Members of the recreational, charter, and commercial fishing industries have joined hands and met with Members of Congress and congressional staff in support of bipartisan legislation which promotes healthy populations of fisheries and fishing communities. It is informed that H.R. 5425, the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fishery Act of 2008, co-sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Henry Brown (R-SC), Barney Frank (D-MA), and Walter Jones (R-NC) would provide a measure of flexibility into the management process without compromising conservation goals.
Currently the law requires a total rebuilding of the stock of certain “overfished” species within 10 years, often requiring drastic reductions in fishing quotas and in some cases a complete or effective shut-down of the fishery. According to James A. Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and its members continue to fight for fishing organizations nationwide. He was encouraged by the level of bipartisan support we have received for this legislation.
Donofrio also mentioned that congressional support for H.R. 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. Robert Spaeth, Southern Offshore executive director, opined that the spirit of cooperation between the sectors was amazing. Everyone there recognized the passion we have in common–fishing. According to him unitedly they can effect positive change for the resource and the fishermen no matter if you were commercial, charter or recreational.
