WASHINGTON- The following statement was issued by Meredith Moore, director of Ocean Conservancy’s Fish Conservation program, in reaction to the Senate version of the “Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017” released by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) today:

“The Senate version of the ‘Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017’ is a marked improvement over its House companion. This new bill removes many harmful provisions of the House bill that would undermine the core foundations of sustainable fisheries management. It instead looks to make more targeted changes that are less of a threat to the businesses and coastal communities that rely on our nation’s fisheries.

“This legislation rightly preserves science-based annual catch limits, which have proven successful at ending overfishing and managing fish populations at healthy levels.

“Although Ocean Conservancy is encouraged that the sponsors drafted this bill with an eye toward bipartisanship, we believe that there is still room for improvement. For example, we are concerned that this legislation could weaken rebuilding timelines and might open the door to untested alternative fishery management measures for recreational fisheries that are inconsistent with science-based conservation.

“This bill would also curb the development of innovative management techniques by creating overly burdensome requirements for performing scientific studies and testing new gear and management strategies.

“This bill does seek to tackle one of the most important issues facing fisheries today – improving the data we use to manage recreational fisheries. While we agree that state level data is an area that needs more support, we encourage Congress to look at ways to also improve national level data, and to enhance the Marine Recreational Information Program.

“Ocean Conservancy looks forward to working with both the House and Senate sponsors to develop solutions that improve the management of recreational fisheries while continuing the progress we’ve made toward ending overfishing and rebuilding fish stocks.”

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Meredith Moore is available for interviews upon request.

Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.