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Proposed law to conserve billfish is advancing in Congress

 

A new proposed law to boost conservation of sailfish, marlin and spearfish is advancing in Congress.

The Billfish Conservation Act was adopted by the Natural Resources Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. Now H.R. 2706 is headed for the full House, while a companion measure will require a hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill would prohibit the sale of all billfish (excluding swordfish) in the United States, except for traditional fisheries in Hawaiian waters. The sale of Atlantic billfish has been prohibited in the United States for two decades; however, that longtime ban does not cover billfish caught in Pacific waters. Conservationists say HR. 2706 is intended to close that loophole. Anglers can persuade their representatives in Congress to adopt it at http://keepamericafishing.salsalabs.com/o/6394/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4039 and enter a zip code.

Susan Cocking

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