Thursday, October 22, 2015

Commercial and Charter Fishermen Send Opposition Letter to Congress on Eve of Red Snapper Hearing

Seafood Harvesters of America Join Commercial and Charter Fishermen in Opposition to the Red Snapper Management Authority Act

WASHINGTON . – Later today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans will hold a hearing on the Gulf States Red Snapper Management Authority Act (GSRSMA) – H.R. 3094. The bill, sponsored by Representative Garret Graves (R-LA) and originally introduced this summer, transfers management authority from the public and transparent federal process to the five Gulf states. This sets a dangerous precedent to unravel the success of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, a landmark piece of legislation.

The Seafood Harvesters of America vehemently oppose this bill. State control of red snapper would hurt small commercial fishing businesses and restaurants throughout the Gulf who locally source delicious, sustainable American seafood to millions of consumers.

The Seafood Harvesters and prominent advocates of the commercial and charter fishing industry recently sent a letter to Congress emphasizing the need to keep the Magnuson-Stevens Act the way it is.

Seafood Harvesters of America ("The Harvesters") is an umbrella association representing 17 commercial fishing organizations from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico north to New England. For more information, please visit www.seafoodharvesters.org.