The Recreational Fishing Alliance is pleased by the support of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention and Reduction Act (S. 362). The RFA completely supports the bill and cleaning up marine debris that will affect the environment.
Under the leadership of House Resources Committee Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-CA), S. 362 the Marine Debris Research, Prevention and Reduction Act was unanimously approved by the full committee yesterday. The bill establishes programs to help identify the sources of debris and works to reduce its impact on the marine environment.
"This bill will help combat the pervasive threat of marine debris and its effect on the environment," said Chairman Pombo. "The committee will continue its work on ocean related issues and legislation in the coming months in order to bring meaningful legislation to the President's desk that addresses the recommendations of the Ocean Commission Report. I also want to commend Senator Inouye for his leadership and hard work on this bill."
The marine debris bill will establish a marine debris program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and reactivate the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee to promote a coordinated federal response to address the marine debris issue. The Coast Guard would be required to review the effectiveness of existing marine debris prevention measures, assess the feasibility of improving these measures, and continue working with the international community to prevent and reduce marine debris worldwide. The Ocean Commission Report devoted an entire chapter to this subject and emphasized it as a serious threat to the marine environment.
"I commend the House and Senate in moving legislation to address the pervasive issue of marine debris. I look forward to working with both bodies in their efforts to address other recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy." said Admiral (Ret.) James Watkins, Chairman of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.
The Committee on Resources has held 11 hearings on specific Ocean Commission related issues and is currently reviewing or drafting six legislative initiatives which address issues raised in the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy report. The Committee has made a concerted effort to respond to the Commission report and U.S. Ocean Action Plan, released by the President.
Other legislative initiatives the Resources Committee is working on include: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Organic Act, Ocean and Coastal Observation System legislation, Marine Mammal Protection Act Amendments, the Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act, and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Amendments.
