Pallone Stops Recreational Fishing Fees

Washington, D.C. --- The House Resources Committee today approved an amendment offered by U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) to the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that prevents the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) from imposing new fees on recreational fishermen.

"We know from what the Director of NMFS has said that if we didn't stop them, they would go ahead and impose a fee on anglers," Pallone said. "It's critical that we put into law this provision saying they can put no new fees on recreational fishermen."

During a committee hearing earlier this month, Pallone, a senior member of the House Resources Committee, questioned NMFS Director William Hogarth about mandatory license fees. Hogarth admitted to Pallone that the Bush administration planned to implement a mandatory charge on anglers of $20 to $25 annually for the right to fish. Pallone's amendment, which was passed unanimously by a voice vote today, prevents NMFS from moving forward with this proposal.

The New Jersey congressman also separately secured a commitment from U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), Chairman of the House Resources Committee, to hold a hearing and work on language concerning the current moratorium on striped bass fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). NMFS is currently considering whether or not to reopen the EEZ to fishing and harvesting, which could have a serious negative impact on recreational fishermen along the East Coast.

"We need to highlight for other members of Congress what the impacts on anglers and the recreational industry would be if we opened the EEZ to striped bass fishing," Pallone said. "This hearing, which should happen before August, would be the perfect way to highlight these impacts."

Pallone also worked with U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ) to pass an amendment expanding the current definition of "fishing community" to include bait and tackle shops, marina owners and operators, charter boats, and other elements of the economy dependent on recreational fishing. This amendment will help ensure that fisheries managers must more closely consider the economic impacts of their decisions on the entire recreational fishing community.

Today's actions came as the House Resources Committee considered H.R. 5018, a bill to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which governs fisheries management in waters from three to 200 miles offshore. The committee is expected to approve the legislation later today, and then it must be considered by the full House.