Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - April 02, 2008)

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Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President. I rise today to introduce legislation to aid an industry that is vital to the State of Florida and that, like many others in this Nation, is suffering during the current economic downturn: the charter and recreational fishing industry.

I am introducing the Charter and Recreational Fishing Collective Marketing Act of 2008. This bill would allow charter boat and other recreational fishermen to act together in associations for the purposes of catching, producing, and marketing aquatic products. By gaining strength in numbers through such associations, charter and recreational fishermen could negotiate lower prices when purchasing services and products, such as insurance, fuel, ice, and other supplies.

If they choose to do so, this bill would also allow these associations to implement vessel capacity reduction programs--in other words, to buy-out those members who already wish to leave the industry voluntarily but lack the financial wherewithal to do so. These associations could also undertake research, such as scientific monitoring of their fisheries, and in the process help improve conservation and management of fishery resources.

Mr. President, this legislation does nothing more than provide charter and recreational fishermen the same rights and abilities to work collectively that commercial fishermen have enjoyed since 1934. This legislation has no hearing on fishing allocations or related regulations. In light of the great economic challenges that our country is facing, we have an obligation to ensure the viability of industries that support our coastal communities. The Charter and Recreational Fishing Collective Marketing Act of 2008 would help us meet that obligation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.

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