Seafood Harvesters Statement on Passage of Senate Bill 1520

For immediate release: December 6, 2018

Media contact: Leigh Habegger, Executive Director, leigh@seafoodharvesters.org

Seafood Harvesters Statement on Passage of Senate Bill 1520

Today, the Senate passed S. 1520, the “Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017,” introduced by Senator Wicker. Its passage reflects the result of staff, Senators, and stakeholders coming together to arrive at a strong, bipartisan agreement on the bill and we greatly appreciate the good faith effort shown on both sides of the aisle.

The bill provides opportunities for stakeholders to provide input and review fisheries management strategies. As we've seen today, working together and bringing stakeholders to the table provides better outcomes for all. We applaud these changes and thank Senator Wicker for including them.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Wicker, his staff, and the Commerce Committee in the next Congress on implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and improving fisheries management around the country,” said Christopher Brown, President of Seafood Harvesters of America. “Fishing is improved through the addition of more fish, not less, and we will continue to work with Senator Wicker and his staff to ensure our fisheries resources grow for all to enjoy.”

“This bill is the result of long hours and many negotiations on both sides of the aisle, and the consideration and incorporation of feedback from stakeholders. We are grateful for the diligence of Senate staff to produce legislation that enjoys such bipartisan support,” said Leigh Habegger, Executive Director of Seafood Harvesters.

The Seafood Harvesters of America represents 17 fishing organizations from the Bering Sea to the Gulf of Mexico and north to New England. Find more at www.seafoodharvesters.org.

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You can view a PDF of this statement here.