Saving Seafood

New American Fisheries Advisory Committee members to recommend funding priorities

November 11, 2022 — Twenty newly named members of the American Fisheries Advisory Committee will steer federal funding for fisheries research and development projects.

With members drawn from six U.S. regions plus national at-large seats, the panel counts accomplished fishermen, researchers and marketing experts among its skill set – names like Rebecca Skinner of Alaska Whitefish Trawlers, Louisiana oyster expert John Supan, Lori French from Faces of California Fishing, and former National Fisherman editor Jessica Hathaway, now with marine resources consultants Ocean Strategies.

The committee was established by the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act in May 2022 to make recommendations for Saltonstall-Kennedy priorities and grant award funding.

The AFAC Act requires the committee to have three representatives from each of six regions of the U.S. sea coast and Great Lakes, as well as four at-large members. These must include one representative each from the retail and marketing sector, commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries, and NOAA Fisheries.

Members from each of the six regions represent seafood sectors including processors, recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood farmers, fisheries scientists, and regional fishery management council members.

The committee’s first meeting will be held in Seattle, Washington, the week of Dec. 12, to evaluate and make recommendations for the annual Saltonstall-Kennedy grant competition.

Read the full article at National Fisherman

Letter: Act brings fishermen back to grant process

June 16, 2022 — The president just signed a bill, passed by the Senate and House, regarding Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant funds.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will no longer select those who apply. This bill will create an advisory panel as there was in 1954. The American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act brings back the board of experts, with members chosen regionally and across all sectors of the fishing industry, to bring fishermen back into the process of identifying needs and funding priorities. Up to now NOAA has had complete control [over who] would receive these funds.

Read the full letter at the Gloucester Times

Domestic seafood marketing funds back on the table

March 23, 2022 — On March 11, the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act (S-497) sailed through the Senate, making way (again) for a return to funding for domestic seafood R&D and marketing. An identical bill is now awaiting House approval for the last steps in this retro makeover of the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act.

In 1954, the S-K Act, was established to give U.S. seafood a boost with research and development into new products, as well as funds to market them.

If passed and signed, the act would establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee, which would become the U.S. seafood industry’s voice in directing 10 percent of the S-K grant funds back to their original purpose.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

Congressman Don Young Introduces Legislation to Protect Oceans and Marine Life

May 12, 2021 — The following was released by The Office of Congressman Don Young (R-AK):

Today, Alaska Congressman Don Young introduced the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act, legislation to direct NOAA to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee with the goal of keeping fishing communities healthy and viable through local collaboration, data collection, and expanded research investments. Upon introduction, Congressman Young was joined by Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata (R-AS).

“Since I first came to Congress, I have made protecting our oceans and fisheries one of my highest priorities,” said Congressman Don Young. “The American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act is a critical piece of legislation that will help protect our oceans for generations to come. Alaska has more coastline than any other state in the nation, and our oceans play a central role in our culture, economy, and way of life. This is not only an environmental issue, but an economic one as well. Without healthy oceans, Alaska’s seafood industry cannot succeed; this bill is as critical for our fishermen and processors as it is for our precious ecosystems. I am grateful for the support of my friend, Congresswoman Amata, and will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it across the finish line.”

“In American Samoa, the ocean is always part of our daily lives, and fishing is our community’s economic backbone,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to my friend, Dean of the House Don Young for this important effort. The American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act can help protect the healthy ocean we depend on so that we can preserve fishing as part of our way of life.”

“The American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act may be the very best piece of legislation for the U.S. seafood industry,” said Bruce Schactler, Director of the National Seafood Marketing Coalition. “This bill will serve not only as a tool for developing a larger footprint in the marketplace, but will also address what the seafood industry at all levels feels is the most needed to help move forward.”

Fisheries marketing bill passes Senate unanimously

October 16, 2018 — On Aug. 22, the Senate passed bill 1322 to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee with unanimous consent.

“That’s a big deal,” said Bruce Schactler, who helped write the bill and has been advocating for different versions of this committee for nearly a decade as a member of the National Seafood Marketing Coalition.

“Who passes anything out of the Senate unanimously?” asked Schactler. “Who passes anything out of the Senate at all, let alone unanimously?”

The Senate referred the bill to the House Natural Resources Committee, where it awaits markup to be sent to the floor for a vote.

If the House does pass the bill this year, then in the 2019 fiscal year, 10 percent of the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant funds would be delegated specifically to fisheries research and development. Proposals would be reviewed by a new committee of industry representatives, including fishermen, seafood marketers, processors, aquaculture stakeholders, and six regional seats.

“What we’re hoping will happen is the House takes this version verbatim and passes it as is,” Shactler added.

Looming on the horizon is another session of Congress, which would mean starting all over again.

Read the full story at National Fisherman