Fw: Help shape a better ocean management policy

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Help Shape A Better Ocean Management PolicyHelp.....

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Ted Morton, Oceana

Nora Gottlieb

Wednesday, August 25, 2004 11:17 AM

Help shape a better ocean management policy

 

 

 

 

Help Shape A Better Ocean Management Policy

 

Dear Nora,

 

The crisis facing our oceans has been in the news

a lot lately, thanks in part to the release of reports from the U.S. Commission

on Oceans Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission that both conclude that major

changes in the way we manage our oceans are needed to restore and protect ocean

waters, wildlife and habitats.

 

Thankfully, there are legislators who have been

listening. One of them is Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia, who introduced an

important bill, the Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2004 (H.R. 4706), in the

House of Representatives. This bill would help set a new, more sensible course

for American ocean management by balancing the voices of commercial fishermen,

recreational fishermen, and the general public in the regional fishery

management process; by requiring policy decisions to be grounded in science,

rather than commercial interest; and by putting in place stronger conflict of

interest rules to keep people from having undue influence over certain fishing

rules that significantly affect them.

 

We think Rep. Rahall's bill would be a major step

forward for ocean management. So we're asking you to take a moment to contact

your Representative and tell him or her to co-sponsor the Fisheries Management

Reform Act of 2004:

 

 

a.. Take Action: Tell your Representative to

Co-Sponsor the Fisheries Management Reform Act!

The commission reports have shown without a doubt

that the time for action on ocean policy is now. Rep. Rahall has heard that

message, and is bringing it to his colleagues in Congress. Help us help him

spread the word!

 

For the oceans,

 

 

 

Ted Morton

Federal Policy Director

Oceana

 

 

 

 

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):

Your Congressperson

 

 

Below is the sample letter:

 

Please Co-Sponsor H.R. 4706

 

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted

here],

 

I care about the health and future of our oceans.

I am concerned by the numerous scientific studies that show our ocean wildlife,

waters, and habitats are in deep decline. A lot needs to occur to improve the

way we manage and protect our oceans. As an early step, I urge you to co-sponsor

H.R. 4706, the Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2004.

 

Earlier this summer, Representatives Nick Rahall

and Sam Farr introduced H.R. 4706. The purpose of the bill is to change the way

we manage ocean fish populations. The Fisheries Management Reform Act is a

focued effort to address several critical problems plaguing fishery management.

The bill ensures that sound science is the basis for management decisions,

broadens representation on fishery management councils to include more members

of the public, and sigificantly reduces conflict of interests.

 

In April, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

released its preliminary report on the health of America's oceans. It c oncluded

that our oceans are in serious decline and immediate action is needed to return

them to vitality. H.R. 4706 takes a critical step to ensure we improve some of

the major shortcomings of the current fishery management system.

 

Ensuring healthy, sustainable oceans is critically

important. I encourage you to help restore America's oceans by co-sponsoring

H.R. 4706, the Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2004. Thanks for your

consideration.

 

Sincerely,

 

Nora Gottlieb

 

 

 

 

Take Action!

Instructions:

Click here to take action on this issue or choose

the " Reply to Sender " option on your email program.

 

 

 

Tell-A-Friend:

Tell your friends about this important bill --

let's show Capitol Hill that the time for action on ocean management is NOW!

Tell-a-Friend!

 

 

 

What's At Stake:

 

 

The Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2004 (H.R.

4706) sets forth key changes to the way our nation decides how we fish in ocean

waters. The bill builds upon recommendations made by the U.S. Commission on

Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission in their comprehensive reports on

ocean health and policy. Both reports conclude that America's oceans are in

significant decline and significant changes are needed to restore ocean waters,

wildlife, and habitats to health.

 

HOW DID WE GET IN THIS MESS?

Currently, eight councils stacked with fishing

interests determine the basic rules of fishery management -- each council

managing a distinct region of US waters. These councils calculate how many fish

can be caught and how they should be allocated among the many fishermen, which

fishing gears can be used, which areas are open, and how to protect undersea

habitats. The federal government, through the National Marine Fisheries Service,

approves most of the decisions made by the councils.

 

HOW THE RAHALL BILL WOULD FIX IT

The bill would make some key changes to the

current system. First, it would broaden participation in the Councils. Right

now, commercial and recreational fishing interests dominate the councils. Since

1985, more than 80 percent of the appointees to the Councils have represented

fishing interests. The bill would require balanced representation among

commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, and the general public.

 

Second, the bill would require councils to more

closely follow the scientific advice it is given. Often, political or economic

pressures prompt councils to increase fish quotas above levels that are

considered sustainable by the science. The bill would require the National

Marine Fisheries Service and independent scientists to make the conservation

decisions. The councils would be charged with allocating science-based quotas

and setting out ways to implement other conservation decisions.

 

The bill also seeks to strengthen conflict of

interest rules governing council members and establishes basic training for

newly appointed council members.

 

 

 

 

Campaign Expiration Date:

October 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

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