U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, last week introduced the Bryson Fitch Fisherman Protection Act in Congress.
The legislation is meant to increase safety measures aboard fishing vessels and is named in honor of missing Pacific County crab fisherman Bryson Fitch.
In February, a crab fishing vessel, Ethel May, sank near the entrance of Willapa Bay. Two crewmen were rescued from the wreckage, but fisherman Bryson Fitch was not located. Fitch wasn’t equipped with a personal locator beacon, which is a device that could allow the Coast Guard to locate crew members during rescue efforts, according to a news release from Gluesenkamp Perez’s office.
The U.S. Coast Guard recommends, but does not require, all vessels to provide the locators to crew. The new federal legislation would create a business tax credit worth 50% of costs incurred for commercial fishing vessels that purchase locator beacon for everyone on board, the news release stated.
It would also create a personal tax credit worth 50% of costs incurred for the purchase of the devices for individuals aboard a fishing vessel without enough to equip every person aboard.
“Fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and it’s our responsibility to make sure these hard-working men and women are protected on the job,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in the release. “This bill will help ensure more fishermen are equipped with the personal safety equipment they need to be located during an emergency. I’m continuing to keep Bryson, his loved ones, and the fishing community in my prayers, and I hope we can honor his legacy by making fishermen safer.”
