Members of the Seafood Harvesters of America will be in our Nation’s capital next week as part of the organization’s “National Outreach Days,” urging Congress to uphold the landmark Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA) and protect fishing jobs from Massachusetts to Texas and from California to Alaska.
During a series of meetings with key Senators, Representatives and staff, commercial fishermen from around the country will:
- Highlight the latest “Status of Stocks” report from NOAA Fisheries, which shows that the number of species considered to be “overfished” has hit an 18-year low. Regional Fishery Management Councils and fishermen have worked tirelessly to implement MSA’s vision through the best available science, increased accountability, and co-management of fisheries to serve the needs of millions of American consumers and fishing-dependent coastal communities.
- Warn Congress that the job is far from finished, and these gains could easily be reversed if Congress abandons the existing MSA policies. For example, two weeks ago the Seafood Harvesters of America vehemently opposed a proposal in the Gulf of Mexico that could make it impossible for consumers to buy genuine American Red Snapper in grocery stores and restaurants. Accountable fisheries that abide by strict Annual Catch limits, using the best science possible, will ensure the seafood-consuming public maintains access to domestic sustainable seafood.
- Remind Congress about what’s at stake: the future of American seafood along with thousands of commercial fishing jobs from George’s Bank to the Bering Sea and from the Florida Keys to the California coast. Nearly all of them are small, family owned businesses passed from one generation to the next.
Seafood Harvesters of America leaders will be available to the media for interviews next week, including:
- Chris Brown (Chairman) — President of the Rhode Island Commercial Fishermen’s Association
- John Schmidt (Vice-President) — Board Member of the Gulf Fishermen’s Association and Florida Co-Chair of Share the Gulf
- Mark Gleason (Secretary/Treasurer) — Executive Director of the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers
- Buddy Guindon (Founding Member) – Executive Director of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance
Seafood Harvesters of America (“The Harvesters”) is an umbrella association representing 16 commercial fishing organizations from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico north to New England. For more information, please visit seafoodharvesters.org.