10.05.15

Ranking Member Grijalva Supports White House Marine Conservation Announcement, Urges Senate to Act on Stalled Pirate Fishing Bill

Washington, D.C. – Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement this morning on President Obama’s announcement of two new national marine sanctuaries – the first in 15 years – in Maryland and Lake Michigan.

“Our system of National Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments protects our natural and cultural heritage just as much as our National Parks, and I applaud President Obama’s establishment of two new Sanctuaries today. I also support his efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass H.R. 774 as quickly as possible to ensure that we do all we can to stop pirate fishing activities linked to organized crime, human trafficking, and degradation of ocean fisheries and ecosystems.”

H.R. 774 – the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015, sponsored by Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) – gives law enforcement new authorities to hold illegal fishing operations accountable. It also implements the Port State Measures Agreement, a treaty designed to prevent ships from offloading illegally caught fish. The legislation, which has 40 cosponsors split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, passed the House under suspension of the rules in July. Despite support from Congress, the fishing industry, and the conservation community, H.R. 774 has stalled in the Senate. 

Press Contact

Media Contact: Adam Sarvana

(202) 225-6065 or (202) 578-6626