On February 4, 2014 the House Committee on Natural Resources held its first hearing on the re-authorization of the important Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act. This legislation guides federal saltwater fisheries management. A discussion draft of the authorization bill had been distributed to interested groups several weeks before the hearing.

MRAA is generally pleased with the discussion draft — it provides increased flexibility in setting fish catch limits and provides more local control of fisheries management, but remains concerned that the discussion draft fails to adequately address the needs of recreational fishing.

The next discussion draft will be distributed to interested groups in March. MRAA’s President Matt Gruhn said, “MRAA applauds the work of the Natural Resources Committee so far with its common sense reforms, but believes the re-authorization of Magnuson-Stevens this year provides an opportunity for Congress to adequately address recreational fishing and its impact on the economies of local communities. We are looking for consistency in the law and regulations that can be provided by a national policy for recreational fishing.”