FIsh First Coalition

The Fish First Coalition is a group of conservation-oriented recreational anglers who share a passion for responsible fishery management. We believe that a balance between science, existing management practices, and angler participation will provide all anglers responsible access to our fisheries and leave them better for future generations.

Protecting and enhancing America’s marine resources by supporting policies and management practices grounded in the best available science is the key to durable and resilient fisheries for today and the future.

We do that by:

Seeking to maintain and build upon the core tenets of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Working with federal and state fishery managers and scientists to find new methods for more accurate data collection to better inform management decisions.

Promoting the best scientific information available as the guiding principle for all fishery management decisions.

Supporting durable and resilient management systems that address the needs of private recreational anglers while accommodating other stakeholders and future generations.

Here is educational material and information to help you stay better informed.

September 12, 2017: Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act: Oversight of Fisheries Management Successes and Challenges

From the Committee website:
“U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), chairman of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, will convene the hearing titled “Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act: Oversight of Fisheries Management Successes and Challenges” at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. The hearing is the third of the series and will focus on the perspectives of commercial, charter, and recreational fishermen on the state of our nation’s fishery laws.

Witnesses:
Panel I
–  Phil Faulkner, President,  Nautic Star Boats
–  Jim Donofrio, Executive Director, Recreational Fishing Alliance
–  Chris Horton, Senior Director, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
–  Anthony Friedrich, Saltwater Angler
Panel II
–  Lori Steele, Executive Director, West Coast Seafood Processors Association
–  Peter Andrew, Board Member, Bristol Bay Native Corporation
–  Greg DiDomenico, Executive Director, Garden State Seafood Association
–  Capt. William “Bubba” Cochrane, President, Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance”

Testimony of all witnesses is available on the committee’s website via the link above.

We will post information about important events here.

September 12, 2017: Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act: Oversight of Fisheries Management Successes and Challenges