The Gulf Seafood Institute, a four-month old organization whose mission is to protect the Gulf’s unique culture and environment while elevating the Gulf seafood brand, has been called by the House Natural Resource Committee to testify on the reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Act. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
by Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
A four-month old organization whose mission is to protect the Gulf’s unique culture and environment while elevating the Gulf seafood brand has been called by the House Natural Resource Committee to testify on the reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA).
David Krebs, a Florida board member of the Gulf Seafood Institute (GSI) and owner of Ariel Seafood in Destin, will address issues important to the Gulf of Mexico fisheries, as well as east and west coast fisheries.
Chaired by Doc Hastings (R-Wash), the aim of the house committee’s bill is to provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, while still maintaining key sustainability programs. Photo: House of Representatives
The ‘‘Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act’’ is the House Natural Resources Committee proposal on updating laws governing fisheries management in the United States. Its aim is to improve and strengthen many provisions of MSA.
Chaired by Doc Hastings (R-Wash), the aim of the house committee’s bill is to provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, while still maintaining key sustainability programs.
Florida Fisherman GSI Spokesperson
A lifelong commercial fisherman, Krebs has served on the Red Snapper Individual Fishing Quota Advisory Panel for the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and has studied catch share fishery management in New Zealand and British Colombia. He has also served on the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Limited-Access Privilege Program Advisory Panel, the King Mackerel Individual Fishing Quota Advisory Panel and as President of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance.
“This is a great honor for our young organization,” said Florida fisherman David Krebs, who will give testimony for the organization. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
“This is a great honor for our young organization,” said the Florida fisherman who will give his testimony on February 4th. “We feel it is important that the voice of Gulf fishermen, as well as industries that support this sustainable resource, be heard on this vital legislation that will have a definite impact on our coastal communities.”
The Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is the primary law governing marine fisheries management in the U.S. and last underwent a drastic overhaul in 2006. The House Natural Resource Committee is in the process of drafting a reauthorization of the act.
The Gulf Seafood Institute, a broad-based group representing all facets of the Gulf of Mexico seafood distribution chain, works with consumers, customers and policy leaders through advocacy, education and science.
“Given the reauthorization’s focus on several pressing issues facing fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, including regional management of the red snapper fishery, GSI is pleased to have this unique opportunity to testify,” said GSI board chairman Harlon Pearce, owner of New Orleans’ Harlon’s LA Fish and Seafood. “Having GSI as a witness before the House of Representatives further galvanizes the organization’s position as a leading voice for the Gulf seafood community.”
Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Originally enacted as the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, Magnuson–Stevens was enacted to promote the U.S. fishing industry’s optimal exploitation of coastal fisheries by consolidating control over territorial waters. It also established eight regional councils to manage fish stocks.
The act, amended numerous times in response to continued overfishing of major stocks, includes seven purposes:
1. Acting to conserve fishery resources
2. Supporting enforcement of international fishing agreements
3. Promoting fishing in line with conservation principles
4. Providing for the implementation of fishery management plans which achieve optimal yield
5. Establishing Regional Fishery Management Councils to steward fishery resources through the preparation, monitoring, and revising of plans which enable stake holders to participate in the administration of fisheries, as well as consider social and economic needs of states.
6. Developing underutilized fisheries
7. Protecting essential fish habitats
“Given the reauthorization’s focus on several pressing issues facing fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, GSI is pleased to have this unique opportunity to testify,” said GSI board chairman Harlon Pearce. Photo: Louisiana Seafood News
According to Krebs, GSI maintains the process outlined under MSA is working.
“The Department of Commerce, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils work together to monitor, manage and enforce a program that has led the United States to its position as a global leader in responsibly managed fisheries and sustainable seafood,” he explained. “Guided by the 10 National Standards of sustainability, these agencies monitor, manage and legally enforce all marine fisheries in the United States under the most restrictive regulations in the world.”
As a result, U.S. fish populations are rebuilding and overall fish abundance is improving. Since 2000, thirty-two fish stocks in the U.S. have been rebuilt meaning that routine stock assessments conducted by fishery scientists indicate that the abundance of the stock is above the maximum sustainable yield.
GSI’s Platform for Reauthorization
Prior to seeing the Committee’s discussion draft, GSI outlined a platform for reauthorization that included:
• Providing Flexibility in Rebuilding Timelines to better account for the biological needs of fisheries
• Increasing Flexibility in establishing Annual Catch Limits, taking into consideration the availability of accurate and timely data
• Identifying New Funding Sources for data collection, including monies collected from marine enforcement actions
• Increasing Responsiveness of Science and Statistical Committees
• Increasing Accountability and Ensuring Balance on the Regional Fishery Management Councils
Krebs’ written remarks will cover these broad-based issues in greater depth. A majority of his oral presentation, however, will focus on Section 10 of the House legislation which turns over management of the red snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf states.
As the lead witness from the Gulf region, Krebs is well positioned to frame theses issues in ways legislators can readily understand, as well as the impact this proposal will have on the commercial seafood community and consumers at large.
While in Washington, Krebs will conduct face-to-face meetings with key legislators from the Gulf delegation to ensure GSI’s platform on MSA and other pertinent seafood issues is understood.
“This opportunity comes at a perfect time for GSI,” he said. “ A broader group from the Board of Directors will be in Washington the week of Feb. 17th to continue moving the ball forward on Magnuson Stevens, red snapper and other key issues. With GSI’s strong focus on federal advocacy, the group looks forward to the hearing as being the first of many formal opportunities to engage policymakers on behalf of the entire Gulf seafood supply chain.”
Written Statement of of David Krebs, Testifying on Behalf of the Gulf Seafood Institute
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