Chellie Pingree: “I want to oppose the amendment offered here tonight because I think we shouldn't be prohibiting any new catch share…”

“I want to oppose the amendment offered here tonight because I think we shouldn't be prohibiting any new catch share programs because it is such an important tool to manage our Nation's fisheries. This effectively supersedes the Regional Fisheries Management Council process that was already set up by Congress. We have a lot of families in Maine who have very deep ties to the ocean, generations of Mainers who have worked in the fishing industry, but fisheries are facing a crisis. Every year, our fishermen struggle to make a living on fewer fish and fewer trips going out fishing. The New England Fisheries Management Council is working very hard to develop solutions for these challenges by implementing catch share programs as an effective way to manage the fisheries. This results in success stories, many that we have seen in Maine. Take a look at Port Clyde, one of our largest inshore fisheries communities. The fishermen in this sector have developed a fishermen's cooperative, Port Clyde Fresh Catch, as a way to market their fish using environmentally conscious fishing methods. The result is sustainable fish, better quality fish, better prices for the fishermen. Membership in the sector has led to a profitable and sustainable on and offshore fishing industry. I just want to say that fishermen in New England are not being forced into enrolling in the catch share programs.…”