Washington DC- December 11, 2006 – Congress passed the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) in one of its final votes of the year.  The legislation reflects compromise between the House of Representatives and the Senate; Republicans and Democrats.  The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) appreciates the efforts of Congressional leaders, and the Bush Administration, to bring together conflicting agendas and to push for improvements to the way our fisheries are managed.

“As with any major legislative effort, you have to pick your battles and operate within the uncertain and constantly changing environment on Capitol Hill” said Jim Donofrio, RFA Executive Director.  The RFA commends Congress for improving recreational data collection, prohibiting arbitrary decisions on new no-fishing zones, recognizing the importance of the industry in making catch allocations and distributing disaster relief, and providing flexibility in the rebuilding time frame for summer flounder.“

The RFA successfully argued for inclusion of language to extend the rebuilding time frame for summer flounder. “NMFS indicated that they would use the language in the bill to grant recreational fishermen immediate relief.  We now have to work with NMFS to ensure that they do in fact take the necessary steps to implement an emergency rulemaking which increases the quota for summer flounder in the 2007 season,” according to Ray Bogan, RFA general counsel.  Members of the of the New Jersey and New York delegations were instrumental in getting this provision included.

Another amendment to the MSA calls for a new arbitrary time in which statutorily defined “overfishing” has to be ended. The RFA successfully argued that a balance of conservation and reasonable angling opportunities was justified and helped reduce the severity of this provision.

“The response from anglers was great. It’s invaluable to be able to tell anglers, captains and crews of for-hire boats, tackle shop operators and other marine businesses that their efforts were worthwhile”, explained Captain Tony Bogan, a Director of The United Boatmen of New Jersey and New York; an industry group which represents party and charter boat owners and operators. 

In the United States, the recreational fishing industry contributes more that $31 billion dollars per year. “The recreational fishing community really made their voice heard.  Senator Stevens, Senator Inouye, Congressman Pombo, others members of Congress, and Bush Administration officials listened to our concerns, and for that we are thankful” said Jim Donofrio.
