Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act on April 13, 2026, and recognizing its significant impact on the sustainable and profitable management of the Nation's fishery resources.
- Bill Number
- H.Con.Res. 85
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-16: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-21T04:16:48Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 85) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) on April 13, 2026. It recognizes the MSA's role in promoting sustainable, science-based management of U.S. marine fishery resources, supporting coastal economies, food security, recreation, and cultural traditions.
Key Provisions
- Background "Whereas" Clauses:
- Highlights the economic importance of fisheries: $319 billion in sales, 2.1 million jobs, 19.1 pounds per capita seafood consumption, 204 million recreational fishing trips, and support for Indigenous/Tribal practices.
- Notes pre-MSA issues like foreign overfishing threatening U.S. communities.
- Credits MSA (enacted 1976) for extending U.S. control to 200 nautical miles, establishing regional councils (with fishermen, states, processors, conservationists, scientists, Tribes), preventing overfishing, rebuilding 52 stocks, reducing overfishing to 4% of stocks by 2025, and minimizing bycatch.
- Praises bipartisan reauthorizations for adding annual catch limits, accountability measures, safety standards, market-based tools, science emphasis, and international anti-illegal fishing efforts.
- Resolved Clauses:
- Recognizes MSA's impact on economies and ecosystems.
- Celebrates fishermen providing seafood.
- Commends managers, fishermen, industry, Tribes, scientists, and experts for collaboration.
- Reaffirms commitment to science-based MSA to address overfishing, climate/ocean changes, fishery disasters, and foreign illegal fishing.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
None. This is a non-binding concurrent resolution with no legal force or amendments to the MSA or other laws.
Potential Impacts
- Minimal direct impacts: Symbolic gesture to honor MSA; does not allocate funds, mandate actions, or alter regulations.
- Indirect effects: Boosts visibility for fisheries management, encourages ongoing collaboration among stakeholders, and signals congressional support for future MSA updates amid challenges like climate change and illegal foreign fishing.
- No notable effects on international relations beyond reaffirming U.S. commitment to sustainable practices.
Main Stakeholders
- Fishermen and fishing communities: Prioritized access and livelihoods.
- Indigenous and Tribal groups: Stewardship and food security recognized.
- Regional fishery management councils: Composed of experts, fishermen, states, processors, conservationists, and scientists.
- Federal/State agencies (e.g., NOAA): Managers upholding MSA.
- Coastal economies and recreational anglers: Beneficiaries of sustainable stocks.
- Seafood industry: Supported through profitability and supply stability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Purely expressive; concurrent resolutions express congressional sentiment but do not become law without presidential signature or joint action.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority over fisheries; no challenges anticipated.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by Reps. Huffman, Hoyle, Keating); reinforces MSA as a successful model, potentially influencing future reauthorizations or funding debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-16: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-04-16: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act on April 13, 2026, and recognizing its significant impact on the sustainable and profitable management of the Nation’s fishery resources. — issued 2026-04-16 — PDF (5 pages)