Protecting Our Atlantic Legacy
What's New
On March 29, 2006, MASSPIRG participated in a press teleconference to discuss overfishing protections, centering around a new report that finds little progress in increasing the number of healthy fish stocks.
Only 10 ocean fish stocks in New England – equal to 28 percent of federally managed ocean fish stocks under management of the New England Fishery Management Council – are known to be healthy, and this number has worsened since 2001, finds a new report by The Marine Fish Conservation Network. Nearly 50 percent of New England’s fish stocks are in jeopardy—overfished and/or experiencing overfishing.
In the briefing, top ocean policy analysts discussed the findings of the Network’s new report on national and regional trends in overfishing in U.S. waters. Speakers also explained what these findings mean for members of Congress who are taking up the re-authorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the nation's primary fisheries law. Additionally, experts discussed why overfishing is detrimental to the marine environment and to coastal communities around the nation.
The report clearly demonstrates that Congress should not weaken the overfishing protections in the main U.S. fisheries law, but should instead strengthen conservation measures when renewing it. More.
How You Can Help
Call Senators John Kerry and Ted Kennedy and ask them to support strengthening the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA - S. 2012), the federal law that regulates fishing in our oceans.
 |
| Sustainable management
of our oceans would ensure the future of marine life and the legacy of the
Atlantic Ocean for future generations. |
Brief Summary
America's oceans play an important role in our economy, recreational opportunities, and in the life of many communities. There are fishing communities in New England where fishermen have gone out to sea since the 17th Century. For many of these people, fishing is not just one recreational choice from among many; it is their way of life and livelihood.
Overfishing, habitat destruction and ocean mismanagement are leading to the decline of ocean wildlife and putting our fishing heritage at risk. In report after report, year after year, scientists have documented the declining health of our oceans and the continuing depletion of important fish populations. In New England, almost half of all major fish like cod, flounder, and haddock are severely depleted--meaning that populations are at 5-20 percent of their historical size, putting an ever increasing strain on our fisheries and the communities that depend on them.
 |
| The Leatherback sea
turtle is one of the local species endangered as a result of ocean mismanagement. |
Unfortunately, decision-makers have ignored these threats too often, elevating short-term economic gain over the long-term fate of New England's coastal life. This is occurring because, in New England, unsustainable quotas and an unnecessarily complex web of management are the norm. The New England Fishery Management Council, the council responsible for managing waters off our coast, is composed primarily of members with strong ties to the commercial and recreational fishing industries. Amazingly, only one member of the twelve appointed to the council is from the environmental or conservation communities. Too often science is ignored as politics and economics dictate management decisions.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act, the law responsible for the protection of our oceans from overfishing, is being updated. Congress should act now to strengthen this bill to broaden the regional fishery management council’s membership, require independent experts to determine how many fish can be caught sustainably based on sound science, and set numerical catch limits that are clear and enforceable.
Resources
Turning a Blind Eye: The ‘See No Evil’ Approach to Wasteful Fishing 7/6/06
Shell Game: How The Federal Government Is Hiding The Mismanagement Of Our Nation’s Fisheries 4/12/06
MASSPIRG comments on proposed ocean protection rollbacks 10/21/05
White House
Responds to Oceans Commission 12/17/04
Representative Rahall Continues Effort to Protect Oceans 3/17/05
Opinion Editorial - Preserving Our Atlantic Legacy
Links
Conserve Our Ocean Legacy
U.S.
Commission on Ocean Policy Final Report
Pew Oceans
Commission Report
