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Jones supports fishing provisions in Coast Guard bill
Story Date: 11/21/2011
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 11/18/11
Today Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) highlighted his support for fishing-related provisions included in H.R. 2838 – the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act – a bill the House passed earlier this week. One provision reduces the frequency of dockside examinations for U.S. commercial fishing vessels from every two years to every five years. It also pushes back the date that the requirement for such dockside examinations enters into force from October 15, 2012, to October 15, 2015. The Coast Guard has testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that it does not have the resources to conduct examinations on all 35,000 U.S. commercial fishing vessels prior to October 15, 2012. The Coast Guard has also testified that without an examination, these vessels would not be permitted to leave the dock. Another provision in H.R. 2838 repeals a section of existing law which would require a publicly accessible database listing the names of U.S. commercial fishermen. H.R. 2838 now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
“The red tape stifling America’s fishermen is unacceptable,” said Congressman Jones. “The last thing fishermen need during these difficult economic times is even more unnecessary bureaucracy. I am pleased that the House has taken this important, common sense step to help America’s fishermen, and I urge the Senate to quickly follow suit.”
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