Saving Seafood

Legislation seeks $500M to protect working waterfronts

March 8, 2025 — Lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation to safeguard and strengthen working waterfronts by creating a $500 million grant program and preservation loan fund over five years to provide funding options for coastal communities and establish a Working Waterfronts Task Force in the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act, introduced by Rep. Wittman, R-Va., and Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, aims to support coastal communities by ensuring access to working waterfronts for commercial fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries.

“Deteriorating waterfronts don’t just weaken our economy—they erode the heart of our communities, especially in Virginia’s First District,” Wittman said in a statement.

He continued, “Working waterfronts support businesses, provide access to water, drive economic vitality, and enhance our quality of life. Yet, rising pressure from population growth and development threatens to displace Virginia’s water-dependent industries and the families who have deep cultural and historical ties to these areas.”

Read the full article at The Center Square

Pingree, Wittman Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Preserve Working Waterfronts

December 7, 2023 — The following was released by the office of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree:

U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) today reintroduced the bipartisan Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act, legislation to preserve America’s working waterfronts by creating a grant program and preservation loan fund to provide funding options for waterfront preservation and improvement projects. The bill would also establish a Working Waterfronts Task Force at the Department of Commerce. These resources would support coastal communities grappling with the climate crisis and preserve the character of coastal communities by protecting jobs, commercial activities, and public access to America’s coast. The legislation passed the House in the 116th Congress.

“More than 30,000 Mainers rely on marine-related industries for their livelihoods. Yet out of 5,000 miles of coastline in Maine, just about 20 miles of working waterfronts remain. Working waterfronts are rapidly disappearing nationwide due to heavy development pressure. When fishermen must grapple with the loss of wharves, processing facilities, and other essential infrastructure in addition to navigating the challenge of climate change, it threatens the very survival of our coastal communities,” said Pingree. “Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have been proud to work across the aisle with my colleagues to create bipartisan solutions that can work for America’s coastal communities. My and Congressman Wittman’s bipartisan Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act will help reverse a worrying trend of shrinking waterfronts, while simultaneously protecting jobs and preserving the character of our coastal communities. Working waterfronts are an integral part of our coastal economies, communities, and traditions. We must do our part to ensure they survive into the future.”

“Deteriorating waterfronts don’t just hurt the American economy; they hurt the bedrock of our coastal communities, particularly in Virginia’s 1st District. These waterfronts support our local businesses, offer recreational access to water, and enhance the quality of life for so many people. Unfortunately, population growth and development threaten Virginia’s water-dependent industries and the families deeply rooted in our region’s cultural heritage,” said Wittman. “The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act is a vital safeguard, shielding coastal communities by bolstering the maritime industry, preserving jobs, and preserving our natural resources. I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Pingree on this critical piece of bipartisan legislation.”

Pingree and Wittman’s bill offers much needed support to states, Tribes, and municipalities seeking to preserve these invaluable spaces, while also making sure that they remain relevant for contemporary and future activities.

Read the full release at the office of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree

Sportfishing Industry Applauds Bill to Help Enhance Fish Habitat Conservation

August 10, 2018 — The recreational fishing industry today expressed its appreciation to Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) for introducing H.R. 6660, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act. This legislation will authorize a national program to conserve, restore and enhance fish habitat across the country for the benefit of recreational fishing.

“America’s 49 million recreational anglers and the 800,000 jobs supported by recreational fishing depend on healthy fisheries resources,” said Mike Leonard, Conservation director for the American Sportfishing Association. “The sportfishing industry is grateful to Rep. Wittman for his continued commitment to fisheries conservation by introducing the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act. This legislation will authorize and improve upon a successful partnership-based program that unites anglers, industry, state and federal agencies and other partners to help restore fish habitat in Virginia and throughout the nation.”

The foundation for the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act is the National Fish Habitat Partnership, a voluntary, non-regulatory and locally-driven program housed within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The National Fish Habitat Partnership program is currently comprised of 20 individual Fish Habitat Partnerships that focus on specific regions or habitat types. These partnerships include representatives of federal, state and local agencies, conservation and sportsmen’s organizations, private landowners and the business sector. To date, more than 600 successful conservation projects have been carried out through these partnerships, benefitting fish habitat and anglers throughout the country.

