Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization and Amendments
Congress periodically reviews the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and considers whether changes are warranted. Below are a number of documents and resources related to MSA reauthorization discussions and other legislative activities.
MSA Activities of the 118th Congress (January 2023-Present)
For information about legislation and hearings prior to the 118th Congress, please scroll down to the "Archive" section.
Introduced Legislation
Bills will be linked here as they are introduced
Congressional Hearings
Hearings will be posted here as they are announced
Council Coordination Committee Working Paper on MSA Reauthorization Issues
The Council Coordination Committee (CCC) maintains a working paper to describe consensus positions and the range of Regional Fishery Management Council perspectives on key issues being considered as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) reauthorization process. This paper may be periodically updated as new legislation is introduced.
Current Version:
Previous Versions: November 11, 2021 | May 11, 2021 | April 30, 2020 | April 15, 2019 | November 14, 2017 | January 5, 2015
CCC Comment Letters on MSA Reauthorization Issues
Individual Council Comments on MSA Reauthorization Issues
Council Comments on H.R. 4690: Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act of 2021
Request for Feedback from RFMCS on H.R. 4690 (8/25/21)
North Pacific Council Letter to Representatives Huffman and Case (9/30/21)
Pacific Council Letter to Representatives Huffman and Case (9/30/21)
Mid-Atlantic Council Letter to Representatives Huffman and Case (9/30/21)
New England Council Letter to Representatives Huffman and Case (10/1/21)
South Atlantic Council Letter to Representatives Huffman and Case (10/1/21)
Gulf Council Letter to Representatives Huffman and Case (10/1/21)
Western Pacific Council Letter to Representatives Huffman and Case (10/5/21)
Council Comments on HR 2236 “Forage Fish Conservation Act”
MAFMC Letter to Representative Bishop, December 2019
NPFMC Letter to Representative Rob Bishop, October 2019
NPFMC Letter to Senator Cantwell, July 2019
PFMC Letter to Senator Cantwell, July 2019
General Council Comments (not associated with specific legislation)
SAFMC letter to Chris Oliver, January 2018
Council Comments on S. ___ Staff working draft “To improve the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and for other purposes.” November 2018
South Atlantic Council Comments to Senator Dan Sullivan, October 2019
North Pacific Council Comments to Senator Dan Sullivan, February 25, 2019
North Pacific Council Comments to Senator Dan Sullivan, December 28, 2018
Council Comments on S. 1520, Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (July 2017)
SAFMC Letter to Senator Tim Scott on S. 1520, April 2018
SAFMC Letter to Senator Graham, January 2017 (Attachment 1 I Attachment 2 I Attachment 3 I Attachment 4)
North Pacific Council Comments on S. 1520, S. 1322, S. 1323 H.R. 200, October 2017
Council Comments on H.R. 200, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act (January 2017)
North Pacific Council Comments to Rep. Don Young on H.R. 200 and H.R. 2079, April 2, 2018
Pacific Council Letter to Rep. Kurt Schrader, February 2, 2018
Pacific Council Letter to Senator Maria Cantwell, February 2, 2018
Pacific Council Letter to Rep. Jaime Herrera-Beutler on HR 200, April 18, 2017
North Pacific Council Comments on H.R. 200, S. 1322, S. 1323, and S. 1520, October 2017
Pacific Council Comments on H.R. 200, April 2017
New England Council Comments on H.R. 200, September 2017
Seth Moulton request for comments from New England Council, September 2017
Council Comments on H.R. 1335: "Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act (March 2015)"
North Pacific Council Comments on H.R. 1335, April 2015
Pacific Council Comments on H.R. 1335, March 2015
Council Comments on Senate Staff Discussion Draft: "Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2014" (April 2014)
Council Comments on House Discussion Draft: “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act" (December 2013)
Mid-Atlantic Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, May 2014
North Pacific Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, April 2014
Pacific Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, March 2014
New England Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, February 2014
Western Pacific Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, January 2014
Archive
117th Congress
Introduced Legislation
H.R. 4690: Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act of 2021, introduced July 26, 2021 by Congressman Jared Huffman (D-California)
H.R. 59: Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, introduced January 4, 2021 by Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska)
Congressional Hearings
November 16, 2021: Hybrid WOW Legislative Hearing, U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans
Testimony of Mr. Mark Gorelnik, Chair of Council Coordination Committee and Chair of Pacific Fishery Management Council
