113th Congress Hearing Archives

Full Committee Oversight Hearing on “The Management of Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act”

Thursday, June 27, 2013 | 10:00 AM 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515

Tags: Federal Lands , Oversight , Fisheries , Oceans

Full Committee

Oversight Hearing on:

“The Management of Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act”

Archived Video Webcast:

Member Statements:

The Honorable Doc Hastings
Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Eric Schwaab
Assistant Administrator
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Kevin Anson
Vice Chairman
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Chris Blankenship
Director
Marine Resources Division
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Jessica McCawley
Director
Division of Marine Fisheries Management
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Randy Pausina
Assistant Secretary
Office of Fisheries
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Dale Diaz
Director
Office of Marine Fisheries
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

Robin Riechers
Director
Coastal Fisheries Division
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
(Truth in Testimony Form)

PANEL II

Herbert Malone, Jr.
President/CEO
Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Harlon Pearce
Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Pamela Anderson
Operations Manager
Capt. Anderson’s Marina
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Wayne Werner
Co-Founder
Gulf Coast Professional Fishermen
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Susan Boggs
Co-Owner
Reel Surprise Charter Fishing
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Background:

Federal management of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico has been contentious and recent actions by states and the courts have created uncertainty for fishermen. This continued uncertainty has serious consequences for the economic well-being of many coastal communities. The Committee is currently examining issues for the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Act) and this hearing will allow the Committee to hear testimony on the potential development of a regional management plan for the recreational sector to allow for more flexibility in the existing management structure. The Committee will also hear testimony on how the Act could be modified to create better management of the red snapper fishery resource in the Gulf of Mexico.