Committee Passes Stevens-Inouye Oceans Legislation

Press Release

Committee Passes Stevens-Inouye Oceans Legislation
Marine Mammal Rescue and Maritime Administration Bills Await Senate Consideration

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has approved two pieces of oceans legislation championed by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Dan Inouye (D-Hawaii). Both the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Reauthorization Act and the Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments Act gained unanimous support from the committee during today's markup.

MARAD's mission is to improve and strengthen America's marine transportation system by ensuring the safety and security of the nation's seagoing commerce. The measure contains provisions sponsored by Senator Stevens to assist Alaskan fishermen to better market their catch and direct the Coast Guard to prepare vessel risk assessments in Cook Inlet and the Western Aleutians.

"These risk assessments are vital," said Senator Stevens. "The Aleutians shipping route is one of the most traveled in the Western Hemisphere and over half of Alaska's population live within 100 miles of the Cook Inlet. We want to make sure that all vessels navigating those waters have a safe route mapped out."

The other bipartisan bill passed today would amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act to update the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Funding Program, established in 2000 to help defray the high cost of recovery and rehabilitation of marine mammals.

"This recovery work is an important part of conserving these species," said Senator Stevens. "This legislation will improve the program's ability to rescue stranded and entangled marine mammals. It will also help improve future emergency rescue efforts."

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