Chefs, Sustainable Fish Advocates Want Congress to Leave Fisheries Act Alone

The Magnuson-Stevens Act is credited with bringing back fish populations on the verge of collapse in the 1980s and protecting marine life since. Now congressional Republicans are looking to revise the act. In July, a bill extending but weakening Magnuson-Stevens passed in the House and will soon be up for consideration in the Senate. The revision aims to grant local fisheries more autonomy and eliminate time frames for rebuilding fish stocks, which is currently 10 years. Kerry Heffernan is the chef at the Grand Banks, whose menu is built around local and sustainable fish. He said sustainability is vital to the economy and the environment.

“It’s important to the next generation we want to be able to support strong domestic fisheries and not have to rely on imported fish which have any number of issues whether they be contamination of fish farming or trade” Heffernan said.

Advocates say the East Coast fisheries support 40,000 jobs in the fishing industry, and 800,000 jobs in the restaurant industry. Heffernan’s restaurant hosted Senator Chuck Schumer, members of the local fishing community, and chefs in support of sustainable fishing and seafood.

Charlie Witek, an independent recreational fishing advocate, said keeping the Magnuson-Stevens Act in its present form is the better alternative for everyone concerned.

“The law [Magnuson-Stevens] needs to be kept strong for the good of our fish, and our fishermen too,” he said.