Senate approves bipartisan Capito bill to update use of driftnets

The U.S. Senate on Sept. 14 unanimously passed a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to improve the management of driftnet fishing.

“I’m thrilled this legislation has now passed the Senate and look forward to the president signing this into law,” Sen. Capito said.

The Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, S. 273, which Sen. Capito cosponsored on Feb. 8 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for action. Specifically, the bill would phase out large mesh drift gillnets used in federal waters off the coast of California.

“While the use of large mesh drift gillnets is already prohibited off the coasts of most states, these tools are still injuring or killing a whole host of marine animals off California’s coast,” said Sen. Capito. “These driftnets are left in the ocean overnight to catch swordfish and thresher sharks.”

“However, at least 60 other marine species, such as seals and turtles, can also become entangled in these nets, injuring or killing them,” she said, noting that these gillnets are between a mile and a mile-and-a-half long and can extend 200 feet below the ocean surface.

If enacted, S. 273 also would help the industry transition to more sustainable methods, such as deep-set buoy gear that uses a hook-and-buoy system to attract swordfish with bait and then alert fishermen when a bite is detected, according to information provided by the senator’s office.