Frank Pallone in 2013 N.J. Special Senate Election Debates

On Environment: Relax restrictions on over-fishing to help fishermen

The bill would poke holes in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the basic law governing fishing in federal waters. The act imposes ambitious timetables for rebuilding fish stocks and gives scientists a say in setting limits.

The bill would allow the government to consider the economic consequences of fishing restrictions, and prolong the deadlines for rebuilding fish stocks. But the fluke fishery--to name one of many--has not yet been rebuilt. The point of Magnuson-Stevens was to give impartial scientists, not self-interested fishermen, a greater say in deciding how many fish to take from the sea. The health of the oceans has never benefited from putting