Cummings: We Must Reduce the Risks Associated with Commercial Fishing

Press Release

Cummings: We Must Reduce the Risks Associated with Commercial Fishing

Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, convened the Subcommittee to examine the safety of commercial fishing vessels.

Witnesses included Congressman Barney Frank (D, MA); Rear Admiral Craig Bone, USCG, Assistant Commandant for Prevention; Dr. Jennifer M. Lincoln, CDC/NIOSH/Alaska Field Station; and Mr. Jerry Dzugan, Chairman, Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee.

Following the hearing, Congressman Cummings released the following statement.

"Fishing is the most dangerous job in the United States - but the witnesses who appeared before the Subcommittee today gave compelling testimony about the steps that could be taken to reduce the risks associated with life at sea; ensure uniform enforcement of existing regulations; enhance safety training; and, apply design, construction and maintenance standards to vessels.

"Witnesses spoke forcefully about the impact that safety training in particular has on raising awareness of safety among fishermen and women and on preparing them to respond quickly and appropriately to emergency situations to save their own lives and the lives of other crew members.

"Our Subcommittee is committed to ensuring that the men and women who fish for a living return home safely after each fishing trip. To that end, I will reconvene the Subcommittee in September to examine the progress the Coast Guard has made on pending regulations - some of which have been unfinished for more than 10 years."

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