This bill amends the Magnuson-Stevens Act to require specific representation among the five voting members appointed by the Secretary from the State’s appointees to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. It adds definitions for four groups: non-industrial commercial fishing interests, recreational fishing interests, rural subsistence user groups, and urban subsistence user groups. The bill requires that at least one of the five voting appointees represent each of those four groups. It also requires the Governor to indicate on each list of nominees whether a person represents one of those groups. The changes apply to appointments made one year after the bill becomes law.
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The bill’s findings say the North Pacific Council manages fisheries in several ocean areas and that current council composition can leave recreational, non-industrial commercial, and subsistence interests underrepresented. The bill says subsistence harvests are important to food and culture, that small owner-operated commercial fishing differs from industrial operations, and that recreational fishing supports tourism and livelihoods. Proponents argue that requiring minimum appointments for these groups will promote balanced management and align with the Magnuson-Stevens Act goals of conservation and stakeholder inclusion.
No publicly available information.