House Passes Bill that Guts Critical Fisheries Law and Threatens to Reverse Years of Progress

WASHINGTON (June 2, 2015) – The House passed a measure late Monday that would gut the landmark Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which is bringing back U.S. fisheries from collapse. The legislation weakens key fishery conservation protections, such as annual catch limits and successful timelines for rebuilding depleted stocks. In addition, it bypasses or weakens enforcement of fundamental environmental protection laws—including the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Antiquities Act, and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.

The following is a statement by Alexandra Adams, oceans advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“The Magnuson-Stevens Act has a proven track record of successfully rebuilding our nation’s fisheries. This House vote will reverse that success by rolling back vital conservation protections, attacking bedrock environmental laws and risking a return to the boom-and-bust fishery practices that led to the collapse of critical fish stocks and damaged the livelihood of many coastal communities. It’s little wonder that the White House has threatened to veto this legislation.’’