Two pieces of legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California) and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) would strengthen conservation efforts around migratory birds and help protect them from commercial fishing operations.
“Bucks and Montgomery Counties are home to hundreds of diverse species of birds and ecosystems,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “Many of these migratory birds are facing threats of extinction, and we must engage in initiatives to enhance standards for the conservation of these vital species. I am proud to join this bipartisan legislation to protect vulnerable species and improve habitat conditions.”
The Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act would implement the endangered seabird protections outlined in the International Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), a multilateral agreement that produces conservation guides of best practices for protecting albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters from commercial fishing operations and other threats.
“As the world grapples with a biodiversity crisis, now is the time to ensure strong, clear, and longstanding protections for migratory bird species,” Huffman said. “By codifying the ACAP agreement, the United States can guarantee its leadership position for conservation and urge other nations to adopt strong standards to ensure international protections for endangered seabirds.”
A total of 13 nations have signed onto ACAP already.
The other bill, the Migratory Bird Protection Act, would amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) to clarify that the legislation’s ban on the unauthorized killing of migratory bids includes incidental take from commercial operations. The legislation would authorize the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to authorize incidental take via general permits.
“America’s bird populations are under unprecedented threat from a variety of hazards,” National Wildlife Federation Vice President for Conservation Policy Abby Tinsley said in a statement. “The bipartisan Migratory Bird Protection Act would help address these challenges by clarifying protections passed more than a century ago while encouraging measures that will limit unnecessary deaths. Congress should act swiftly to pass this commonsense bill.”
The Migratory Bird Protection Act has been endorsed by the American Bird Conservancy, Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife, National Wildlife Federation, and Wildlife Society.
“Combined with legislation that helps formalize and provide certainty for commercial and businesses interests to comply with the MBTA, my bills provide the opportunity for the United States to improve wildlife conservation both at home and around the world,” Huffman said.
