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Jones introduces legislation to give fisheries managers more flexibility
By SUSAN WEST  Legislation
introduced by U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., would give fisheries
managers flexibility in setting the timeframe for rebuilding fish
stocks to healthy, sustainable levels. Under the current Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, stock recovery is required to be completed in the shortest time possible, not exceeding 10 years in most cases. “The Magnuson Act’s arbitrary rebuilding schedules are proving harmful to America’s commercial and recreational fishermen and the families, businesses and communities they support,” said Jones in a press release describing the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2007 (HR 4087) that he introduced Nov. 6. “I do not understand why this government would require rebuilding of a fish stock in 10 years even when that causes widespread economic dislocation, when if given a few more years, the fish stock could be rebuilt with minimal economic hardship to fishermen. The lack of common sense here is stunning, and my constituents should not have to bear the burden,” Jones said. HR 4087 would allow federal fisheries management councils to extend the deadline for rebuilding stocks when fishing restrictions alone won’t result in healthy fish populations. The legislation also allows extended recovery time to minimize negative impacts on fishing communities while stocks are rebuilding, or in cases where the biological target goals in fisheries management plans have changed. Sean McKeon, president of the North Carolina Fisheries Association, a commercial fishing trade organization, said his organization fully supports the legislation. “Just because something helps fishermen doesn’t mean it is bad for the environment. This legislation doesn’t weaken or dilute conservation,” said McKeon. McKeon said his organization and other groups were disappointed when Congress failed to include flexible rebuilding timeframes in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act last year. The Recreational Fishing Alliance, an advocacy group for saltwater sportfishermen and industries headquartered in New Jersey, was one of those groups, according to executive director Jim Donofrio. Donofrio described a letter sent to fisheries council members from William Hogarth, director of the National Marine Fisheries Service, last week as “a real eye-opener” for many fishermen and Congressional leaders. The letter warned that unless more severe harvest reductions are in place next year, the summer flounder fishery could be shutdown in 2009, despite positive growth in the population under current regulations. “It’s not just about summer flounder. We have other stocks that are rebuilding but due to an arbitrary timeframe, recreational and commercial fishermen in the U.S. won’t have access to sustainable fisheries,” he said. “And, that’s what some extreme environmental groups want. What they are promoting is nothing short of environmental fraud,” said Donofrio. Most environmental organizations contacted after the legislation was introduced said that they had not had time to review it. However, Brooks Mountcastle with the Marine Fish Conservation Network, a national coalition of conservation organizations, said that Congress addressed flexibility in the reauthorization act last year. “There’s already flexibility in the law. (Fishery management) councils are required to follow the science, and the law gives them 10 years to rebuild stocks,” he said. “Councils need to rebuild fisheries sooner rather than later,” Mountcastle said. 
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