Ongoing MSA Reauthorization Activities

House of Representatives Activities – 115th Congress

On January 3, 2017, Representative Don Young (R-AK) introduced H.R. 200, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. The legislation is slightly changed from the bill of the same name that passed the House in the 114th Congress. Information on the bill, including the text, is available on Congress.gov.

• Introduced Bill: H.R. 200, January 3, 2017

House of Representatives Activities – 114th Congress

On June 1, 2015, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1335, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. The bill was introduced on March 3 by Representative Don Young (R-AK) and passed out of the House Committee on Natural Resources, with amendments, on April 30. Related information, including the text of the bill and floor proceedings, is available on Congress.gov, and more information on the amendments to the bill can be found on the Rules Committee Website.

• Introduced Bill: H.R. 1335, March 3, 2015

• Bill Report, May 15, 2015

• Statement of Administration Policy, May 19, 2015

• Latest information on H.R. 1335

Additional bills that may amend the MSA can be found at Congress.gov.

Senate Activities – 114th Congress

On May 20, 2015, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced S. 1403, the Florida Fisheries Improvement Act. Senator Rubio introduced similar legislation during the previous Congress, and it focuses primarily on fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. On June 25 the bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. For the latest information on S. 1403, visit Congress.gov.

• Introduced Bill: S. 1403, May 20, 2015

Senate Hearings

May 20, 2015 – Improvements and Innovation in Fisheries Research and Data Collection

• Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, testified at the hearing.

• Read Dr. Sullivan's testimony.

• Watch the archived hearing webcast and read related materials.

House of Representatives Activities – 113th Congress

On May 23, 2014, Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) introduced H.R. 4742, Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, which would reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The bill and related information, including a discussion draft released in December 2013, is available on the House Committee on Natural Resources’ web page.

• Discussion Draft, December 18, 2013

• Introduced Bill: H.R. 4742, May 23, 2014

• Full Committee Markup, May 29, 2014

Additional bills that may amend the MSA can be found at Congress.gov.

House Hearings

February 28, 2014 – Minority Legislative Hearing on H.R. ____ (Hastings of WA)

• The House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing to discuss H.R. ____, a bill to improve and strengthen many provisions of the current MSA (“Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act”). Dr. Sam Pooley, Director of the Pacific Island Science Center of NOAA Fisheries, testified at the hearing.

• Read Dr. Sam Pooley’s testimony.

February 4, 2014 – Legislative Hearing on H.R. ____ (Hastings of WA)

• The House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing to discuss H.R. ____, a bill to improve and strengthen many provisions of the current MSA (“Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act”). Sam Rauch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, testified at the hearing.

• Read Sam Rauch’s testimony.

September 11, 2013 – Reauthorization of the MSA

• Sam Rauch, Acting Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries, testified at the hearing.

• Read Sam Rauch’s testimony.

June 27, 2013 – Management of Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper under the MSA

• Eric Schwaab, NOAA Acting Assistant Secretary of Conservation and Management, testified at the hearing.

• Read Eric Schwaab’s testimony.

May 21, 2013 – Data Collection Issues in Relation to MSA Reauthorization

• Dr. Richard Merrick, Chief Science Advisor and Director of Scientific Programs for NOAA Fisheries, testified at the hearing.

• Read Dr. Richard Merrick’s testimony.

March 13, 2013 – Reauthorization of the MSA

• The House Committee on Natural Resources held its first hearing on reauthorizing the MSA. Sam Rauch, NOAA Fisheries Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, testified at the hearing.

• Read Sam Rauch’s testimony

Senate Activities – 113th Congress

In December 2014, Chairman Mark Begich (D-AK) introduced S. 2991 to amend the MSA. Two discussion drafts were previously circulated by Chairman Begich in April and July 2014.

• Discussion Draft, April 3, 2014 (PDF, 90 pages)

• Discussion Draft, July 18, 2014

• Introduced Bill, December 9, 2014

In September 2014, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the Florida Fisheries Improvement Act, which is focused on fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic but is also intended to outline Florida's priorities for reauthorization of the MSA.

• Florida Fisheries Improvement Act, September 16, 2014 (PDF, 26 pages)

Additional bills that may amend the MSA can be found on Congress.gov.

Senate Hearings – Regional Perspectives

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard held a series of four hearings to discuss Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization and regional fisheries management issues. These regional-specific hearings were held between July 2013 and February 2014. Below are details on the individual hearings.

February 27, 2014 – Hearing on North Pacific Perspectives on MSA Reauthorization

• Dr. Jim Balsiger, Alaska Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, testified at the hearing.

• Read Dr. Jim Balsinger’s testimony.

• Watch the archived hearing webcast and read related materials.

January 30, 2014 – Hearing on West Coast and Western Pacific Perspectives on MSA Reauthorization

• Will Stelle, West Coast Regional Administrator and Michael Tosatto, Pacific Islands Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, testified at the hearing.

• Read Will Stelle and Michael Tossato’s testimony.

• Watch the archived hearing webcast and read related materials.

November 14, 2013 – Hearing on Southeast Perspectives on MSA Reauthorization

• Dr. Roy Crabtree, Southeast Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, testified at the hearing.

• Read Dr. Roy Crabtree’s testimony.

• Watch the archived hearing webcast and read related materials.

July 23, 2013 – Hearing on New England and Mid-Atlantic Perspectives on MSA Reauthorization

• John Bullard, Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, testified at the hearing.

• Read John Bullard’s testimony.

• Watch the archived hearing webcast and read related materials.

Senate Hearings – Other Topics

September 24, 2013 – The Role of Certification in Rewarding Sustainable Fishing

• Sam Rauch, Acting Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries, testified at the hearing.

• Read Sam Rauch’s testimony.

• Watch the archived hearing webcast and read related materials.

March 19, 2013 – Developments and Opportunities in U.S. Fisheries Management: Interjurisdictional Fisheries Management

• Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries (performing the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary of Conservation and Management), testified at the hearing.

• Read Eric Schwaab’s testimony.

• Watch the archived hearing webcast and read related materials.

Regional Fishery Management Councils and MAFAC Perspectives

Other stakeholders, such as the regional fishery management councils and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC), have also provided input on MSA reauthorization. The councils are authorized by the MSA to have responsibility for the fisheries in their region that require conservation and management, and MAFAC advises the Secretary of Commerce on fisheries issues. As a result, these stakeholders have a unique perspective on reauthorization, and some of those perspectives are highlighted below. This information does not necessarily represent the views of NOAA Fisheries and is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all stakeholder perspectives.

General Comments/Perspectives

• Managing our Nation's Fisheries 3 – Conference Proceedings

• Council Coordination Committee – Comments on Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization (PDF, 5 pages)

• Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee – Recommendations on Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization (PDF, 15 pages)

Comments on March 2015 House Bill

• North Pacific Fishery Management Council (PDF, 5 pages)

Comments on April 2014 Senate Discussion Draft

• Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (PDF, 3 pages)

Comments on December 2013 House Discussion Draft

• Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (PDF, 5 pages)

• New England Fishery Management Council (PDF, 4 pages)

• North Pacific Fishery Management Council (PDF, 8 pages)

• Pacific Fishery Management Council (PDF, 5 pages)