WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, yesterday was recognized by several fishing and oceans advocacy associations for his work to promote and enhance sport fishing and healthy fisheries through the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006 (HR 5946). The Magnuson-Stevens Act was approved by Congress in late 2006 and signed into law by President George W. Bush shortly thereafter. 

 

The award recognized Senator Stevens “For [his] lifelong dedication to protecting our nation’s fisheries resources and boating opportunities,” on behalf of the American Sportfishing Association, the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, the International Game Fish Association, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

 

Passage of the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act ensures the sustainability of America’s fish stocks by requiring an end to overfishing.  This measure will allow generations of recreational fishermen to enjoy America’s many fishing resources.  It also provides a mechanism for improving the reporting of recreational fishing so that managers have a better understanding of what is being caught to ensure the sustainability of the resource.  The Magnuson-Stevens Act was designed to provide a balance between both recreational and commercial fishermen. 

 

In addition to the Magnuson-Stevens Act of 2006, Senator Stevens sponsored the Marine Debris Research and Reduction Act of 2006 (S. 362), which establishes a Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and enhances the U.S. Coast Guard’s enforcement of laws designed to prevent ship-based pollution. This law also urges relevant federal agencies to collaborate with foreign governments to reduce marine debris. Both measures passed Congress and were signed into law.

 

In the 110^th Congress, Senator Stevens has introduced S. 39, the Ocean and Coastal Exploration and NOAA Act, which would establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within NOAA. This measure would also require NOAA to convene an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to study immediate threats to the oceans and coastal communities.

 

The Senate last month passed a resolution (S. Res. 208) introduced by Senator Stevens and cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 13 Senators, that condemned the harmful subsidies many foreign governments provide their fishing industries. Stevens noted that the problems caused by these subsidies affect not only global fisheries resources, but also the coastal communities which depend on them.