Shark Conservation Act of 2008

SHARK CONSERVATION ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - July 08, 2008)

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Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5741, the Shark Conservation Act of 2008.

The United States is a leader in international efforts to manage and conserve shark species, and the United States currently has a shark finning ban in place and guidelines under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to rebuild overfished shark populations.

I would like to take a moment to recognize the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in my district for their leading shark research. As a member of the National Shark Research Consortium, researchers at Virginia Institute of Marine Science have been monitoring shark populations in the mid-Atlantic since 1973. This long-term data set represents the longest running shark monitoring program in the world. This important research has contributed to the body of knowledge about sharks while providing important data for policymakers to better manage and conserve shark species.

H.R. 5741 is necessary because of a mistake in a court ruling opening a loophole in the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000. The ruling allowed fishermen to transfer shark fins at sea to transshipment vessels. This is clearly a violation of that Act, and this bill closes that loophole.

While supporting the bill, some Members do remain concerned that this broad legislation may be viewed as short-circuiting the ability of interested parties to comment on the proposal through the normal Regional Fishery Management Council rulemaking process. In addition, this bill may have unintended consequences for at least one State's shark fishery landing law.

While I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 5741, these concerns require continued attention as this legislation moves forward in the Senate.

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