This bill (like the House version introduced in March) provides environmentally beneficial job opportunities for fishermen. It increases support for cooperative research management and monitoring projects that improve ocean science (such as identifying and protecting essential fish habitat). It also would provide funds to conserve coral reef ecosystems, and restore and protect coastal resources like wetlands.
Conservation and fishing groups support this bill because it creates ocean-related jobs (like hiring fishermen to remove litter in the sea), which helps coastal communities while fish populations are rebuilding. These jobs would improve ocean AND economic health at the same time – a win-win opportunity we should take.
Very encouraging to see fishermen and environmentalists working together.
