Contact: Gordon Helm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/4/97The National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking public comment on proposed changes to guidelines used by eight regional fishery management councils and the agency as they develop and revise fishery management plans, the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today. The changes were prompted by amendments made by Congress last fall to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act that added three national standards and provisions addressing overfishing and optimum yield.
"While the national standard guidelines themselves have no immediate effect on the management of marine fisheries, the final version will influence the councils and the agency in modifying and implementing management regimes that will have far-reaching effects on fish and fishermen," said Terry Garcia, acting assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere. "That's why it is so important that people comment now on the proposed guidelines, rather than waiting until plans and amendments based on the new guidelines are developed."
The Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 substantially amended the Magnuson-Stevens Act, requiring more conservative management of the nation's fisheries. While the Magnuson-Stevens Act has always required the prevention of overfishing, Congress has now defined the term, directed the agency to identify overfished stocks, and required the councils and the agency to take specific actions to end overfishing and to rebuild overfished stocks.
The fisheries service has published guidelines for the original seven national standards, but is now proposing extensive revisions to carry out the directives of the Sustainable Fisheries Act. The revised guidelines explain the three new standards, but the most substantial revisions are those dealing with preventing and ending overfishing, rebuilding overfished stocks, and setting optimum yields.
Once in place, the new guidelines will steer the councils and the agency in reviewing and modifying existing fishery management plans and in developing new ones, to ensure that they conform to the national standards
The public is invited to comment on these proposed guidelines. Written comments must be received by September 18, 1997, and should be sent to Dr. Gary C. Matlock, F/SF, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
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