The Rahall Bill

The Rahall Bill, HR 1431, “Fisheries Science & Management Enhancement Act of 2005” is the house version that amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservations and Management Act.  The bill is intended to improve fisheries management and incorporate the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.

            The Marine Fish Conservation Network has been working hard to encourage congressmen to come on as co-sponsors. 

The bill can be broken down into the following four recommendations:

1.              Strengthen the Use of Science in Fisheries Management.  This bill requires the councils to develop fishery management plans that conform to the recommendations of qualified scientific advisors.  It requires that the Best Available Science be used.  Unfortunately, the Best Available is oftentimes not very good.  The bill should insist that the scientists use all available data and use common sense when the data just does not make sense.  The precision of the data is at best suspect so many additional data points are needed.  This is addressed in the second recommendation.

2.                                   Cooperative Research, Data Collection and Gear Modification Program.  Fishermen have a wealth of knowledge based on direct experience.  The bill establishes a cooperative research program which would be funded with Saltonstall-Kennedy Act monies.  It also provides financial assistance to the states to improve recreational fishing data.

3.                                   Broaden the Representation on Fishery Management Councils and Reduce Conflict of Interest.  The bill requires that governors nominate a slate of candidates that includes at least two representatives of commercial fishing interest, recreational fishing interests, and representatives of the public to serve on the councils.  The representatives of the public must derive no income from commercial or recreational fishing.  The benefit of this addition is to give a broader perspective and would also loosen the grip of commercial fishermen on the councils. 

The bill also addresses conflict of interest by prohibiting council members from voting on a matter affecting a fishery in which they have a financial interest.

4.                                   Train New Council Members.  The bill requires that members of the councils be trained in fisheries science, basic ecology, social science and fishery economics, the requirements of the MSA, and other relevant statues and regulations. 

The Senate has just introduced their bill. Next month we will provide a rundown of the requirements of that bill. We will discuss the Rahall bill at the next JCAA monthly meeting.  There are many good things in the bill and there are others which may be of concern to some of you.  We will review the pros and cons of each item at the meeting and come up with a JCAA position that will be voted on by the clubs.  This and the Senate version of the bill are very important to the future of fisheries management.  We need to know how the clubs feel about this bill so we can work to get the best parts of the bill passed in congress.  This is the time to get involved.  Come to the next JCAA meeting on November 29^th.