Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. Chairman, I want to start by saying that I want every father and son to be able to fish year-round in our Federal waters. Nine days is a problem--it absolutely is a problem--and I look forward to working with both the gentlemen from Florida and Georgia to ensure open access to our Federal waters.

I am also upset with NOAA and their continuously low stock assessment and flawed assessment methods.

My opposition to this amendment comes from the negative impacts that it will have on head boat captains in the EFP. This is a pilot program.

The Texas gulf coast, the area that I proudly represent, has a strong fishing heritage. Recreational and commercial fishing supports nearly 40,000 jobs in my State and generates $4.2 billion in sales.

I have talked to fishermen in my district, Mr. Chairman, and they are against this amendment. They don't believe that the bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., should be telling--I agree with the gentlelady from Maine--regional fishing councils and local fishermen how to manage their fishery.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is comprised of local fishermen and folks that have lived on the gulf their whole life. This council is developing and testing a very successful pilot program, where head boat captains have access to the water year-round--not just 9 days, year-round.

Under this program, they catch the same amount of fish but have the flexibility and freedom to go out when it is most convenient for their customers. I have heard from my constituents, and they want this program to grow, like the gentlelady said. This amendment would gut that pilot program and kick people out of the water.

Mr. Chairman, as a proud conservative, I believe that fishery management decisions should be made at the local level. Given the challenges our fishermen face, Congress should ensure local councils have all the tools in the fishery management toolbox available to them.

I will vote against this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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