Spending Bill Ensures Continued Innovation for Gulf Anglers
Statement from Robert Jones, Gulf of Mexico Director, Environmental Defense Fund
(WASHINGTON - February 14, 2019) Included in the spending bill passed by Congress today was an important boost to efforts to modernize data collection of recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The bill included up to $10 million to implement electronic reporting on federally permitted charter-for-hire vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. In response Robert E. Jones, Gulf of Mexico Director for Environmental Defense Fund’s Oceans program released the following statement:
“Sen. Richard Shelby has once again delivered for the Gulf’s coastal communities. Continued funding for the electronic logbook program is a win for healthy fisheries and more stable fishing businesses.
“Reporting through electronic logbooks generates more real-time, verifiable, and high-quality recreational fishing data than the outdated paper reporting systems that are all too common in U.S. fisheries. Better access to more reliable data will help the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) better understand and manage overall fishing levels for charter fishing operators and the millions of American anglers who rely on their businesses to fish recreationally in the Gulf.
“We commend Sen. Shelby, without him electronic logbooks would not be on the water today.
“We look forward to working with NMFS to ensure the successful implementation of this important management tool, which will benefit Gulf fishermen and fisheries.”
With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
President Trump Signs Bill That Will Raise Energy Costs, Increase Pollution
July 4, 2025 -
Approval of Long-Range Transmission Projects in Illinois Will Deliver Reliable, Resilient Energy Future
July 3, 2025 -
Senate Bill Will Raise Household Energy Prices, Take Away Jobs
July 1, 2025 -
Trump EPA Proposal Appears to Attack Endangerment Finding, Limits on Pollution from Cars and Trucks
July 1, 2025 -
MethaneSAT Loses Contact with Satellite
July 1, 2025 -
Independent Analysis Shows How Legislation Prioritizing Gas Will Cost North Carolinians Billions
July 1, 2025