WASHINGTON, DC Recreational anglers scored a big victory in Congress today as the Billfish Conservation Act advanced in the House of Representatives when it was unanimously approved by the Natural Resources Committee for future floor consideration. With only minor modifications, H.R. 2706, which was introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), received overwhelming bi-partisan support in the Committee.
“Congressman Miller has been a huge champion for recreational anglers in Florida and across the country, said International Game Fish Association President Rob Kramer. He is making things happen, finding a way to get the Billfish Conservation Act through Congress. Next up we need a floor vote in the House of Representatives and action in the Senate Commerce Committee.”
By eliminating a sizeable component of the international billfish market, this legislation will boost the billfish recovery efforts underway in the U.S. and abroad. Billfish are harvested by other nations and sold to the U.S. even though the U.S. has strong conservation measures in place for its waters; this has caused a serious decline in populations, Kramer said. We applaud Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) as well as Fisheries Subcommittee Chairman John Fleming (R-La.) for making this important legislation a priority. This bill is a perfect example of how conservation legislation can result in enormous benefits to the economy while sustaining imperiled species at no cost to American taxpayers. This important step is great news for recreational anglers and for people working in tourism, sportfishing and marine businesses.
According to Ken Hinman, President of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation, It is great to see momentum for the Billfish Conservation Act of 2011. Now is the time to make it clear that the future of billfish is not for sale.
Hunter S. Thompson