Resources Committee takes up reauthorization
of landmark fisheries management law

WASHINGTON - The House Resources Committee tomorrow will hold a hearing on H.R. 5018, the American Fisheries Management and Marine Life Enhancement Act, sponsored by Resources Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-Calif.), Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska). The Committee will also look at H.R. 1431, the Fisheries Science and Management Enhancement Act, sponsored by Resources Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-W.V.).

The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in 1324 Longworth.

"Tomorrow's hearing will be the sixth one we've had on Magnuson-Stevens. By the time it wraps up, we will have heard from 56 witnesses in the 109th Congress on the need to update and reauthorize this important legislation," Chairman Pombo said. "It's critical for the Resources Committee to pass flexible legislation that emphasizes science as the basis to manage our nation's fisheries, and we will continue to drive this process forward."

Both bills would reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, initially passed in 1976, which oversees fisheries resources and fishing activities in Federal waters and established the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils responsible for the conservation and management of U.S. Fishery resources.

"I look forward to working with Chairman Pombo and the other committee Members to ensure that the goals of the Magnuson Act are not only retained, but enhanced, during the reauthorization process," Ranking Member Rahall said.

For more information on Chairman Pombo's legislation - including a side-by-side comparison with the Senate's version - please click here.

Invited witnesses include the following: Ms. Wilma Anderson, Executive Director, Texas Shrimp Association; Mr. Dave Benton, Executive Director, Marine Conservation Alliance; Mr. Lee Crockett Executive Director, Marine Fish Conservation Network; Mr. James A. Donofrio, Executive Director, Recreational Fishing Alliance; Dr. William T. Hogarth Director, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce; Ms. Sally McGee, Marine Conservation Advocate, Environmental Defense; Dr. Don McIsaac, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council; Mr. Rod Moore, Executive Director, West Coast Seafood Processors Association; Mr. Chris Oliver, Executive Director, North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Mr. Ray Pringle, Florida Fishermen's Federation; Ms. Maggie Raymond, Associated Fisheries of Maine.