WASHINGTON, D.C.– Meredith Moore, director of Ocean Conservancy’s Fish Conservation program issued the following statement in reaction to the introduction of H.R. 3697 today:

“The fourth time is not a charm. The ideas proposed in H.R. 3697 were bad when they were first introduced in 2013, and they’re still bad today.

“H.R. 3697 will hurt fish and fisheries. The measure weakens core conservation provisions in our federal fisheries law by removing science-based sustainable limits on catch from potentially hundreds of species and allowing fish stocks to stay at unhealthy levels instead of rebuilding them.

“Over the past three congresses, Congress has repeatedly rejected these ideas. They should reject this proposal again in the 116th Congress. Our fisheries are facing new challenges, like climate change, that underscore the importance of sustainable management. Now is the time to look forwards, not backwards.”

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Meredith Moore is available for media 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.