On the recordSeptember 6, 2017
This is not an appropriate amendment for inclusion in an annual spending bill. The Coast Guard opposes the amendment because their mission to protect natural resources is not specific to individual regulations. Enforcement limitations on specific regulations would place a significant burden on the Coast Guard. In addition, Congress should not be in the business of micromanaging fish conservation. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is an interstate commission which allows Atlantic Coast States to collectively manage the conservation of their shared coastal fishery resources. We should allow the Commission to do its job in managing fish stocks. Congress shouldn't second-guess them and micromanage fish regulations in particular locations. There is a process in place for addressing these issues at the regional level, and we should allow that process to work. Currently, the consensus position of the Commission is that the fishing restrictions should remain in place and the stock assessment for striped bass is planned for next year. This ban was put in place after going through the Federal rulemaking process. If a change is needed, it should follow the same process. I believe this amendment places an undue burden on the Coast Guard, and it is bad precedent for Congress to interfere with a State-driven process. For these reasons, I oppose the amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
