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Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 200, a bipartisan bill that includes the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act). This historic vote marks the first time the priorities of the recreational fishing sector were included in the reauthorization of our nation’s primary marine fisheries law – the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act – a top issue for the marine industry that NMMA and their coalition partners in the recreational fishing community have spearheaded.

NMMA’s President, Thom Dammrich, stated, “We applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for approving commonsense legislation modernizing the federal fisheries management system, which will provide America’s recreational anglers and boaters reasonable and responsible access to public marine resources. The bipartisan passage of the Modern Fish Act in the House is a reminder of the broad support that this legislation enjoys. After all, over 650,000 American jobs and 35,000 marine businesses are supported by the uniquely American-made recreational boating industry – effective federal fisheries management is vital to our manufacturers’ success.”

Dammrich continued, “The recreational boating industry calls on the U.S. Senate to pick up the baton, and immediately take up and pass S.1520, the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act). Millions of Americans are counting on it.”

“Marine recreational fishing is not a partisan issue, which was illustrated by the support H.R. 200 received from both parties today in the House,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “We owe great thanks to Chairman Rob Bishop, Congressmen Don Young, Garret Graves, Gene Green and Marc Veasey for working together to properly recognize recreational fishing within the Magnuson-Stevens Act. These bipartisan leaders have made the difference for anglers from coast to coast.”

The provisions of the Modern Fish Act (H.R. 2023) were included in H.R. 200 by the House Committee on Natural Resources on December 13, 2017. H.R. 200 was sponsored by Congressman Don Young (R-AK-At-large) and cosponsored by Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA-06); Brian Babin (R-TX-36); Clay Higgins (R-LA-03); Gene Green (D-TX-29); Robert Wittman (R-VA-01); Lee Zeldin (R-NY-01); Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06); Steve King (R-IA-04); Marc Veasey (D-TX-33); Jeff Duncan (R-SC-03); and Austin Scott (R-GA-08).

NMMA will remain engaged on the issue and provide updates as the Senate takes up their version of the Modern Fish Act. For more information, please contact NMMA Senior Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs, Nicole Vasilaros at [email protected] or NMMA Director of Political Engagement and Advocacy, Erica Crocker at 202-737-9776 or [email protected].