Massachusetts Striped Bass Legislation Update
Our Massachusetts lobbyist, Henri Rauschenbach, has been working hard over this legislative session to build support for making striped bass a game fish in MA. We are working towards this goal not only by direct legislative attempts to end the commercial fishery in one fell swoop, but in the shorter run to achieve interim measures that will reduce the commercial fishing quota, educate consumers as to the levels of mercury and PCB contaminants that exist in these fish, and to eliminate recreational anglers who sell their catch from the commercial fishery. At the same time we are doing everything possible to educate legislators about the superior socio-economic value of the recreational striped bass fishery, and to make them aware of the need to conserve the large, breeding female bass.
Those of you who have tried to influence the political process know how difficult a path it can be, but we have made significant progress. Here is a report from Henri:
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We have been very busy at the State House and have been making progress in this legislative session with our allies in the Legislature assisting. We have 2 bills in play as we head towards the end of the Legislative Formal Sessions (JULY 31ST).
We were able to move a bill dealing with Food Labeling (SB1059) in fish for dangerous substances (mercury, PCB’s etc.) out of the Joint Committee on Public Health. This bill was filed by Senator Moore and co-sponsored by Rep. Kimberly Ferguson and has now gone to Senate Ways and Means. We are thankful to the two committee Chairs: Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez (D – Boston) and Senator John Keenan (D – Quincy) as well as to Senator Richard Moore (D – Uxbridge). The second bill (HB660) that we have successfully moved out of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture as a rewrite was our Act Relative to the Conservation of Striped Bass. While there is tremendous opposition to the bill in the Committee, the Senate Chairman, Senator Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton), pushed very hard to redraft our bill and create a Special Commission to focus on our issues. While this isn’t exactly what we wanted, it does show that we are growing in strength. Your efforts on behalf of the Striped Bass are starting to pay off. Of great assistance with this in Committee was Rep. Matt Beaton (R. Shrewsbury) who is carrying the bill out of Committee. We should also say a special thanks to our long time and consistent supporters: Senator James Timilty (D -Walpole), Rep. Tom Stanley (D – Waltham) and Rep. Kimberley Ferguson (R-Holden).
With four months left in the formal Legislative Session and with the Budget coming out in the House on April 9th to be debated at the end of April, we are preparing to offer the Rep. Beaton language on the Striped Bass Special Commission as an amendment to the budget. This is not easy to do and we will be asking you to support our cause at the appropriate time. Remember – it is an election year and legislators do respond to constituents.
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There will come a time later this spring when Henri will ask for our help in contacting legislators to ask for their support on these measures. That will be the time when every member will be needed. In the meantime, though, if you have a close relationship with a MA legislator and are willing to speak to them in advance on striped bass conservation, please send us an e-mail at stripers@stripersforever.org.
Also, this link will take you to a current article that shows how members of the American Sport fishing Association are working to make national legislators aware of the tremendous socio-economic impact of recreational fishing in America.
