Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries
256 Figueroa Street #1, Monterey, CA 93940
www.alliancefisheries.com

           

only be NOAA-Fisheries through the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that has the authority to regulate federally managed fisheries.

 

Generally these regional partnerships seem to be too large and unwieldy with real questions as to their true representivness.  For example, can the Mayor of Seattle represent the concerns of Moss Landing, or vice versa?

 

It should also be recognized that the recently reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act contains new authorities to establish community based allocation programs.  It would seem that much of what is trying to be accomplished through HR21 might actually be accomplished by working through the Magnuson Act and/or refining that act.

 

Title V – OCEAN TRUST FUND
The Bill proposes a $1.3 billion trust fund; however, the revenue coming out of the sale of postage stamps in reality will probably be quite small.  The rest would have to come out of appropriations.  Considering that Congress has not been good about funding its existing fishery management agency to do needed science and other basic research work, why would be think that Congress will appropriate huge amounts of money for this new effort?  It would seem that educating Congress to appropriate the needed money so that fisheries can be managed in a science-based sustainable manner is the most direct and obvious course of action. 

 

 

We appreciate the ability to comment on HR21.  We can certainly see that its intent is to improve coordination in overall management of ocean ecosystems for their betterment.  However, we think HR21 needs significant more work and that it should be recognized that existing law, in particular the recently authorized Magnuson-Stevens Act, may be a more appropriate venue to accomplish healthy ecosystem goals.  In particular, we recommend that people knowledgeable in fishery management be consulted as this law is amended.

 

Please let myself or any other representatives of our organization know if we can provide any further information regarding our support of and/or concerns over the ideas contained within HR21.

 

Sincerely,

  

Kathy Fosmark
Co-Chair, ACSF

Supporting Associations & Organizations
            Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association
            Port San Luis Commercial Fishermen’s Association
            Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Association
            Monterey Commercial Fishermen’s Association
            Fishermen’s Association of Moss Landing
            Santa Cruz Commercial Fishermen’s Marketing Association
            Half Moon Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Association
            Fishermen’s Alliance
            Western Fishboat Owners Association
            Ventura County Commercial Fishermen’s Association
            Federation of Independent Seafood Harvesters
            Golden Gate Fishermen's Association
            Port San Luis Harbor District
            City of Morro Bay Harbor
            City of Monterey Harbor
            Moss Landing Harbor District
            Santa Cruz Port District
            Pillar Pt. Harbor, San Mateo County Harbor District