WHERE DOES THE FISHERY COUNCIL GET STARTED?

This question is asked in workshops, meetings, and out in the streets. Many people see the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) and ask us what it is or why it represents This is a very valid question, and one with a 47-year history behind it. Up ahead, we will present you just a bit of that history.

1976

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act was enacted by the US Congress.

This MSA’s objectives include:

Preventing overfishing

Rebuilding overfished stocks.

Increasing long-term economic and social benefits.

Ensuring a safe and sustainable supply of seafood.

Protecting habitat that fish need to spawn, breed, feed, and grow to maturity.

The MSA established 8 Regional Councils and extends United States jurisdiction up to 200 nautical miles off the coasts. Look at the map below to see how the US Caribbean (Puerto Rico and the USVI) are covered in this jurisdiction.

Each Council has representatives from coastal states and fishing constituents (for instance, commercial and recreational fisherfolk, charters, managers, fishery scientists, and others)

The councils are responsible for:

Develop and amend fishery management plans

Convene committees and advisory panels and conduct public meetings.

Develop research priorities in conjunction with a Scientific and Statistical Committee.

Select fishery management options.

Set annual catch limits based on best available science.

Develop and implement rebuilding plans.

The US Congress has made two major revisions to the Act. While in this newsletter we will only mention them, future newsletters will provide more in-depth information about these changes and additions to the Act:

The Sustainable Fisheries Act, 1996

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act, 2007

In addition, on December 31st, 2018, the Magnuson-Stevens Act was amended by the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act.