Bill Keating: “I am prepared to offer and withdraw my amendment. I rise for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with the chairman and…”

“I am prepared to offer and withdraw my amendment. I rise for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with the chairman and the gentlewoman from Maine. Since 1972, the National Marine Fisheries Service has utilized trained fishery observers to monitor and assess the health of fish populations along the coast of the United States, providing critical data gathered from commercial vessels that is then used to guide NOAA in determining best practices for conservation and sustainable management. The fishing industry is a willing and engaged partner in supporting the use of on-vessel observers. However, following a legal challenge, this August, NOAA will run out of funding to continue paying for this mandated program. I have heard from fishermen from the south coast of Massachusetts, to Cape Cod and the islands, to the south shore who are still struggling from the impacts of diminishing groundfish stocks and worry they will be unable to cover the burden of this cost. Our region is still reeling from the collapse of the groundfish industry that prompted Federal disaster relief. This is particularly true for some small fishing businesses, where this added burden can be the difference between success and failure as a business. I am working with my New England and Massachusetts colleagues and NOAA to find an interim solution.…”