UW News

April 23, 2014

Fisheries act, up for reauthorization, subject of UW symposium

News and Information

The Magnuson-Stevens Act governing fisheries conservation and management, currently under review for reauthorization by Congress, is the subject of a public symposium 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 24 and 25, on the University of Washington campus. Registration has topped out at more than 200 and all available spots are full. Others interested in the topic can view a live video stream of the event starting Thursday morning.

Words and line drawing of fishThe two-day symposium is this year’s offering through the annual Bevan Series on Sustainable Fisheries. Now in its 14th year, the Bevan series is conducted by the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences in partnership with the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs.

Initially passed in 1976, the act is considered the primary law governing marine fisheries management in U.S. waters. The Magnuson-Stevens Act has been amended several times over the years and was last reauthorized in 2006. Senate and House committees are currently gathering perspectives from stakeholders.

The symposium starts Thursday with historical perspectives on the act and a panel with four Congressional staff members. Rep. Doc Hastings of Washington, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, delivers the keynote address at 1:30 p.m., the start of the afternoon session. Other speakers and panels will consider such topics as overfishing, accountability, perspectives from regional fish councils, treaty rights and future challenges, according to symposium steering committee co-chairs Andre Punt and David Armstrong, both UW professors of aquatic and fishery sciences.

Tag(s):