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New England Listening Session

September 28, 2020 1:00 PM

About The Event

New England Listening Session

Video of the Listening Session available here

PRESS COVERAGE

New Bedford Port Director Proposes Reforms to Magnuson-Stevens Act in Latest Congressional Listening Session

Accesswire

Bob Vanasse

This week, Ed Anthes-Washburn, Director of the Port of New Bedford, proposed improvements to the Magnuson-Stevens Act during the latest fisheries listening session conducted by Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife. As part of his testimony, Director Washburn called for changes to the term "overfishing"; more collaboration between fishermen, regulators and scientists; greater flexibility in rebuilding periods and catch limits; a legislative fix for the conflict between fisheries management and national monuments; and maintaining and enhancing funding for fisheries research.

Huffman hosts New England listening session to discuss federal fisheries policy

National Fisherman

Chris Chase

Representative Jared Huffman (D-California) held the latest in a series of listening sessions online on Sept. 28 in order to gauge stakeholder’s thoughts on fisheries management, particularly the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

The main focus of the session was the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which is facing an upcoming renewal in 2022. Huffman, and other congressional representatives present – including Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) – were looking for information from stakeholders on what the act has been doing well, and what needs to change.

Virtual ‘listening session’ with fishery stakeholders precedes bill reathorization

WABI TV

WABI News Desk

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and other members of Congress hosted a virtual listening session today with leaders from New England’s fisheries.

The event was a chance to assess the needs of individuals who have a stake in the management of federal ocean and fisheries resources. The main goal of the listening session was to help inform California Congressman Jared Huffman’s introduction of a reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

NEFMC’s increased monitoring consideration raises concerns among fishermen

Seafood Source

Chris Chase

The concern regarding the potential costs at-sea monitoring could place on fishermen was great enough that the subject came up in a listening session with U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-California) that was intended to get additional comments in preparation for the reauthorization of the Magnusson-Stevens Act.

MONTI: Listening tour on federal fisheries law comes to New England

The Sun Chronicle

Dave Monti

Congressman Huffman, who is chair of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee, will be joined by Representatives Seth Moulton (MA-06), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and additional members of Congress.

The panel of fisheries experts and stakeholders will hold a technical discussion of current and future challenges in federal fisheries management and explore potential solutions. The focus of my comments will be on the value of sustainable fisheries and importance of science-based management, the need to keep stock-rebuilding plans strong so New England species like cod and summer flounder (fluke) rebuild with firm allowable catch limits (ACLs) and rebuilding plans with science-based timelines, and enhancements to MSA to address climate change impacts on fish, fishermen, and fish managers.

FISHING REPORT: Wind farm studies yield food for thought

The Providence Journal

Dave Monti

The panel of fisheries experts and stakeholders will hold a technical discussion of current and future challenges in federal fisheries management and explore potential solutions. The focus of my comments will be on the value of sustainable fisheries and importance of science-based management, the need to keep stock rebuilding plans strong so New England species like cod and summer flounder (fluke) rebuild with firm allowable catch limits and rebuilding plans with science-based timelines, as well as enhancements to Magnuson-Stevens to address climate change impacts on fish, fishermen and fish managers.

Industry tackles the role of fish monitors

Wicked Local Cape Cod

Doreen Leggett

Congressman Jared Huffman, D-California, took his Magnuson-Stevens Act listening tour to New England – albeit virtually on account of the pandemic – Captain Eric Hesse was there. Hesse, representing the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, was appreciative of the chance to share thoughts.

This very issue was being debated by the New England Fishery Management Council, created by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, while the listening tour took place. Later that week, the fishery council voted to approve 100 percent monitoring.

OPINION/MY VIEW: Fishing laws need to keep rebuilding stocks, address climate change

Cape Cod Times

Eddie Doherty

Monday, Sept. 28, was a big day for the fishing community in New England. Congressman Jared Huffman, D-Calif., ran his ninth listening session on the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the federal fishing law of this nation. This session had New England fishery stakeholders on the panel including my friend Capt. Dave Monti. Congressman Huffman, who is chairman of the Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee, was joined by other members of congress including Congressman Seth Moulton from Massachusetts 6th Congressional District. The listening tour is a part of Congressman Huffman’s efforts to foster a more transparent, deliberative and science-based process for developing natural resources legislation. The input from this listening tour, and from other stakeholder outreach, will inform his introduction of a Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization bill in the future. Through this inclusive approach, Congressman Huffman hopes to restore the historically bipartisan character of marine fisheries policies including prior successful Magnuson-Stevens reauthorizations.

Opinion/Medeiros: Rethinking fish stocks, climate change and federal law

The Providence Journal

Stephen J. Medeiros

On Sept. 28, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., ran his ninth listening session, this one with New England panelists, on the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the federal fishing law of this nation. Congressman Huffman, who is chair of the Water, Oceans and Wildlife subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee, was joined by other members of Congress.

The listening tour is a part of Huffman’s efforts to foster a more transparent, deliberative and science-based process for developing natural resources legislation. The input from this listening tour, and from other stakeholders outreach, will inform his introduction of a Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization bill in the future. Through this inclusive approach, he hopes to restore the historically bipartisan character of marine fisheries policies, including prior successful Magnuson-Stevens reauthorizations.