Congressmen Sam Farr (D-California) and Jay Inslee (D-Washington) have invited Members of Congress to attend a briefing on "Reviving Coastal Economies through Healthy, Vibrant Fisheries and Oceans."
Congressman Farr spoke against the Jones Amendment during the floor debate on H.R. 1.
Members are invited to join "…current and former directors of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and fishing leaders from the Gulf of Mexico and New England…".
The fishing leader from New England will be Glen Libby of Maine from the Midcoast Fishermen's Association. The fishing leader from the Gulf will be "Buddy" Guindon of Texas from the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance.
NMFS Administrator Eric Schwaab will be joined by former NMFS Administrator William Hogarth on the panel. Text of the "Dear Colleague" letter from Congressmen Farr and Inslee:
Dear Colleague:
We are writing to invite you to a briefing on Reviving Coastal Economies through Healthy, Vibrant Fisheries and Oceans.
When: Wednesday, March 2, 3:00-4:00 pm
Where: Capitol Building Room H-137
Panelists:
Dr. William T. Hogarth, Interim Director, Florida Institute of Oceanography at University of South Florida; and former Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2001-2007
Eric C. Schwaab, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Glen Libby, Chairman, Midcoast Fishermen's Association; and President, Midcoast Fishermen's Cooperative (Maine)
Keith "Buddy" Guindon, Treasurer, Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance Program; and Owner, Katie's Seafood, Inc. (Galveston, TX)
America's marine fisheries are a multi-billion dollar resource that provide food, jobs and recreation for tens of millions of people. In 2006, Congress passed and President Bush later signed into law a reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to protect and rebuild valuable fish stocks that can drive economic growth in coastal communities. Please join us to learn more about the MSA.
Congress passed the original Fishery Conservation and Management Act 34 years ago to address, among other things, the problem of overfishing. According to NOAA, as of December 31, 2010, more than 60 U.S. fish stocks are overfished or undergoing overfishing. An economically and environmentally sustainable domestic fishing industry would benefit fishermen and coastal communities of today and tomorrow.
Join us as current and former directors of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and fishing leaders from the Gulf of Mexico and New England discuss fisheries management and how the Magnuson-Stevens Act is being implemented. Dr. William T. Hogarth, Interim Director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography at University of South Florida, will provide a historical overview of U.S. fisheries management, the role of science in fisheries policy, and his experience at the helm of the National Marine Fisheries Service during the Bush Administration. Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at NOAA, will discuss the Obama Administration's efforts to implement the 2006 MSA amendments to end overfishing. Keith "Buddy" Guindon, a Gulf of Mexico commercial fisherman for more than 30 years, will describe the success of cooperative efforts underway to manage reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico and the impacts of the recent oil spill. Glen Libby, a Maine commercial fisherman will discuss the history of overfishing in New England, the recent shift to a new community-based system of fisheries management called sectors and early results of this shift in management.
We hope that you will be able to join us to learn more about our nation's efforts to put the fishing industry on a path toward sustainable growth and profitability.
We hope to see you there.