RFA TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE
Hearing On Magnuson Stevens Act Set for October 27, 2009 at 10 a.m.
October 26, 2009 - On Tuesday, October 27 at 10 a.m. (EST), the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, led by Del. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU), will hold an oversight hearing on implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2006 (MSA), signed into law on January 12, 2007.

The Subcommittee will explore the progress made by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Regional Fishery Management Councils in setting annual catch limits and accountability measures to end overfishing and rebuild overfished fish stocks, as required by MSA. The hearing will focus on how annual catch limits are set, efforts to improve the type and quality of information that informs management decisions, and successes and challenges of implementing annual catch limits and accountability measures.

Witnesses invited to testify include on behalf of the recreational fishing community include Herbert P. Moore, Jr., Esq., Gallagher, Briody & Butler; and Capt. Mark Brown of the Fishing Vessel Teaser 2. Moore of New Jersey and Brown of South Carolina are both members of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and are expected to give detailed expert testimony on how mandates within MSA are impacting the recreational fishing sector.

"It is our hope that serious discussion is given to the fatal flaws in the recreational survey methodology now destroying our recreational fishing communities in America," said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA. "The recent closures of red snapper, amberjack and black sea bass should serve as a wake-up call to Congress that our federal fisheries law is falling short of its requirement to protect both the fish and the fishermen," Donofrio said, adding "we're glad that a few of our coastal stakeholders will be there to provide first-hand analysis from the community."

Also expected to testify are Dr. Steven A. Murawski, Director of Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor at NMFS; Duane Harris, Chairman, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Dr. Andrew B. Cooper, Associate Professor, School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University; Shawn Stebbins, President and CEO, Archipelago Marine Research Ltd.; Randy Fisher, Executive Director, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission; Julian Magras, Chairman of the Board, St. Thomas Fishermen's Association; Capt. David T. Goethel, Fishing Vessel Ellen Diane; and Gregory DiDomenico, Executive Director, Garden State Seafood Association.

The Subcommittee hearing will be held in Room 1334 of the Longworth House Office Building in Washington DC, and also streamed live via the web from the Committee's Website at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov starting at 10 a.m. EST.