SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton — June 5, 2014 — A new organization uniting some of the most effective regional seafood harvester groups has been formed, called Seafood Harvesters of America.
More than a dozen commercial fishing associations from all different regions of the country are announcing the creation of the only national organization of its kind representing the interests of U.S. fishermen that provide wild seafood to American consumers, ahead of this year’s Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
Leaders from important fisheries in key regions make up the new organization’s five-member board, including Chris Brown (Rhode Island Commercial Fishermen’s Association, John Schmidt (Gulf Fishermen’s Association, Jack Cox (South Atlantic Fishermen’s Association), Brent Paine (United Catcher Boats) and Mark Gleason (Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers).
With wide-spread support, from New England and the Gulf of Mexico to the Bering Sea in Alaska, the Seafood Harvesters of America will work to ensure a plentiful and lasting seafood harvest for generations to come.
Harvesters’ mantra is “accountability,” and it intends to make its voice heard on regulatory issues, budget priorities, conservation goals and the economic potential of America’s fisheries, among others.
Heading up Seafood Harvesters of America as its president is Chris Brown, who is well-known both as a commercial fisherman and as an advocate for U.S. fisheries.
Brown will participate alongside National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) assistant administrator Eileen Sobeck and National Geographic fellow and restaurateur Barton Seaver on a CHOW panel titled “The Future of American Fisheries,” on Thursday, June 12.
“What makes the Seafood Harvesters different is its unprecedented coast-to-coast support, from both industry and the environmental sector. We will partner with the National Marine Fisheries Service to advance the sustainability and accountability of our nation’s marine resources. Through Harvesters, America’s commercial fishermen will be at the table when important decisions are made,” said Brown.
“The focus of Seafood Harvesters – and in the Gulf of Mexico, where I fish – is on accountability. Every fishery in our country, commercial or sport, must demonstrate accountability and transparency in order to continue harvesting a public resource. This is just common sense, and the American people deserve no less. Seafood Harvesters are proud to deliver delicious and sustainable seafood to dinner tables across the country and globally,” said John Schmidt of the Gulf Fisehrmen's Association.
Mark Gleason of the Bering Sea Crabbers: “Seafood Harvesters of America include commercial fishermen from New England, to the Florida Keys, to the Bering Sea in Alaska. Although our fisheries are very diverse and many of our organizations have critical needs at the regional level, through a very deliberative and thorough process we’ve been able to identify a set of common interests and positions on issues of national policy that we now hope to communicate to policy makers in Washington, DC. Most recently, we’ve engaged in the dialogue around MSA Reauthorization. The ability to speak with a unified, nationwide voice on this import piece legislation is unique in the commercial fishing world as far as I’m aware.”
So far, 14 organizations have already thrown their support behind Seafood Harvesters of America. The diversity of Harvesters’ members reflects the complexity of federal fisheries, as well as the enormous contribution of the commercial industry to America’s coastal communities.
Both chambers of Congress are now circulating draft MSA bills, and one of the Harvesters’ top priorities will be to ensure that the law maintains strict catch limits and does not erode any of the progress commercial fishermen have made with rebuilding fish stocks.
“Our members strive for strict accountability and science-based decision making to ensure healthy stocks for generations,” adds Brett Veerhusen, the new executive director of the Seafood Harvesters of America.
In addition to the Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization, the Seafood Harvesters of America will work to:
–Ensure sufficient funding for well-designed stock assessments
–Promote accountability in commercial and recreational fisheries management
–Advance cost-effective catch-monitoring programs
–Advocate for an increased role in cooperative fisheries management and cooperative research
This story originally appeared on Seafood.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.