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Fishing
Fishing is a pillar of Eastern North Carolina’s heritage and key component of our regional economy.
Where I Stand
Fishing is a pillar of Eastern North Carolina’s heritage and a key component of our regional economy. Federal policy ought to reflect the importance of this industry to job creation and economic growth, but sadly, that is not the case. Instead, federal law and federal regulators have crippled this once-vibrant industry.
Defending fishermen is one of my top priorities in Congress. I have been active, and in many cases, a national leader on a wide variety of fishing issues. These include leading the fight against catch share programs that fishermen do not want and leading the effort to secure flexibility in rebuilding fisheries.
As long as I have the privilege to serve, I will do everything in my power to make sure that fishermen are treated fairly by the federal government.
Legislative Action in the 113th Congress
Cosponsored Legislation
H.R. 799 - Fisheries Disaster Relief and Research Investment Act - Would revise the program under which the Secretary of Commerce provides financial assistance for fisheries research and development projects to support research and the maintenance of healthy fish populations and sustainable fisheries.
H.R. 1012 - Safety and Fraud Enforcement for Seafood Act - Would require more stringent reporting on the history of imported seafood to allow for greater traceability and increase the number of shipments inspected for seafood fraud.
Signed Letters
Letter questioning the National Marine Fisheries Service's effort to protect Atlantic Sturgeon as an endangered species, a designation that would impose strict regulations on Eastern North Carolina commercial fishermen and harm the coastal economy.
Letter requesting that House committee leadership block funding for approval of new fisheries catch shares programs in the Atlantic Ocean.
Related Actions
Congressman Jones worked closely with North Carolina fishermen and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries in imploring the National Marine Fisheries Service to reconsider a proposal that would have closed federal waters off Dare County to pelagic long-line fishing in order to protect dusky sharks. Their request was granted in February 2013, preventing the numerous vessels operating in those waters from going out of business.