NPR Quotes Ryan Steen on Benefits for American Fisheries of New Fishing Bycatch Rule

Stoel Rives attorney Ryan Steen was quoted in an NPR “Producers” segment titled “Fishing Rule Aims To Do For All Marine Mammals What It Did For The Dolphin.” The article discusses a recently enacted NOAA Fisheries rule that requires foreign fisheries that export seafood to the U.S. to meet the standards of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act. 

Proponents of the rule say it could help protect many marine mammals worldwide—hundreds of thousands are estimated to be injured or killed as bycatch every year by foreign fisheries. Others caution that the rule could face challenges—from countries that see it as a violation of international trade agreements or due to a lack of funds needed to enforce it. 

Steen, who represents the Hawaii Longline Association, said the new rule would also be good for American fisheries. "If U.S. fisheries are going to be subject to the standards that are set by the [Marine Mammal Protection Act], then I think it's only fair that their foreign competitors would also be subject to the same standards if they're delivering fish into U.S. markets. It's the fair thing to do and it's the right thing to do." 

Read “Fishing Rule Aims To Do For All Marine Mammals What It Did For The Dolphin,” published January 5, 2017.