Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization and Amendments

Congress periodically reviews the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and considers whether changes are warranted. Below are a number of documents and resources related to MSA reauthorization discussions and other legislative activities. 

MSA Activities of the 118th Congress (January 2023-Present)

For information about legislation and hearings prior to the 118th Congress, please scroll down to the "Archive" section.

Introduced Legislation

  • Bills will be linked here as they are introduced

Congressional Hearings

  • Hearings will be posted here as they are announced

Council Coordination Committee Working Paper on MSA Reauthorization Issues

The Council Coordination Committee (CCC) maintains a working paper to describe consensus positions and the range of Regional Fishery Management Council perspectives on key issues being considered as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) reauthorization process. This paper may be periodically updated as new legislation is introduced.

Current Version:

Individual Council Comments on MSA Reauthorization Issues

Council Comments on

Request for Feedback from RFMCS on H.R. 4690 (8/25/21)

Council Comments on

General Council Comments (not associated with specific legislation)

Council Comments on “To improve the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and for other purposes.” November 2018

Council Comments on (July 2017)

Council Comments on  (January 2017)

Council Comments on (March 2015)"

Council Comments on Senate Staff Discussion Draft: "Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2014" (April 2014)

Council Comments on House Discussion Draft: “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act" (December 2013)

Archive

117th Congress

Introduced Legislation

Congressional Hearings

  • November 16, 2021: , U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans

    • , Chair of Council Coordination Committee and Chair of Pacific Fishery Management Council

116th Congress

Introduced Legislation

  • H.R. 2236, “Forage Fish Conservation Act”

    • , Introduced April 10, 2019 by Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI)

  • Huffman/Case MSA Reauthorization Discussion Draft

Congressional Hearings and Related Events

  • January 14, 2020: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

  • : In 2019, Representative Jared Huffman initiated a nationwide listening tour on fisheries management issues. A list of listening sessions is available (video recordings are available by clicking on the individual listening session locations). Written testimonies from regional fishery management council members are linked below. Please note that panelists participated as individuals and did not represent official council positions.

    • Testimony of Mr. Bob Dooley, Pacific Fishery Management Council Member

    • Testimony of Mr. Louie Zimm, Pacific Fishery Management Council Member

    • Testimony of Mr. Bill Tweit, Vice-Chairman, North Pacific Fishery Management Council

    • Testimony of Mr. Anthony Benavente, Western Pacific Fishery Management Council member and Secretary of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

    • , Chairman, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, Presented by Edwin Watamura, Vice Chair (Hawai‘i)
    • , Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Member
    • , Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Member
    • , Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Member

    • Testimony of Mr. Spud Woordward, South Atlantic Regional Fishery Management Council Member

115th Congress

January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2019

Introduced Legislation

  • “To improve the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and for other purposes.” November 2018

  • S. 1520, "Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017

    • , introduced July 10, 2017 by Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi)

    • S. 1520 Modified Substitute Amendment - Advanced to the Senate floor by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on February 28, 2018

  • S. 1748, "Florida Fisheries Improvement Act"

Congressional Hearings

  • February 28, 2018: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

  • December 12, 2017: , U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee

  • October 24, 2017: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

  • September 26, 2017: , U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans

  • September 12, 2017: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

  • August 23, 2017: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

    • , Chairman of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council;

  • August 1, 2017: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

    • , Chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council

  • July 19, 2017:  U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans

  • March 15, 2017: , U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans

114th Congress

January 3, 2015 - January 3, 2017

Introduced Legislation

  • , March 2015
  • , May 20, 2015

Council Comments

Congressional Hearings

  • February 23, 2016: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

  • May 20, 2015: Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

113th Congress

January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2015

Introduced Legislation

Council Comments

Congressional Hearings

  • February 27, 2014: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

  • February 4 and February 28, 2014: Legislative Hearing on H.R. ____ (Hastings of WA), "Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act," U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee

  • January 30, 2014: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

  • November 14, 2013: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

    • , Chairman, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
    • , Chairman, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
    • , Chairman, Caribbean Fishery Management Council

  • Sep 11, 2013: Oversight Hearing on "Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act", U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee

  • July 23, 2013: , U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

    • Testimony of Mr. Richard B. Robins, Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

    • , Scientific and Statistical Committee Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
    • , Chairman, New England Fishery Management Council

  • June 27, 2013: Oversight Hearing on "The Management of Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act," U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee

  • May 21, 2013: Oversight Hearing on "Data collection issues in relation to the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act," U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee. Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs

  • March 13, 2013: Oversight Hearing on "The reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act," U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee

112th Congress

January 3, 2011 - January 3, 2013

Congressional Hearings

  • August 25, 2012: Oversight Field Hearing on "Fishing = Jobs: How Strengthening America’s Fisheries Strengthens Our Economy", U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee

  • March 22, 2012: Oversight Hearing on "Empty Hooks: The National Ocean Policy is the Latest Threat to Access for Recreational and Commercial Fishermen", U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs

  • December 1, 2011: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 594, H.R. 1013, H.R. 1646, H.R. 2304, H.R. 2610, H.R. 2753, H.R. 2772, and H.R. 3061, U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee

  • July 26, 2011: Oversight Hearing on "NOAA's Fishery Science: Is the Lack of Basic Science Costing Jobs?", U.S. House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs

Additional Information

Related Links

Background Documents

  • , January 2007
  • , October 1996
  • , April 1976