    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [December 9, 2006]
    [Pages 2171-2172]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Congressional Passage of Fisheries Management Legislation
    December 9, 2006

        I applaud Congress for working in a bipartisan manner to pass a
    stronger Magnuson-Stevens Act. Our Nation is committed to maintaining
    our thriving commercial and
    recreational fishing communities. This bill embraces my priorities of
    ending overfishing and rebuilding our Nation's fish stocks through more
    effective, market-

    [[Page 2172]]

    based management and tougher enforcement. This landmark legislation also
    provides stronger tools to achieve progress internationally to ensure
    healthy fish stocks, promote better management, and halt destructive
    fishing practices based on sound science.
        Since my administration released the Ocean Action Plan in 2004, we
    have been making great strides in our efforts to make our oceans,
    coasts, and Great Lakes cleaner, healthier, and more productive.
    Enactment of this bill is one of the top priorities of the Ocean Action
    Plan and is another significant bipartisan environmental achievement.

    Note: The statement referred to H.R. 5946.