Read the full story at Sporting Classics Daily

How many fish are really in the ocean? Some congressmen think federal fisheries can do a better job of finding out

April 26, 2017 — Two years ago, fisheries authorities threw the brakes on catching cobia, a popular game fish and a favorite of recreational fishermen from Florida to Maryland.

Suddenly, anglers could catch fewer fish – and sometimes none at all.

But the reasons for the new rules, it turned out, were flawed.

Now some congressmen hope to enact a new law changing the way saltwater fish stocks are managed. With better use of data, they say, will come better decisions.

“It’s a fairly archaic system,” said Rob Wittman, R-Va., one of the bill’s sponsors. “And there’s a lot of consternation about the lack of good data being used to make decisions that affect watermen.”

Current law calls for rebuilding fish stocks and preventing overfishing. But of the 538 species managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is data for only 180. And the congressmen contend the information is either wrong or outdated.

NOAA does not comment on proposed legislation, according to John Ewald, the agency’s public affairs officer for fisheries.

He pointed to a National Academy of Sciences study that reported NOAA has made “impressive progress” in its data-collection efforts.

Read the full story at The Virginian-Pilot

Congressmen MacArthur, Smith, and LoBiondo Announce Major Victory for New Jersey Fishing Community

February 3, 2017 — Washington, D.C. — The following was released by the office of Representative Tom MacArthur:

Today, Congressmen Tom MacArthur (NJ-03), Chris Smith (NJ-04), and Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) announced a major victory for New Jersey’s fishing industry. After congressional opposition led by Congressman MacArthur, the Baltimore Aquarium has withdrawn their nomination for the Baltimore Canyon to be named a national marine sanctuary, a controversial designation which could have prohibited or restricted fishing access near South Jersey.

“This is a big win for our fishing industry and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to protect New Jersey’s fishermen,” said Congressman Tom MacArthur. “Too often, our commercial and recreational fishing industry has been stifled by too many regulations from nameless, faceless and unelected bureaucrats in Washington D.C. This will make sure that a burdensome designation won’t stand in the way of our fishermen’s success.”

“With our recreational and commercial fishing industry under constant attack from Washington bureaucrats, this is certainly welcome news for our region,” said Congressman LoBiondo. “I remain committed to fighting against such arbitrary restrictions on our fishermen and appreciate Congressman MacArthur’s leadership on this critical economic issue for South Jersey.”

“If implemented, a reduction of this magnitude will have harsh and immediate economic consequences for families and businesses along New Jersey’s 130 mile shoreline—many still struggling to fully recover from Superstorm Sandy. The impact will be felt not only in fisheries and fishing communities, but by the local businesses that rely upon the industry, the governments that depend on the revenue generated by these activities and other industries—such as tourism—that are a staple along the Jersey Shore,” said Rep. Chris Smith. “The Delegation is working on a full court press that we hope will delay, and ultimately severely alter, the implementation of this devastating decision.” 

In December, Congressman Tom MacArthur (NJ-03) along with Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-03), Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2), Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) sent a letter to the NOAA Administrator against the potential designations of Baltimore, Hudson, and Norfolk Canyons as Marine Sanctuaries.

The original letter can be viewed here

Mid-Atlantic Congressmen: No to Marine Sanctuaries in Baltimore, Hudson, and Norfolk Canyons

WASHINGTON — December 8, 2016 — In a recent letter to NOAA Administrator Kathryn D. Sullivan, Members of Congress representing five Mid-Atlantic states expressed trepidation regarding the potential designations of Baltimore, Hudson, and Norfolk Canyons as Marine Sanctuaries. Those signing the letter included Congressman Tom MacArthur (NJ-03), Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-03), Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2), Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01).

In their letter, the Members of Congress argued the Canyons are already protected by the groundbreaking Deep Sea Coral amendment passed in 2015 by the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

The Garden State Seafood Association (GSSA), which took a leading role in the amendment effort, opposes the new designations, noting they are unnecessarily burdensome and fail to incorporate the voices of all ocean stakeholders.

“The GSSA does not believe a sanctuary designation is necessary as the canyons are already sufficiently protected by the Deep Sea Coral amendment,” said GSSA Executive Director Greg DiDomenico. “Designation of these canyons as marine sanctuaries would unjustifiably and unnecessarily extend prohibited fishing areas for hundreds of miles. Most egregiously, the unilateral nature of a marine sanctuary designation runs counter to the cooperative and participatory nature under which the Deep Sea Coral amendment was developed.”

Read the full letter here