Pallone: Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Needs Work, House Committee Passes Pallone Amendment to Improve Fisheries Data Collection

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), a senior member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, criticized the Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization bill offered by Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) as being too partisan. The bill would amend and reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), which is the law governing management of fisheries in the United States.

“It had been my hope that this reauthorization would have taken a more bipartisan approach to reform fisheries policies,” said Pallone. “While the bill includes important fisheries management reforms I strongly support, such as important flexibility language and modifications to the annual catch limit requirements, I am troubled by language in the bill that would make unnecessary changes to important environmental protection policies. In its current form, it is unlikely that the bill would pass in the Senate or be signed into law.”

The bill would vest National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) authority in the fishery management councils instead of with the appropriate federal agencies, according to Pallone. Pallone voiced his concern that the regional councils lack the expertise to appropriately review and analyze the impacts and requirements of NEPA or the ESA.

Congressman Pallone offered his own amendment to the bill, which was passed by the committee, to ensure the fishery management councils are collecting the best information possible about recreational fishing based on scientific data.

“New Jersey’s fishing industry is an important economic driver for our state, generating billions of dollars in annual revenues and supporting tens of thousands of jobs,” said Pallone. “My amendment will help us better understand the actual health and viability of fisheries based on the collection of sound scientific data to help ensure that the fishing industry can thrive.”

As a senior member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs, Congressman Pallone has repeatedly called for reforms in federal law to help New Jersey’s recreational and commercial fishermen who can face restrictions in their catch limits based on insufficient data and poor science. Pallone added that he would continue to work with Republican leadership to change the NEPA and ESA provisions as the bill moves to the House floor.

Pallone Announces Bill to Help Fishing Industry Recoup Post-Sandy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, April 8, 2013

The First Sandy Supplemental Aid Bill Will Assist in Recovery of Fisheries Disaster and Plug Shortfall in Sandy Relief Package


BELFORD, NJ – Today at the Belford Seafood Co-op, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced his plan to introduce the first Superstorm Sandy supplemental emergency aid bill that will assist the fishing industry and coastal communities badly impacted by the storm. Pallone’s legislation provides $193 million to fully fund the estimated cost to recover storm affected fisheries.

The funding would support both commercial and recreational fishing industries. Recreational fishing infrastructure such as marinas, tackle and bait stores and public access points for fishing that were impacted by Sandy will be eligible for funds under the bill. Pallone spoke today with commercial fishermen to discuss the damage they suffered and what assistance is needed for a full recovery.

“Fishing is a strong contributor to the economy, providing our nation with fresh seafood and recreational opportunities,” said Pallone. “Now, it is our turn to support our fishermen by making a commitment of fisheries disaster assistance that really takes into account the amount of damage they suffered.”

The bill is already gaining traction throughout Congress, with fellow New Jersey Congressman John Runyan (NJ-03) and Long Island Congressman Tim Bishop (NY-01), whose districts were also badly damaged by Sandy, joining Pallone as original co-sponsors of the legislation.

"Eastern Long Island's fishing industry was struggling even before Sandy dealt a devastating blow to the Montauk and Shinnecock fleets," said Congressman Tim Bishop.

“We know the scope of the fishery resource disaster in the Northeast, and now Congress needs to step up to with funding sufficient to ensure the recovery of the Long Island fishery and the families that rely on it.”

“I am pleased to support this legislation which will bring much needed aid to New Jersey fishermen,” said Congressman Runyan. “I am disappointed that NOAAs late release of the estimates precluded us from working to include this funding in the sandy package. However, I will continue to fight on behalf of New Jersey fishing communities to ensure they get the disaster aid they need to recover.”

Last month, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a report detailing the economic and socio-economic effects of Superstorm Sandy on the fishing industry and fishing-related businesses and infrastructure in New Jersey. The report estimated total uninsured losses of $78 million to $121 million for New Jersey’s fishing industry and coastal communities due to Sandy. The impact on the commercial fishing industry, which contributed $2.4 billion to New Jersey’s gross state product in 2011, is estimated to be $14 million. Pallone’s statement on the report can be viewed here.

The funding package passed by Congress in the wake of Superstorm Sandy included only $5 million for fisheries disaster assistance, far below the initial $150 million passed by the U.S. Senate.

“The shore is my home, and I know what fishing means to life here. That’s why I am introducing this bill as soon as I get back to Washington,” added Pallone.

Pallone Statement on NOAA Report Estimating Up to $121 Million in Economic Damage to New Jersey Fishing Communities and Industry

Washington, DC – Following Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.’s (NJ-06) questioning on the matter at a House Energy and Natural Resources hearing earlier this week, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today released a report detailing the economic and socio-economic effects of Superstorm Sandy on the fishing industry and fishing-related businesses and infrastructure for New Jersey. Congressman Pallone released the following statement:

"NOAA’s report today affirms exactly what we expected: Superstorm Sandy was a disaster of epic proportions to New Jersey’s fishing industry and coastal communities that rely on the economic and recreational benefits of the fishing industry. Despite the Senate originally passing a Sandy aid package with $150 million worth of fisheries disaster relief, the Republican controlled House insisted on gutting the bill to include only $5 million, an insufficient amount that does not even begin to address the magnitude of the damage done to our fishing communities.

"The report released today by NOAA estimates total uninsured losses of $78 million to $121 million for New Jersey’s fishing industry and coastal communities due to Sandy. It found that businesses supporting recreational fishing suffered the most damage, estimated in the range of $62 million to $105 million in New Jersey. The impact on the commercial fishing industry, which contributed $2.4 billion to New Jersey’s gross state product in 2011, is estimated to be $14 million.

“Unfortunately, fisheries science and research are already woefully underfunded even though the commercial and recreational fishing industries are critically important contributors to our economy, supporting 54,000 jobs before Sandy. This is why Congress should have moved forward with a greater amount of fisheries disaster relief funding, which I pushed for, and the Senate passed. It is greatly unfortunate that efforts to reduce fisheries disaster aid were successful and that now our coastal communities are left to suffer the burden, leaving our state’s economy even further under water.

“I will continue to aggressively advocate in Congress for full funding to recover from this massive disaster that had such a dramatic impact on so many New Jerseyans.”