House Votes to Destabilize U.S. Fisheries

(Washington DC – June 1, 2015) Statement by Matt Tinning, Senior Director of Environmental Defense Fund’s U.S. Oceans Program:

“The House of Representatives put our proud record of success in U.S. fisheries management at risk tonight by passing HR1335. The bill creates loopholes that remove hard deadlines to rebuild depleted fisheries and could exempt hundreds of species from annual catch limits. It undercuts bedrock environmental laws, including the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Antiquities Act and National Marine Sanctuaries Act. And it imposes unnecessary restrictions on the decisions of regional fishery management councils, long the principal forums for fishery management in the United States.

 “The turnaround of U.S. fisheries has been one of the great conservation success stories of the last two decades. Overfishing in federal waters is being eradicated, and depleted stocks are rebuilding at an impressive rate. In an April report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that overfishing and overfished numbers hit all-time lows in 2014, and that the number of stocks fully rebuilt since 2000 now stands at 37. The beneficiaries are coastal communities, commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, and American seafood consumers – all of whom rely on thriving, sustainable fisheries for their livelihoods, wellbeing, and way of life. EDF is proud to have worked side by side with fishermen, NOAA, the regional fishery management councils, and other stakeholders as these gains have been made.

“Rather than weaken a successful federal law, we should focus our energies on effective implementation. The regional fishery management councils have the authority they need to address concerns where they exist, and to implement more innovative management approaches where required.

“If we stay the course and build on our record of success, the United States can cement its emerging stature as a global sustainable fisheries leader, and deliver a brighter future to all in this country who rely on healthy marine fisheries.”