Fishermen from across the United States are currently gathered in front of the U.S Capitol in Washington, D.C., to voice their dismay with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Fishermen say the law, reauthorized in 2007 and originally enacted in 1976, sets unrealistic fish stock recovery goals based on questionable science and forces fisheries managers to impose harsh fishing restrictions.
Approximately 3,000 fishermen are reportedly at the rally, National Fisherman Editor and Publisher Jerry Fraser, who's attending the rally, told SeafoodSource on Wednesday afternoon. Fishermen held up signs that read "I want our red snapper back" and "NMFS: Destroying fishing communities and fishermen since 1976."
U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and several other congressman are speaking at the rally, said Fraser.
Dubbed "United We Fish," the rally was organized by Jim Hutchinson Jr. of the Recreational Fishing Alliance.
On Wednesday, Eric Schwaab, who was appointed as the assistant administrator for fisheries for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration just last week, released a statement addressing the rally.
"I recognize and appreciate the sacrifices being made today by the men and women in the commercial and recreational fishing industries to end overfishing and rebuild marine fish stocks as required by Magnuson. These sacrifices have the potential to result in significant long-term economic benefits to fishing communities and the nation as well as benefits to the overall ocean ecosystems," said Schwaab.
"We estimate that once the nation rebuilds all fisheries, which we are on a track to do and required to do by law, the dockside value of our commercial fisheries would go from USD 4.1 billion to USD 6.3 billion annually, a 54 percent increase," he added.
"I understand the criticism of the 10-year rebuilding timeframes in Magnuson. However, I believe Magnuson already contains the flexibility we need for rebuilding stocks by allowing certain exceptions based on biology and other issues. Balancing rebuilding for the long-term health of coastal communities with the immediate economic effects remains a challenge for everyone involved in implementing the act's mandate to end overfishing and rebuild stocks," said Schwaab.
February 24, 2010
