Saving Seafood

HUFFMAN, GRIJALVA, CASE ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON INSPECTOR GENERAL AUDIT OF WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

November 16, 2021 — The following was released by the Office of Congressman Jared Huffman:

Water Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee Chair Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Rep. Ed Case (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Gregorio Sablan (D-CNMI) issued the following joint statement regarding the recent audit of the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund (WPSFF) conducted by the Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General.

The audit found that the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council (WESPAC) and its sub-recipients claimed questionable costs of more than $1.2 million in awards – 40% of all costs it examined – and didn’t obtain required approvals or have sufficient documentation.

“The results are deeply alarming. The Inspector General’s audit is a necessary first step towards the transparency and accountability that is needed to ensure WESPAC is not wasting the taxpayers’ money it is entrusted with,” Chair Grijalva said. “As damning as this report is, it raises more questions about WESPAC than it answers. Their financial activities should continue to be examined.”

“The Western Pacific Council’s management of the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund Award has long been questionable, and this audit of the Fund paints an unflattering picture of WESPAC’s financial activities, to say the least,” said Rep. Huffman. “As Chair of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee, it is clear Congress must take action to improve oversight and management of WESPAC and ensure that government funds are being spent responsibly. On Tuesday, we are holding a hearing on my and Rep. Case’s bill, the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act, which takes steps to address these issues by adding transparency and reporting requirements for the Fund.”

“The Inspector General’s report underscores the need for substantial reforms in the way that WESPAC does business. Our federal dollars should be spent on the critical mission of sustaining and conserving vital marine ecosystems, not on controversial awards and questionable and unsupported spending at the behest of council staff with potential conflicts of interest,” said Rep. Case. “This report is just the beginning of our inquiry and response. We must act on the report’s findings to prevent any further waste and abuse of government funds by WESPAC and potentially other regional fishery councils operating under the same rules.”

“The Inspector General found $1.2 million in questionable expenditures by WESPAC and breaches of the rules on sole-source contracts and other financial controls. This all confirms the concerns that led Chair Grijalva, Representatives Huffman and Case, and me to request this in-depth audit of how WESPAC uses federal funds,” said Rep. Sablan. “I look forward to the decision of NOAA’s Grants Management Division on the appropriate next steps to recover any money that was improperly paid.”

The WPSFF administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act (MSA) and was intended to support conservation efforts in the U.S. Pacific territories and Hawai’i. Funds are provided by NOAA to WESPAC, which carries out contracts and subawards for projects. However, concerns raised from oversight of NOAA led to the audit request by Chair Grijalva, Rep. Huffman, Rep. Case and Rep. Sablan more than two years ago.

Read the release here

Huffman, Graves reestablish congressional marine sanctuary caucus

October 22, 2021 — In advance of next year’s golden anniversary for the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, two congressmen representing key fishery regions have joined forces to relaunch a bipartisan caucus to promote and continue protecting habitats crucial for coastal economies.

U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman (D-California) and Garret Graves (R-Louisiana) will serve as co-chairs for the reestablished caucus, which according to the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation was first formed 15 years ago. The foundation noted that 30 members have already signed up to join the group.

Read the full story at SeafoodSource

 

Amended IUU fishing bill approved by House committee would expand SIMP

October 18, 2021 — A U.S. congressional committee has passed an amended bill that seeks to prevent more seafood produced through illegal practices from entering the country – in part by expanding the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP).

The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, 13 October, voted to advance the Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor Prevention Act, legislation sponsored by U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman (D-California) and Garret Graves (R-Louisiana).

Read the full story at SeafoodSource

 

 

US Representative Jared Huffman defends AIS requirement in IUU bill that fishing industry finds redundant

September 30, 2021 — Nearly 130 members of the U.S. fishing industry signed a letter sent earlier this month to the top members of the U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee that oversees fishing policies, expressing concerns about a bill they said would create technological redundancies, add to their costs, and raise privacy concerns.

The industry members told U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman (D-California) and Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon), in the 14 September letter they oppose a proposed requirement in H.R. 3075, also known as the Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor Prevention Act, that would mandate automatic identification systems (AIS) be used to track fishing activities in both U.S. waters and the open seas.

Read the full story at SeafoodSource

 

REPS LIEU AND HUFFMAN ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF CALIFORNIA COASTAL CAUCUS

August 23, 2021 — The following was released by The Office of Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA):

Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced the launch of the Congressional California Coastal Caucus at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. The caucus will bring together members of the California House delegation to share and discuss federal policy to address matters of importance to the 840-mile California coast, including issues relating to the environment and economy. Congressman Lieu and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) will serve as co-chairs of the caucus. Additional members of the caucus include U.S. Representatives Eric Swalwell, Nanette Barragan, Alan Lowenthal, Jimmy Panetta, Jared Huffman, Mike Levin, Ro Khanna, Jackie Speier, Salud Carbajal, Barbara Lee, and Anna Eshoo.

Congressmembers Lieu and Huffman participated in a tour of The Marine Mammal Center, followed by a roundtable discussion moderated by Carol Costello with Dr. Jeff Boehm, Chief Executive Officer of The Marine Mammal Center, and Dr. Cara Field, Medical Director of The Marine Mammal Center, on the importance of the ocean in the fight against climate change.

