NMMA applauds the passage of H.R. 5946, legislation which reauthorizes and amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act. The Magnuson Act is the nation’s premier federal fisheries law.

After years of intense negotiations between recreational anglers, commercial fishing representatives and environmental groups, Sen. Stevens (R-Alaska) was able to negotiate a last-minute compromise version of his legislation, which he attached for procedural reasons to H.R. 5946, a high seas fisheries bill sponsored by House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo (R-Calif.). The Senate passed the measure late Thursday afternoon by unanimous consent and the House followed suit early Saturday morning. The measure now heads to the President for his signature into law, which is expected.

NMMA worked with a large coalition of recreational fishing groups and conservation organizations to attain this long-overdue reauthorization of the nation’s most important fisheries legislation.

The legislation contains important conservation measures, retaining the 10-year rebuilding timeframe and adding a deadline to end overfishing for depleted stocks, as well as provisions to strengthen the science committees which guide management decisions on allowable catch limits. The bill also contains provisions which will improve the collection and use of recreational fisheries data, including social and economic data. H.R. 5946 strengthens science-based management, builds in safeguards for limited access privilege programs and includes freedom to fish language that will guide fishery managers in the designation of marine protected areas under the Act. The bill requires that any such closure be based on the best available science, include economic and social impact assessments, first consider less restrictive alternatives and be reviewed periodically.