Environmentalists join fishermen, chefs in opposing Senate fisheries bill

(WASHINGTON – February 26, 2018) Members of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee are preparing to vote on a fisheries bill, S. 1520, which has drawn broad concern and opposition from commercial fishermen, chefs and environmentalists. 

Today the Environmental Defense Fund joined five other environmental organizations to urge members of the Senate’s Commerce Committee to vote “No” on Wednesday when the bill is scheduled to be considered. National commercial fishing organizations and more than 150 prominent chefs have also alerted the committee to their concerns with the legislation. (Links to their letters are included below.)

The following is a statement from Matt Tinning, Senior Director, U.S. Oceans Program, Environmental Defense Fund. 

“We strongly support real solutions that improve the access and experience of recreational saltwater anglers. Unfortunately, S.1520 fails to address the root causes of angler frustration, while endangering key commercial fisheries and undermining conservation standards.

“Senators should oppose S. 1520 and the threat to our nation’s seafood industry that it represents. Senators should instead encourage regionally-driven efforts to pioneer real solutions for recreational fisheries management.”

Click here for a collection of letters expressing concerns with S. 1520 from more than 30 commercial fishing organizations. 
Click here for a letter from more than 150 prominent U.S. chefs. 
Click here for an analysis of S. 1520 from Monica Goldberg of Environmental Defense Fund.