Washington, D.C. – On Thursday December 1st, Congressman Jon Runyan (R-NJ) will testify in front of the Natural Resources Committee to discuss his two bills that aim to create jobs and help the commercial fishing industry.

“I am thankful that the Natural Resources Committee is continuing its fight for blue collar American jobs in the fishing industry,” stated Congressman Runyan.  “Commercial and recreational fishermen play a large role in New Jersey’s economy, especially in coastal communities, like those in Ocean County.  These common sense bills will remove crushing regulatory barriers and create jobs while also balancing conservation concerns.” 
HR 1664, The American Angler Preservation Act aims to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.  Congressman Runyan’s bill would bring transparency and accountability to the fisheries management process.  This includes the federal government’s overly cautious decisions based on bad science and poor statistical data.

HR 2772, the bipartisan Saving Fishing Jobs Act of 2011 seeks to re-evaluate the process of instituting controversial catch shares instituted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  The bill would require the Secretary of Commerce to terminate a catch share program if it reduces the total number of fishermen in the program.  The bill would also, among other provisions, give local fishermen the opportunity to vote for or against catch share programs via a referendum vote.  HR 2772 is endorsed by the non-partisan consumer watch dog Food and Water Watch.

The full Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on multiple bills including, H.R. 1646 the American Angler Preservation Act and H.R. 2772 the Saving Fishing Jobs Act of 2011, which were introduced by Rep. Runyan.  Congressman Runyan is scheduled to testify at this hearing.  Both pieces of legislation are supported by the Garden State Seafood Association.