Regarding the Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization

Floor Speech

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Capitol Hill Ocean Week to highlight the importance of oceans to our country and to my state of California.

Important industries in California rely on a healthy ocean ecosystem. In California alone, more than 145,000 jobs are supported by the commercial and recreational fishing industry, which generate more than $25 billion in sales annually.
Proper management is critical to ensuring the survival and success of these industries, and the Magnuson-Stevens Act plays an important role in conserving and managing our fishery resources.

Unfortunately, the current legislation to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act, H.R. 4742, rolls back key conservation provisions that have been working to increase fish populations and improve our coastal communities. Further, this bill does nothing to address the emerging challenges facing our fisheries.

I join my colleagues in urging the House to pursue a reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that is based on the best available science, builds on the progress that we have already made, and will preserve the health of our oceans and fisheries for years to come.

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