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Longline Catcher Processor Subsector Single Fishery Cooperative Act

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 14, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Animals and Wildlife

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Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of S. 1609, the Longline Catcher Processor Subsector Single Fishery Cooperative Act. This bill, introduced by Senator Cantwell of Washington, is a Senate companion to H.R. 3910, legislation I introduced in the House, along with Representative DON YOUNG of Alaska. This is a bipartisan effort. It has the support of Representatives DOC HASTINGS, DAVE REICHERT and JAY INSLEE of Washington State as well.

This bill will further efforts by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to rationalize the Pacific cod fishery and end the ``race for fish'' in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This legislation represents an important step in achieving the goals of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by enabling safer, more environmentally sound fishing practices, while also providing much-needed economic stability.

The freezer longline sector of the Pacific cod industry currently operates as a derby-style fishery. Providing the opportunity for participants to transition from this style of fishing to a cooperative model is essential to meeting conservation goals and, most importantly, will significantly improve the safety of life at sea.

In addition, fishery cooperatives provide more economic stability and predictability. They help prevent the types of severe price swings that this fishery experienced last year when the price for Pacific cod was cut in half. This type of instability not only impacts the market and consumers, but threatens the ability for these mostly family-owned businesses to continue fishing. The economic stabilization of the fleet will also allow for new investments in both vessels and equipment and much-needed jobs for shipyards throughout the Puget Sound region.

S. 1609 has broad support within the freezer longline sector, the commercial fishing industry, the State of Alaska, the State of Washington, and the environmental community. So I urge the House to pass this bipartisan bill, S. 1609.

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