Tag Archives: Magnuson reauthorization

Magnuson Reauthorization, let’s get it right this time – Nils E. Stolpe/FishNet USA

When the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) became law 0n April 13, 1976, one of its primary selling points, along with reserving the fish and shellfish in our coastal waters out to two hundred miles for U.S. fishermen, was that the eight regional Fishery Management Councils that it established had as voting members both government employees who were involved in fisheries management and private citizens who were knowledgeable about fisheries. Ideally this made for balanced decision making, allowing for both the official view of what’s going on in particular fisheries and the on-the-water observations of people with an actual working knowledge of the fisheries, and with the Secretary of Commerce required to sign off on any fishery management actions. (It’s important to note that this was well before supposed environmental crises were supporting a multi-billion dollar industry.) click here to read this article. 12:21

Giacalone Testifies before House Committie: “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act”.

966382_576848379002335_599159690_oToday, Vito Giacalone (NSC Board Member and Policy Director) testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources on their draft legislation, “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act”. Read his presentation here  17:00

Should the Scallop Industry that saved itself from NMFS doom regulate itself? You’re damned right it should!

Fisheries Survival Fund tells Senators scallopers have earned the  right to self-regulation; Argues regulators failed to solve problems when they could – Eric Hansen and Drew Minkiewicz of the Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF) , which represents the majority of the full-time Limited Access scallop fleet, testified  this morning at a Senate field listening session – Our investments and sacrifices have paid off. more here 09:04

RAY HILBORN: Magnuson Reauthorization must address food, jobs, and revenue, as well as fish

SEAFOOD.COM  – Ray Hilborn (Guest Editorial)  May 30, 2013 – Ray Hilborn is a Professor in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington,May 30, 2013 — Some would argue that the current low fishing logopressure is necessary to rebuild overfished stocks and once all stocks are rebuilt fishing pressure can rise again.  Under the current management system this will never happen because some stocks are always going to be depleted due to natural fluctuations and climate change, and, as we add annual catch limits for more species, the problem will only get worse. continued

Fish on Fridays: The Dollars and Science of Fishery Management

Earlier this month the House Committee on Natural Resources formally kicked off the Magnuson reauthorization festivities with a hearing that, according to Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), was “intended to highlight issues that could provide the basis for future hearings.” A hearing about future hearings: government efficiency at its finest. Most remarkable about this particular bit of political theater was,,, continue reading