08-06-2010, 11:10 AM
A bill sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson is drawing praise from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Chairman Rodney Barreto said the bill (S. 3594) would amend the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to keep federal fisheries on a steady path to rebuilding.
"All seven FWC commissioners sincerely appreciate Sen. Nelson's leadership and help in trying to modify provisions of the act that place inflexible standards and tight deadlines on our fishing industry and coastal communities," Barreto said.
He said the bill would enable managers to maintain a high conservation standard for fisheries while offering flexibility and time to rebuild without causing devastating economic harm.
"We are grateful for Sen. Nelson's support and tireless determination to fix provisions of the act that have caused sudden and unanticipated hardships for Florida's vital fishing economy," Barreto said. "The bill also includes provisions to improve data collection and stock assessments. This will help restore the fishing public's trust in the management process."
The bill is titled the Fishery Conservation Transition Act.
"All seven FWC commissioners sincerely appreciate Sen. Nelson's leadership and help in trying to modify provisions of the act that place inflexible standards and tight deadlines on our fishing industry and coastal communities," Barreto said.
He said the bill would enable managers to maintain a high conservation standard for fisheries while offering flexibility and time to rebuild without causing devastating economic harm.
"We are grateful for Sen. Nelson's support and tireless determination to fix provisions of the act that have caused sudden and unanticipated hardships for Florida's vital fishing economy," Barreto said. "The bill also includes provisions to improve data collection and stock assessments. This will help restore the fishing public's trust in the management process."
The bill is titled the Fishery Conservation Transition Act.