More broadly, this sequence of events starkly illustrates why we believe fishery management plans should be developed in-region through a transparent and robust review process rather than through an outside, centralized body.

But the big thing is, it doesn't do any good to get on the board or the council if they don't have the authority.

In conclusion, both bills...are well-intentioned.

The successful management framework created by the Magnuson Act is precisely why we have the confidence in investing hundreds of millions of dollars over the next several years into projects that modernize our aging infrastructure.

On the other hand, we will hear that Mr. Huffman's reauthorization bill goes in the opposite direction.

I fear that this will only make the world's fishery problems worse.

Actions are working--and need to support sustainable, healthy fisheries for all.

My legislation, H.R. 59, would make a number of improvements to the MSA in order to ensure a proper balance between the biological needs of fish stocks and the economic needs of fishermen and coastal communities.

Although I commend my colleague, Rep. Huffman, for understanding the crucial role MSA plays in the management of our nation's fisheries, I do have concerns with his bill.

The current MSA is not deserving of any changes as it was fine-tuned by time honored Statesmen such as Congressman Young, Senator Inouye, Senator Magnuson, and Senator Stevens.

I would like to say I wrote the bill with a lot of good staff help. Me and Gerry Studds, he was the Chairman, and we saw the problems we were faced with at that time of foreign fishing fleets invading our waters all the way up to 12 miles…

It was the 'Alaska model' that guided the reauthorization processes.

Forty-five years ago, Congressman Don Young teamed up with Congressman Gerry Studds to sketch out the framework for a new federal fisheries law.

I want to write it--whatever we do, we have to write it somehow that we get the job done for sustainable yield of the species for the benefit of the communities also along that line for the sustainable.

I want to acknowledge and express appreciation for the work of Congressman Young, who was not only instrumental in framing what I view as one of the most successful conservation statutes ever written, the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

I am appreciative of Rep. Huffman for including it in his bill and working with the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) to do so.

I believe the councils can actually manage the fish better than a centralized political figure.

Let's work a bill, like you say, bipartisanly and try to get to the situation where it needs improvement.