Rhode Island Fishermen’s Fairness Act of 2023

Rhode Island Fishermen's Fairness Act of 2023

This bill adds Rhode Island to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and increases council membership from 21 to 23 members. The council is not given authority over the fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean seaward of Rhode Island. The bill also increases the number of members to be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce from 13 to 14.

The council is one of eight regional councils in the United States that are responsible for managing fishery resources in federal waters in coordination with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.