"I am pleased that on the thirtieth anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, we were finally able to find bipartisan consensus on a proposal that sustains progress in rebuilding groundfish stocks and boosts our fishing industry.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act, formerly known as the 200 mile limit law, was first enacted thirty years ago through the leadership of former Congressman Gerry Studds. The last time Congress reauthorized the bill was in 1996. In recent years, fishermen have been lobbying Congress to reauthorize the Act and to revise it in ways that would improve efforts to rebuild depleted fishing stocks.

In recent months, the Congress has been unable to resolve differences over numerous competing interests and provisions dealing with fishing quotas and how to rebuild groundfish stocks. Most observers were pessimistic that the gridlock would end. However, several controversial provisions were dropped over the past two days which made it easier for all sides to embrace the final bill. Provisions were also added that protect New England's small boat fishing fleets, especially the family-owned operations typical along the New England coastline.

"I am especially pleased that the final bill includes a number of changes involving fishing quotas that, in the long run, will protect the small boat fleets that are so important to fishing communities all throughout New England," Delahunt said.

Over the past five year, Delahunt and Representative Tom Allen of Maine have led efforts in the Congress to restrict large fishing fleets and corporations from creating monopolies through the acquisition of fishing licenses and quotas from small boat fishermen. The final bill includes provisions promoted by Allen and Delahunt to help prevent monopolies and protect the smaller independent, family based vessels.

The final bill establishes a ten-year renewable term limit on individual fishing quota shares, requires accountability when annual catch limits are exceeded; streamlines procedures for fisheries management plans while maintaining full compliance with environmental laws; compel Fisheries Management Councils (FMC) to end over-fishing immediately through development and implementation of a rebuilding plan for over-fished stocks within two years; and authorize the FMCs to locate, map, and designate zones around deep sea coral reefs to protect them from the physical effects of fishing gear.

Delahunt expressed disappointment that suggestions from Cape Cod fishermen on ways to improve dogfish management were not adopted, but vowed to work on provisions in the next Congress.