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Jones says federal law is failing nation’s fishing communities
By SUSAN WEST  U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., told a House of Representatives subcommittee on Dec. 5 that federal law is failing the nation’s commercial and recreational fishing communities. “What we need is flexibility so that rebuilding can be done on a responsible timeline that allows for the stock to recover without making fishing communities extinct,” Jones said in remarks at a hearing on rebuilding overfished fisheries. In November, Jones introduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act (HR 4087) that would allow fisheries managers to extend the 10-year deadline in situations where fishing restrictions alone wouldn’t rebuild stocks, where economic impacts could be minimized while stocks are growing healthier, and where biological target goals are increased after fishery management plans have gone into effect. “Providing more flexibility can help keep jobs in fishing communities while rebuilding takes place,” said U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., co-sponsor of the bill. “If a few extra years would impose a less harsh economic burden on affected communities while still achieving the relevant targets, that is a reasonable way of helping to preserve local economies,” Frank said. But Lee Crockett, director of federal fisheries policy with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Environment Group, told the subcommittee that conservation could be compromised if rebuilding deadlines are extended to address economic impacts. And, University of New Hampshire professor Andy Rosenberg said his research showed that most fish stocks can be rebuilt within 10 years if mortality from fishing is reduced enough. Rosenberg said that when harvest levels are reduced quickly, stocks can rebuild faster. Fishermen such as Jeff Oden in Hatteras have said that commercial fishermen have to find other work and that fish houses, processing plants, and bait and tackle shops close when drastic harvest reductions and fishing restrictions go into effect. “Do they think I’ll sit around at the dock for 10 years waiting for a call telling me that I can go fishing again?” Oden said. Crockett said that without the 10-year deadline, fisheries managers would “delay and delay and delay” approving the restrictions necessary to conservation. But, Congressman Jones said, “It’s important to note that HR 4087 does not allow for open-ended extensions of the 10-year rebuilding period.” Congressman Tim Bishop, D-N.Y., signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill Tuesday. Bishop told the subcommittee that many of the businesses tied to the recreational fishing industry on Long Island could vanish under lower summer flounder quotas. “Once we lose those businesses, they are not coming back,” he said. Bishop said lawmakers should be able to find a process that achieves sustainable fish stocks without jeopardizing livelihoods and the cultural heritage of coastal communities. U.S. Rep. Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam, chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, did not indicate Wednesday whether HR 4087 would move forward. 
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