LAME DUCK SESSION IN CONGRESS….

LAME DUCK SESSION IS PRETTY LAME

Welcome back!  Through this platform I will educate and engage you on what’s happening in the seafood industry, the politics, sustainability, and science. I am a guest writer on the Marine Fish Conservation (MFCN) Blog site HERE. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or feedback. Onto the information……

The management and regulation of the seafood industry is governed by the the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), which since 1976 has helped many fisheries rebuild and avoid the worst case, extinction. The MSA is due for reauthorization, but not until we build a comprehensive bill that keeps the key conservation measures in place, while adapting to the changing ocean conditions, and taking into consideration the recreational and commercial sectors of the seafood industry.

Sen. Wicker (R-MS) continues to try and move S.1520 during this lame duck session. While many democratic senators continue to oppose this legislation, due to many factors, especially politics, negotiations continue between several Democratic offices and Sen. Wicker. Thus, based on what we have been hearing, there still is the possibility of this moving during these last days in the Senate. Given the passing of former President Bush, the overall senate schedule will be delayed a bit and staff will have some additional time to discuss S.1520 as Sen. Wicker continues his efforts.

The MFCN has opposed this bill, we remain opposed to this bill and we’ve shared our position with Senate staff.

The current version being circulated is not an improvement and some would argue even regresses. The Network continues to find Secs. 101 and 103 objectionable and again, we remain opposed to any reference of reallocation and yet another review of LAPPs (limited access privilege programs).

Further, as we all have discussed and also shared with the Hill, the MFCN does not see any upside to advancing this legislation in the waning days of the 115th Congress. We strongly prefer to work on a comprehensive MSA reauthorization next year in the 116th Congress, as is widely expected to happen.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us on the MFCN Team. We are keeping a very close eye on this and is in regular communication with senate staff . We will continue to keep all posted on this.

In the meantime, we strongly encourage you & your networks to continue to CONTACT to Senate offices/staff asking them to OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION.

Thanks all & talk soon.

Lyf

Thank you.

Sustainable Fishmonger – Lyf Gildersleeve

Owner of Flying Fish Company Portland