June 3, 2014

Dear Chairman Rockefeller,

Taxpayers for Common Sense would like to comment on a provision in the discussion draft of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Specifically we are concerned with a provision that would create a “sustainably caught” certification program. I have attached a letter TCS sent to NOAA outlining our concerns with a similar proposal being considered. In short, the certification scheme would likely be a costly and completely unnecessary new federal program.

As you know, there are widely accepted third party systems for assessing sustainable fisheries. These systems have already gained market acceptance and would be seen as more credible than a government certification that U.S. fisheries are complying with U.S. laws. In addition, the federal taxpayer does not have to bear the burden of the significant costs of operating a certification scheme. Requiring fish to be labeled with traceability facts detailing the species, origin, and management makes sense to help stop counterfeiting, but creating a whole new certification system does not.

Again, we are concerned with the creation of a new, costly, fish certification scheme. If you would like to discuss this further please contact me or Steve Ellis at 202-546-8500 or steve[at]taxpayer.net.

Sincerely,

Ryan Alexander
President

Copy: Members Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee