Rep. Young Supports Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act

Press Release

Alaskan Congressman Don Young today chaired a portion of the first in a series of Natural Resources Committee hearings on the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which will expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2013. Congressman Young voiced his support for the reauthorization of the legislation, which is the primary statute governing fishing activities in Federal waters.

During the hearing, the Natural Resources Committee heard from academics and industry representatives from around the country in addition to the acting head of the National Marine Fisheries Service, Sam Rauch, who all gave their recommendations on how to strengthen the bill going forward.

"As Congress proceeds with the reauthorization effort of Magnuson-Stevens, I advise all stakeholders to weigh in and share their recommendations for how to increase the effectiveness of this important piece of legislation," Rep. Young said. "The commercial fishing industry is the largest private employer in Alaska, so in the coming months I encourage all Alaskans to forward along ways to improve this bill -- which has effectively managed our wild fish stocks for decades, and hopefully will continue to do so for decades to come."

Source