“I am thrilled to announce the launch of the California Coastal Caucus, and grateful to The Marine Mammal Center for hosting us today to discuss the importance of our oceans and marine life,” said Co-Chair Rep. Lieu. “California is home to 840 miles of Pacific coastline and has the highest coastal population in the nation with over 26 million people living in coastal counties. The ocean is critically important to the people I represent in CA-33, as it provides work, food, and enjoyment to my constituents. Tragically, our oceans, marine life, beaches, and coastlines are in grave danger due to the existential threat of climate change. Now is the time for bold action. I’m pleased to join my co-chair, Representative Brownley, and Representative Huffman today to announce the formation of the California Coastal Caucus and look forward to working together to develop policies to effectively address a host of coastal issues and support our oceans.”

“As representative of Ventura County with its 42 miles of coastline, I am proud to join the California Coastal Caucus, which will focus legislative efforts on the myriad of challenges and issues facing coastal communities,” said Co-Chair Rep. Brownley. “From rising oceans, which threaten local community infrastructure, to ocean acidification and pollution, which threaten our local fisheries and tourism industries, Congress must tackle coastal policy head-on.  The Coastal Caucus will provide us an opportunity to work together – across the various committees that we each sit on – to advance policy that will protect our coastlines for future generations.”

“California’s scenic coastline is admired around the world, and I have the honor of representing – and working to protect – some of the most beautiful parts of it on the North Coast. Our state has long been a national leader in the ocean and environment space, and those lucky enough to represent coastal districts like mine have a responsibility to continue setting an example for the rest of the country,” said Rep. Huffman. “The California Coastal Caucus will be a platform for addressing coastal issues our state will face, many of which are driven by the climate crisis. The Caucus will provide a space where members, stakeholder groups, and constituents can discuss these issues, identify solutions, and determine a swift course of action. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Caucus on these pressing issues.”

“The Marine Mammal Center serves as the primary responder for 600 miles of the 840-mile California coastline, rescuing up to 1,800 marine mammals annually. As the caretakers of over two-thirds of the California coast, we intimately know the important role that our ocean has in the fight against climate change, which makes the California Coastal Caucus incredibly important,” said Dr. Jeff Boehm, CEO of The Marine Mammal Center. “The Center has been a strong advocate for the creation of the caucus. We appreciate Representatives Lieu, Brownley and Huffman as well as our entire Congressional delegation for focusing on such a crucial part of California’s ecology and economy – the California coastline.”

Read the full release here

US lawmakers want information on chemical toxic to salmon

August 20, 2021 — More than a dozen members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to the heads of NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife on Thursday, 19 August, asking them to investigate the effect a toxic chemical has on salmon species.

Led by U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman and Katie Porter, both Califiornia Democrats, a total of 14 lawmakers are seeking answers from NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad and FWS Principal Deputy Director Martha Williams about their agencies’ efforts to examine the deleterious effects of 6PPD-quinone on wild salmon mortality.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

CALIFORNIA: US Interior secretary touts Humboldt County offshore wind project

August 13, 2021 — Federal and state officials gathered at Woodley Island in Eureka on Tuesday to highlight Humboldt County’s promising future as a leader in offshore wind energy, a move that would bring thousands of jobs to the Humboldt Bay region.

Joined by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory and California Energy Commissioner Karen Douglas, North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman praised the Biden administration’s effort to pursue offshore wind energy in California.

“We’re getting it done here in California — that’s one of the most exciting things in the face of this daunting climate crisis,” Huffman said. “It is a big deal that today on Humboldt Bay we are being visited by the top environmental officials in the United States of America.”

Standing before Woodley Island’s iconic “Fisherman” statue after a tour of Humboldt Bay on the Madaket, Haaland said she was “thrilled to have the opportunity to see the excitement surrounding the future of this area.”

Read the full story at The Times-Standard

Huffman-sponsored bill seeks grant funding to restore kelp forests

August 10, 2021 — A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman to protect marine ecosystems in northern California recently got its first hearing in a subcommittee he chairs.

The California Democrat included H.R. 4458, the Keeping Ecosystems Living and Productive (KELP) Act, before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife during a 29 July hearing. The bill calls for creating a new grant program within NOAA to fund projects to restore kelp forests. It calls for USD 50 million (EUR 42.6 million) in funding annually from the 2022 fiscal year, which starts on 1 October, 2021, through fiscal year 2026.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

US anti-IUU bill would expand SIMP to cover all imported seafood

August 9, 2021 — A recent committee meeting started the discussions on a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California) to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and slave labor in the seafood supply chain.

The bill, H.R. 3075, was covered during a recent meeting of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee. It would enact the expansion of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) to cover all seafood and seafood products – the program, initiated in 2016, originally included tuna, king crab, blue crab, red snapper, Pacific and Atlantic cod, dolphinfish, grouper, sea cucumber, swordfish, and sharks in its coverage requirements, with shrimp added in 2019.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization: “Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act” Introduced

July 28, 2021 — Last Friday the long-awaited “Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act”, a reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), was introduced by Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Ed Case (D-HI). Huffman is chair of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee, within the House Natural Resources Committee.

This is the first time the MSA, the preeminent law on the management of the nations fisheries from 3- to 200-miles, has addressed climate change.

Read the full story at Seafood News