H.R. 3061 / S.632

On September 23, 2011, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), a senior member of the House Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee, introduced H.R. 3061, The Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011. "This legislation is the best way to rebuild our fisheries without bankrupting tackle shops, party boats and commercial fishermen," Pallone said. "We should be using sound biology and science when deciding how best to rebuild fish stocks.  Unfortunately, the current process of managing our nation's fisheries is based on arbitrary deadlines set by Congress, which has continued to negatively impact fishing communities."   Click Here to learn more about H.R. 3061

In March of 2011, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer introduced legislation in the Senate, authored by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) in the House, that will bring much-needed science-based modernization and flexibility to the outdated federal rules now stifling Long Island’s once thriving commercial and recreational fishing industry. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as it is presently written, requires any fishery designated by the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service as “overfished” be completely rebuilt within 10 years, a timeline Schumer argued was arbitrary, often too broad, not based on available science, and lacking reasonable exceptions.   Click Here to learn more about S.632

H.R. 2753 / H.R. 1646

On August 1st, 2011 U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) introduced legislation to bring sunlight to the proceedings of federal fisheries managers.  H.R. 2753 – The Fishery Management Transparency and Accountability Act – would require the federal Regional Fishery Management Councils and the Science and Statistical Committees (SSC) to broadcast their meetings live over the Internet.  It would also require the Councils to make transcripts and video/audio recordings of these meetings freely available to the public through their websites for three years after the meetings.   Click Here to learn more about H.R. 2753

On April 15th, 2011 Congressman Jon Runyan (NJ-3) officially introduced H.R. 1646, "The American Angler Preservation Act." This legislation seeks to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, to preserve jobs and coastal communities through transparency and accountability in fisheries management.   Click Here to learn more about H.R.1646

H.R. 2610 / H.R. 2772

On July 21st, 2011 U.S. Congressman Barney Franks (MA-4) introduced legislation to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to reform procedures for the payment of funds from the asset forfeiture fund, and for other purposes.   Click Here to learn more about H.R. 2610

On August 1st, 2011 Representatives Jon Runyan (NJ-3), Walter Jones (NC-3), and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18) introduced the “Saving Fishing Jobs Act of 2011.”  This legislation seeks to hold the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) accountable for fisheries management programs called catch shares that have been detrimental to fishermen throughout the Eastern and Gulf Coasts.   Click Here to learn more about H.R. 2772