No, that was not a typing error–there is some good news from Washington.

The following is a Press Release from the office of Representative Jon Runyan of New Jersey:

August 04, 2011

Washington, D.C. – This week Representatives Jon Runyan (NJ-3), Walter Jones (NC-3), and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18) introduced the “Saving Fishing Jobs Act of 2011.”  This legislation seeks to hold the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) accountable for fisheries management programs called catch shares that have been detrimental to fishermen throughout the Eastern and Gulf Coasts.  The bill would require the Secretary of Commerce to terminate a catch share program if it reduces the total number of fishermen in the program by 15 percent or more.  It also would prevent the government from imposing new catch share programs on fishing communities that oppose them.  It would do so by requiring consideration of new programs to be initiated only via a petition signed by at least 50 percent of fishermen in the fishery, and by requiring a two-thirds vote of fishermen for approval of new programs.  Finally, the bill includes language to protect taxpayers from shouldering the extra costs associated with implementing and managing new catch share programs.  

The non-partisan consumer watchdog, Food & Water Watch has noted that if more catch share programs are implemented, “…many traditional fishermen will be forced out of work, economies of their communities will crumble, there will be increased risk of harm to our oceans, and consumers will probably end up with lower-quality seafood (http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/fish/fair-fish).”

Catch share programs have been controversial because many have resulted in the consolidation of fishing fleets, costing fishermen their jobs.  According to NOAA, one of the largest fisheries in the northeastern U.S. lost almost 20 percent of its boats in the first year (2009-2010) after a major catch shares program was implemented across the entire region. 

The Saving Fishing Jobs Act of 2011 is limited to the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico fishery management councils.  Below you can find quotes from Reps. Jon Runyan (NJ), Walter Jones (NC), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL), Wenonah Hauter of Food & Water Watch, and Greg DiDomenico of Garden State Seafood Association. 

Rep. Jon Runyan (NJ)

“NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco has a previously stated goal of seeing ‘a sizable fraction of the (fishing) fleet eliminated.  Catch share programs, her signature initiative, have done just that by forcing small fishermen out.  This bill will ensure that catch share programs are shut down if they are forcing people out of work.  This is a jobs bill and has the potential to save fishing jobs.”

Rep. Walter Jones (NC)

“Fishermen need a say in the programs that determine their economic futures.  If they really want a catch share program, this bill would give them the opportunity to make that choice rather than have it forced upon them as is currently the case.  Meanwhile, at a time when federal budgets are shrinking significantly, it is important that taxpayers not be forced to pick up the tab for the extra cost of administering new catch share programs.  This bill would provide that protection for taxpayers, which is essential.“

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL)

“I have met with many local fishermen from my Congressional District and they all complain about the adverse affects of these catch share programs. They are adamantly opposed to the privatization of one of our greatest natural resources which is a primary component of catch shares. I urge my colleagues to support this measure because during these tough economic times the federal government should be helping small fishermen, and not creating obstacles for them to make a decent living.“

Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch

“Fish are a public resource.  Unfortunately, private investment groups and even some public interest groups have openly compared access to fish to the stock market and are treating it like an investment that can be bought and sold for personal profit,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter.  “Congressman Runyan is concerned with the welfare of fishermen.  We commend him for pushing back against those that would destroy the fishing business by modeling it after big agribusiness on land, with giant commercial operations controlling the market.”

Greg DiDomenico, Executive Director, Garden State Seafood Association

“We thank Congressman Runyan for his efforts to protect the fishing industry and coastal communities.”

A friend of mine who is involved in restoring the rights of fishermen sent me the link to this article.  This is fantastic news for those men and women who make thier living in the fishing industry.  After I read the Press Release, I looked to see what I could learn about Representative Runyan.  I was impressed.  Representative Runyan was elected in 2010.  Before running for Congress, he was a professional football player.

Congressman Runyan’s website reports:

During his time in the NFL Jon was known for his strong work ethic and tenacity on the field, as well as his commitment to community service off the field. He was involved in numerous charities and established a sound reputation as one of the most well-known humanitarians in the Philadelphia-South Jersey area. He worked with the NJ Special Olympics, USO, Leukemia-Lymphoma Society, the American Red Cross, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and served as the Grand Marshall for the Armed Forces Freedom Ride. He also served on the Board of the Alzheimer’s Association of the Delaware Valley and hosted the “Score for the Cure” Golf Tournament benefiting prostate cancer research in New Jersey.

We definitely need more men like Jon Runyan in Congress.