Newly-formed National Coalition of Fishing Groups Calls on Congress for Further Actions on the Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act
The Fishing Community Coalition (FCC) is a newly formed coalition of community-based, small boat fishing groups across the nation. Drawn together by common values of science-based management and community preservation, the FCC is committed to rebuilding marine ecosystems and restoring fishing economies in the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).
“Healthy fishing communities through healthy fisheries,” is the central principal of the FCC, formed specifically to ensure that MSA reauthorization moves our nation forward in our fisheries management regime. According to the FCC, current drafts of the MSA in both the House and Senate fall far short of what is needed to ensure a healthy future for fisheries and fishing communities.
In a letter sent today to the Chairs of the House and Senate committees charged with developing legislation to reauthorize the MSA, the Fishing Community Coalition said, “We cannot realize the full potential—biologically, socially or economically—of our nation’s marine fisheries without robust and well-managed fish stocks as well as strong protections for fisheries access in traditional fishing ports. A reauthorization that simply reaffirms the status quo, or, worse, moves backwards, is something our Nation’s fisheries and fishermen cannot accept. We can and must do more.”
The Fishing Community Coalition’s membership includes the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, Alaska Marine Conservation Council, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association.