Jeff Strong, President of Strong's Marine & MRAA Board Chair, testifies on Capitol Hill regarding the MAPOceans Act and H.R. 8704 for Marine Retailers.
On June 27, 2024, Jeff Strong was deeply engaged in discussions in Washington, D.C., offering valuable insights on the Right Whale vessel speed rule and delving into the implications of the MAPOceans Act and H.R. 8704 for the Marine Retailers community.
Jeff Strong's testimony provided key insights on how marine retailers stand to benefit from various bills before the committee while highlighting the shortcomings of the proposed Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule and the impact it stands to have on marine retailers. As a business owner himself Jeff Strong brought his decades of experience in the Marine industry to the table pointing out key shortcomings in some studies. Jeff Strong spoke before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
These proposed bills will offer valuable insights to recreational boaters navigating the open seas, emphasizing the importance of accessible information on federal fisheries regulations and effective methods for detecting and protecting Right Whales.
Jeff Strong took to Capitol Hill on June 27, 2024, to deliver his testimony and advocate for marine retailers and the broader recreational marine industry.
“Throughout my 51 years in the industry, I have seen firsthand the value that our coastal regions provide, not just as critical habitat but also as recreational spaces that support local economies,” said Strong.
The MAPOceans Act
The MAPOceans Act aims to provide standardized and easily accessible data regarding the utilization of our waterways. Through the digitalization of information concerning these bodies of water, including fishing restrictions and regulations, the goal of many in the marine industry is to safeguard the well-being and enjoyment of recreational boaters and anglers, as well as the preservation of sport-fish populations.
Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule
The Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule serves as a protective measure for North Atlantic right whales, an endangered species vulnerable to ship strikes. This regulation aims to mitigate the risk of vessel-whale collisions, crucial for the conservation and recovery of this highly endangered species. It may entail speed restrictions in specific zones, accompanied by penalties and fines, with potential exemptions for certain vessels based on safety or security considerations.
H.R. 8704
Bill H.R. 8704 would pause any changes to the current North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule until 2030 while also establishing a grant program to foster enhanced coexistence between recreational boaters and North Atlantic Right Whales.
Strong emphasized the significant economic repercussions that the proposed rule could impose on marine retailers and stressed the necessity for innovative technological solutions to aid in the conservation efforts for the North Atlantic Right Whale. He presented recent survey findings conducted by the MRAA to the committee, illustrating that the potential impact of the proposed regulation could amount to a staggering $2 billion per year for marine retailers along the Atlantic coast.
Marine Retailers Association of the America's Involvement
As the MRAA Board Chair, Jeff Strong participated in the discussions in Washington, D.C. Matt Gruhn, President of the MRAA, commended Jeff for his active engagement, highlighting his leadership and unwavering commitment to the marine industry.
Matt Gruhn noted that the MRAA takes every opportunity to educate lawmakers on how proposed regulations and legislation, like the Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule or MAPOceans Act, stand to hurt small businesses along the Atlantic coast or benefit recreational boaters and our member businesses.
As the MAPOceans Act and H.R. 8704 progress through the legislative process, the MRAA remains committed to championing these crucial policy initiatives. They will collaborate closely with policymakers to advocate for the well-being of our members and the wider recreational marine industry, ensuring their interests are advanced effectively.
For the full legislative hearing watch the recording below. If you would like to see Jeff Strong's testimony you can skip to 0:41:30 as well as Jeff's rebuttal's at time stamps 3:02:00, 3:11:00, 3:20:00 and 3:30:00).
