WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) introduced legislation to better support commercial fishermen as they respond to shifting fish populations due to climate change. The Supporting Healthy Interstate Fisheries in Transition (SHIFT) Act would require that the U.S. Department of Commerce consider the changing geographic ranges of fish populations as it oversees federal fishery management plans and quota allocations.

"Connecticut's fishing industry is so important to our state's economy, but it's being held back by outdated, decades-old federal laws that don't allow our fishermen to adapt to an unpredictable and fast-changing climate," said Murphy. "This bill will modernize our fisheries management laws for the 21st century - allowing our fishermen to stay ahead of fish migrations, maximize their catch, and reduce their costs - and bring us one step closer to our goal of a sustainable, blue economy for Connecticut."

"This legislation addresses outdated fishing requirements and ensures that climate change conditions like rising water temperatures that shift fish stocks are prioritized in fishery management plans. Our changing climate has seriously altered our oceans, forcing fishermen to travel far distances to earn a living or throw back valuable fish. With the SHIFT Act, we will make sure fishery management plans accurately reflect the drastic impacts of climate change-bolstering our local fishermen and raising the tides for our state's blue economy," said Blumenthal.

Restrictions on the species and number of fish that can be caught in Atlantic waters haven't been updated in decades, even as warming ocean temperatures have caused fish populations to shift dramatically northward. As a result, commercial fishermen are forced to travel significant distances to access fish populations-or toss valuable fish back into the ocean. The SHIFT Act requires the Secretary of Commerce to account for climate change impacts on the distribution of fish populations when making quota allocations and fishery management plans for Atlantic states.

The SHIFT Act is endorsed by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, Pew Charitable Trusts, American Saltwater Guides Association, Earthjustice, Environmental Defense Fund, and the National Audubon Society.

"As marine fisheries shift and transform in response to climate change, there is an urgent need for policy guidance on how to best conserve them and support fishing communities for the long term. The SHIFT Act would respond by updating management frameworks to keep pace with shifting fish stocks, reduce user conflicts, and promote precautionary management of emerging fisheries. These solutions have a key role in securing a resilient future for our fisheries," said Molly Masterton, NRDC Senior Attorney.

"Warming temperatures are threatening ocean ecosystems, and shifts in fish stock distributions are creating new challenges for the sustainable management of our nation's fisheries. The SHIFT Act makes necessary changes to fishery management systems to account for the impacts when fish populations move between jurisdictions," said Meredith Moore, Senior Director of the Fish Conservation Program at Ocean Conservancy.