Yamaha Marine Group Applauds Passage of H.R. 1335

Don Young speaking in favor of H.R. 1335

Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization contains major provisions benefitting recreational fishing

WASHINGTON--Yamaha Marine Group, along with a coalition of organizations representing the recreational boating and fishing communities, congratulates the U.S. House of Representatives on its passage of H.R. 1335, a bill to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary statute governing the nation’s marine fisheries. The House-passed measure reflects provisions that are favorable to recreational anglers and conservation efforts.  

Provisions in H.R. 1335 supported by the recreational fishing community include:

• Promoting a more transparent and science-based review of fishery allocations;
• Helping ensure that important fisheries aren’t closed unnecessarily by providing limited exceptions for annual catch limits;
• Improving the accuracy of fish stock information through greater involvement by the states and incorporating data collected by anglers themselves.

“This is a very significant victory for the coalition of recreational anglers and conservation groups that have worked so hard for the last several years to effect change in the reauthorization of MSA,” said Ben Speciale, Yamaha Marine Group President. “We are very proud of our association with the American Sportfishing Association®, The Billfish Foundation®, Coastal Conservation Association, Center for Coastal Conservation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, The International Game Fish Association®, National Marine Manufacturers Association®, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation®, Recreational Fishing Alliance and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. We are also very proud to support these organizations on behalf of the industry and recreational anglers everywhere.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to the Yamaha dealers, boat builders, Yamaha employees, and recreational anglers at large who took the time to contact Members of Congress, and raise their voices for the industry and recreational fishing,” said Speciale. “This effort continues with the desire to see legislation come to pass out of the Senate during the 114^th Congress. We look forward to working with Senator Rubio and Members of the Senate Commerce Committee, on both sides of the aisle, as they lead the effort on the reauthorization of MSA in the Senate.”

“The House action recognizes the increasing popularity of saltwater recreational fishing, which contributes $70 billion annually to the nation’s economy and supports 454,000 jobs in every type of business from marinas, tackle shops and boat dealerships to restaurants, motels and clothing stores,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation.“

In addition, during consideration on the House floor, an amendment by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) was added that gives NOAA Fisheries the authority to implement management practices better tailored to the nature of recreational fishing.

The recreational fishing community also supports the inclusion of an amendment by the lead sponsor of H.R. 1335, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), to better incorporate data collected by anglers into management.

“We applaud the House for recognizing that recreational fishing has cultural and economic needs that differ from that of the commercial fishing industry,” said Thom Dammrich, president of National Marine Manufacturers Association®. “Passage of this legislation is a big step in the right direction for anglers, for boaters -- and for the local businesses that depend on them.”

Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Group, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service.

Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA^®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.

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Source Yamaha Marine through BUSINESS WIRE by press release ©

Contacts: Yamaha Marine Group / Martin Peters / Manager, Communications / Office: 770-420-5829
Mobile: 678-763-2583 / martin_peters@yamaha-motor.com
or
Heidi Weber / Communications Coordinator / Office: 770-420-5848 / Mobile: 770-547-4748 /heidi_weber@yamaha-motor.com

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