I read with interest your story outlining the bills in Congress that could affect the Pacific Northwest’s fishermen and our ocean (“Fishing for solutions,” May 17).
The Association of Northwest Steelheaders is particularly concerned about H.R. 200, which could get a floor vote this summer. This bill undermines the strong scientific foundation of the law responsible for preventing overfishing in our waters and rebuilding 44 fish populations around the country since 2000. Under the guise of seeking more “flexibility,” some are trying to weaken the law so they can take a lot more fish now.
Many fishermen have endured lean years to get to where we are now, and we must honor that commitment and protect the gains we have made. We will all lose if we return to overfishing. The Steelheaders oppose this bill, and hope that Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, and her House colleagues will, as well.