Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act on April 13, 2026, and recognizing its significant impact on the sustainable and profitable management of the Nation's fishery resources.

Key Points

• This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This law is the main rulebook for how the United States manages fishing in ocean waters. It helps make sure we do not catch too many fish at once so that there are always enough left for the future.
• The fishing industry is a huge part of the American economy. It supports about 2.1 million jobs and brings in $319 billion in sales. Because of this law, Americans eat an average of 19 pounds of healthy seafood every year and enjoy millions of recreational fishing trips.
• Before this law started in 1976, foreign fishing boats were taking too many fish near our shores. This law pushed those boats further out and gave American fishers the first right to those waters. It also created eight regional groups that let local fishers and scientists help make the rules.
• The law has been very successful at fixing past mistakes. Since it began, 52 different types of fish populations that were in trouble have been rebuilt to healthy levels. By 2025, only 4 percent of managed fish groups were being overfished.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.