116th Congress
Introduced Legislation
H.R. 2236, “Forage Fish Conservation Act”
H.R. 2236 - Original Bill, Introduced April 10, 2019 by Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
Huffman/Case MSA Reauthorization Discussion Draft
Discussion Draft Full Text, introduced 12/18/20 by Representative Jared Huffman and Representative Ed Case
Congressional Hearings and Related Events
January 14, 2020: Legislative Hearing on Six Bills (including H.R. 2236: Forage Fish Conservation Act), U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Huffman Fisheries Listening Tour: In 2019, Representative Jared Huffman initiated a nationwide listening tour on fisheries management issues. A list of listening sessions is available here (video recordings are available by clicking on the individual listening session locations). Written testimonies from regional fishery management council members are linked below. Please note that panelists participated as individuals and did not represent official council positions.
Testimony of Mr. Bob Dooley, Pacific Fishery Management Council Member
Testimony of Mr. Louie Zimm, Pacific Fishery Management Council Member
Testimony of Mr. Bill Tweit, Vice-Chairman, North Pacific Fishery Management Council
Testimony of Mr. Anthony Benavente, Western Pacific Fishery Management Council member and Secretary of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Testimony of Mr. Taotasi Archie Soliai, Chairman, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, Presented by Edwin Watamura, Vice Chair (Hawai‘i)
Testimony of Mr. Michael K. Goto, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Member
Testimony of Ms. Suzanne Case, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Member
Testimony of Mr. Michael Tosatto, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Member
Testimony of Mr. Spud Woordward, South Atlantic Regional Fishery Management Council Member
115th Congress
January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2019
Introduced Legislation
H.R. 200, "Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act"
H.R. 200 - Original Bill, introduced January 3, 2017 by Representative Don Young (R-Alaska)
H.R. 200 - Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS), marked and reported by the House Natural Resources Committee on December 13, 2017
Section-by-Section Summary of H.R. 200 as introduced on January 3, 2017
Section-by-Section Summary of H.R. 200 as amended and reported on December 13, 2017
H.R. 2023, ‘‘Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017"
H.R. 2023, introduced April 6, 2017 by Representative Garret Graves (R-Louisiana)
Huffman Discussion Draft: "Strengthening Fishing Communities through Improving Science, Increasing Flexibility and Modernizing Fisheries Management Act"
Huffman Discussion Draft, introduced September 18, 2017 by Congressman Jared Huffman (D-California)
S. ___ Staff working draft “To improve the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and for other purposes.” November 2018
S. 1520, "Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017
S. 1520 - Original Bill, introduced July 10, 2017 by Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi)
S. 1520 Modified Substitute Amendment - Advanced to the Senate floor by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on February 28, 2018
S. 1748, "Florida Fisheries Improvement Act"
S. 1748 - Original Bill, introduced August 3, 2017 by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida)
Congressional Hearings
February 28, 2018: Executive Session on S. 1520, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
December 12, 2017: Full Committee Markup on 15 Bills (including H.R. 200), U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee
October 24, 2017: Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act: Fisheries Science, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
September 26, 2017: Legislative Hearing on 4 Fishery Bills, U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans
September 12, 2017: Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act: Oversight of Fisheries Management Successes and Challenges, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
August 23, 2017: Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act: Oversight of Fisheries Management Successes and Challenges, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Testimony of Mr. Dan Hull, Chairman of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Field Hearing Summary
August 1, 2017: Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act: NOAA and Council Perspectives, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Testimony of Dr. John Quinn, Chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council
July 19, 2017: Oversight Hearing "Exploring the Successes and Challenges of the Magnuson-Stevens Act,” U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans
March 15, 2017: Oversight Hearing on Examining the Creation and Management of Marine Monuments and Sanctuaries, U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans
