classification requirements impose significant burdens without increasing the safety of larger vessels within the commercial fishing industry.We are disappointed that H.R. 4188 did not extend an existing permanent discharge exemption granted for recreational vessels to commercial fishing vessels so the industry can continue to have certainty in our fishing businesses. The Harvesters look forward to working with Congress to protect not only the aquatic environment, but also the commercial fishing industry throughout the United States that depends on clean water for its livelihood.Small, family owned businesses are the hallmark of commercial fishing. These hard working fishermen now have some reassurances they need to continue to provide for their families while keeping them safe. However, more work needs to be done in order to develop solutions for our larger vessels, the alternative safety compliance program and a permanent solution to vessel incidental discharges.###Seafood Harvesters of America (“Harvesters”) is an umbrella association representing 17 commercial fishing organizations from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico north to New England. For more information, please visit seafoodharvesters.org or contact (314) 276-1062.