Recreational fishing groups unite behind fishing legislation
By IBI Magazine
Leaders of the recreational, charter and commercial fishing industries met with members of the US Congress to propose new regulations for fisheries. The groups said they represent over 100 fishing organisations. HR 5425, the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fishery Act of 2008, according to a statement, would provide flexibility into the fisheries management process without compromising conservation goals. US law now requires a rebuilding of "overfished" species within 10 years, but the statement noted that requires drastic reductions in fishing quotas and sometimes a complete shutdown of the fishery. "The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and its members continue to fight for fishing organisations nationwide," said James Donofrio, executive director of the RFA, in a statement. "I am encouraged by the level of bipartisan support we have received for this legislation. HR 5245 is the first step to managing fish populations for both recreational and commercial purposes without compromising our conservation efforts or the rebuilding efforts initially established by the Magnuson-Stevens Act." Some members of the coalition predict that current laws could force about 25 per cent of the country's sportfishing charter fleet to go out of business this year. "The inflexibility of the current Magnuson-Stevens Act along with a slow economy and increasing fuel prices is causing unprecedented reductions in fishing effort every day," said Captain Bob Zales, II, executive director of the Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF), in the statement.
(23 July 2008)
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