114th Congress
January 3, 2015 - January 3, 2017
Introduced Legislation
H.R. 1335, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, March 2015
S. 1403, the Florida Fisheries Improvement Act, May 20, 2015
Council Comments
North Pacific Council Comments on H.R. 1335, April 2015
Pacific Council Comments on H.R. 1335, March 2015
Congressional Hearings
February 23, 2016: Magnuson-Stevens Act at 40: Successes, Challenges and the Path Forward, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
May 20, 2015: Improvements and Innovations in Fishery Management and Data Collection, Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
113th Congress
January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2015
Introduced Legislation
Senate Staff MSA Discussion Draft, Version 2, July 18, 2014
H.R. 4742: Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, May 23, 2014
Senate Staff MSA Discussion Draft, Version 1, April 3, 2014
Council Comments
Mid-Atlantic Council Leadership Comments on Senate Staff Discussion Draft, May 2014
Mid-Atlantic Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, May 2014
North Pacific Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, April 2014
Pacific Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, March 2014
New England Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, February 2014
Western Pacific Council Comments on House Discussion Draft, January 2014
Congressional Hearings
February 27, 2014: North Pacific Perspectives on Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Statement of Mr. Chris Oliver, Chairman of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
February 4 and February 28, 2014: Legislative Hearing on H.R. ____ (Hastings of WA), "Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act," U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee
Testimony of Mr. Richard B. Robins, Jr., Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Testimony of Ms. Dorothy Lowman, Chairman, Pacific Fishery Management Council
January 30, 2014: West Coast and Western Pacific Perspectives on Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Testimony of Dr. Donald McIssac, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council
Testimony of Mr. Arnold Palacios, Chairman, Western Pacific Fishery Management Council
November 14, 2013: Senate Hearing on Southeast Regional Perspectives on MSA Reauthorization, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
Testimony of Mr. Douglass W. Boyd, Chairman, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
Testimony of Mr. Ben C. Hartig, Chairman, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Testimony of Mr. Carlos Farchette, Chairman, Caribbean Fishery Management Council
Sep 11, 2013: Oversight Hearing on "Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act", U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee
Testimony of Mr. Richard B. Robins, Jr., Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
July 23, 2013: Senate Hearing on Magnuson-Stevens Act – Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Perspectives, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Testimony of Mr. Richard B. Robins, Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Testimony of Mr. John Boreman, Scientific and Statistical Committee Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Testimony of Mr. C.M. "Rip" Cunningham Jr., Chairman, New England Fishery Management Council
June 27, 2013: Oversight Hearing on "The Management of Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act," U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee
May 21, 2013: Oversight Hearing on "Data collection issues in relation to the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act," U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee. Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
March 13, 2013: Oversight Hearing on "The reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act," U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee
112th Congress
January 3, 2011 - January 3, 2013
Congressional Hearings
August 25, 2012: Oversight Field Hearing on "Fishing = Jobs: How Strengthening America’s Fisheries Strengthens Our Economy", U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee
March 22, 2012: Oversight Hearing on "Empty Hooks: The National Ocean Policy is the Latest Threat to Access for Recreational and Commercial Fishermen", U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
December 1, 2011: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 594, H.R. 1013, H.R. 1646, H.R. 2304, H.R. 2610, H.R. 2753, H.R. 2772, and H.R. 3061, U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee
July 26, 2011: Oversight Hearing on "NOAA's Fishery Science: Is the Lack of Basic Science Costing Jobs?", U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
Additional Information
Related Links
Background Documents
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2006, January 2007
Sustainable Fisheries Act, October 1996
Fishery Conservation and Management Act, April 1976
