MORATORIUM ON FINES FOR INCIDENTAL DISCHARGES EXTENDED THREE YEARS

U.S. Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo applauded an agreement with Senate negotiators and approved by Congress to extend for another three (3) years the moratorium from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state regulations and fines governing incidental discharges on commercial fishing vessels and all other commercial vessels less than 79 feet. In November 2013, LoBiondo introduced the “Commercial Vessel Discharges Reform Act of 2013” which would have created a permanent moratorium. In a unanimous vote in the House of Representatives in April 2014, LoBiondo’s legislation was included and approved as part of the “Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act.” Unfortunately, opposition in the U.S. Senate forced LoBiondo to seek a compromise on this critical issue for commercial fishermen.