REP. NANCY MACE DEFENDS U.S. FISHERIES AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES FROM FOREIGN INTERFERENCE

(October 18th, 2024, Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) is introducing the bipartisan Protect American Fisheries Act of 2024, a crucial legislative step supported by over 20 fishery organizations across the country and eight other members of Congress who represent coastal communities.

The Protect American Fisheries Act amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, adding economic causes as allowable grounds for declaring a fishery resource disaster. This bill has been cosponsored by Representatives Troy Carter, Randy Weber, Jared Golden, Greg Murphy, Jerry Carl, Anthony D'Esposito, Clay Higgins, and Byron Donalds. Foreign interference in U.S. fishery markets, particularly through illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, subsidized foreign fleets, forced and child labor, and dumping of contaminated seafood products, is devastating domestic industries.

These predatory practices are driving down dock prices for American fishermen, threatening the livelihood of multi-generational fishing families and small businesses.

"Our domestic fisheries are under assault not only from illegal and subsidized foreign competition but also from bureaucratic red tape failing to protect American industries. The Protect American Fisheries Act takes a stand against these harmful practices and the inefficiencies in our system allowing them to persist. This legislation ensures we can cut through the red tape, defend the livelihoods of hardworking American fishermen, and strengthen our coastal economies by targeting illegal fishing, predatory pricing, and foreign market distortions," said Congresswoman Nancy Mace.

"I am proud to cosponsor this bill, which will strengthen protections for U.S. fisheries. By addressing market distortions, predatory pricing, and illegal fishing practices, this legislation helps safeguard the economic viability of our fishing communities. It will help ensure a sustainable future for Louisiana fisheries and preserve jobs in coastal economies," said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

"Generations of Mainers have set the gold standard for maintaining a sustainable fishery. They shouldn't foot the bill when the rest of the world doesn't play fairly," Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) said. "This common sense, bipartisan legislation will ensure American fishermen get the relief they need when the actions of foreign competitors harm our marine resources and the global seafood market."

"On behalf of the United States Shrimpers Coalition, representing shrimpers associations from Texas to North Carolina, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your unwavering support of the Protect American Fisheries Act of 2024. This critical legislation is vital to the sustainability and economic health of commercial fisheries across our nation," said Paige Morrison, President of the Georgia Commercial Fishermen's Association.

"We are so grateful to Congresswoman Mace for recognizing what NOAA apparently did not - that fishery disasters can be caused just as much by the economic impacts of cheap illegal imports and predatory pricing as by a hurricane or fish stock collapse. In either case, shrimpers can't go fishing - leaving their families and entire communities in a state of crisis. We really need this bill at this crucial time," said John Williams, Executive Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

"While this legislation offers temporary relief, it is essential that we continue to address the underlying trade issues that are harming our domestic shrimp industry. By providing economic support, the Protect American Fisheries Act can help prevent shrimpers from going out of business and losing part of our valuable coastal heritage," said Bryan Jones, Vice President of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association.

​​"Louisiana Shrimp Association is in support of your legislation, the Protect American Fisheries Act of 2024. We agree that the Magnuson-Stevens Act should be amended by adding immediate economic relief during fishery disasters," said Acy Cooper, President of Louisiana Shrimp Association.

"Our U.S. shrimping industry is on the verge of collapse for reasons not of our own making. The outside crushing pressure of foreign shrimp being dumped onto our market cannot be sustained for much longer. We must stop the onslaught of foreign shrimp dumping for our domestic shrimp industry to rebound," said Captain Kyle Kimball, President of the Port Arthur Area Shrimpers Association.

"The overwhelming volume of heavily subsidized farm-raised shrimp imports has driven the price of shrimp down so low that our domestic shrimp producers are finding it difficult to compete and make a profit. More than half of the shrimp fleet throughout Texas and the United States are unable to fish due to the low market price and high production costs. Vessel crews are unemployed, and their families are unable to make ends meet. We need the help of our government to support the domestic shrimp harvesting industry to survive and continue operations and production," said Chris Londrie, President of the Texas Shrimp Association.

"Disaster relief for watermen needs to be done in a timely manner. This relief comes at a time that watermen need it the most. If disaster hits, most watermen are hit pretty hard, and being self-employed they need immediate relief. Thanks to everyone involved in supporting this bill," said J.C. Hudgins, President of the Virginia Waterman's Association.

"One of the major issues in the Southeastern United States are fisheries disasters that can cause sudden and unexpected losses, leading to serious economic impact for fishermen and their communities. By permitting economic causes, such as market manipulation by foreign entities, as an allowable reason to declare a federal fishery resource disaster, it improves the fishery disaster determination process and makes it more inclusive. This improvement will help ensure the longevity of the seafood industry and the communities that it supports," said Dave Donaldson, Executive Director of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.

"The unfair trade practices allowing foreign shrimp to flood our markets at artificially low prices have made it increasingly difficult for our watermen to sustain their livelihoods. When chicken feet cost more than shrimp, it highlights the urgent need for action. The Protect American Fisheries Act addresses these issues by including economic disasters-such as shrimp dumping and the ongoing trade imbalances-as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This inclusion is a critical piece of the puzzle needed to keep our domestic commercial fishing industry functioning and sustainable," said H. Huger McClellan, President of the McClellanville Watermen's Association.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

###

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.