Cassidy, Rubio Introduce Legislation to Protect State Management of Waters
Press Release
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio introduced the Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act (S.2807) to ensure that federal and state agencies are equal partners in the development of any new fishing access restrictions in areas where state marine waters and national park waters overlap. The legislation protects and maintains existing environmental protections and makes certain that states have a say in the fishery management decisions in their own waters. The bill does not apply to fishery management decisions in federal waters.
"It's crazy that state and federal agencies don't already work together when making decisions that affect our waters," said Sen. Cassidy. "Louisianans know our waters better than the federal government does--our knowledge is an asset in making decisions that impact our fishermen, our boaters, our tourism industry and our economy."
"Florida's waters play a key role in the state's economy. From tourism to commercial fishing to recreational interests, these industries sustain our communities and should be managed by those who know them best. State agencies have specialized knowledge of these waters and should have a seat at the table when major management plans or closures are considered," said Sen. Rubio. "We need this legislation in order to ensure that access to Biscayne National Park is not decided solely by Washington, but instead by both federal and state agencies that are able to carefully consider all invested interests and parties."
The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Information (GULFINO) reports that in 2012 (the last year for which numbers are available):
Louisiana commercial fisheries landings has a dockside value of approximately $328 million
The Louisiana seafood industry generated approximately $1.48 billion in economic contributions and supported 30,493 jobs
Expenditures related to commercial fisheries totaled $1.79 billion
Expenditures generated approximately $1.96 billion in economic contributions and supported 16,972 jobs.
The Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act (H.R. 3310) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and passed the House with bipartisan support.
Source