Pew Supports Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Efforts to End Overfishing

Council Takes Positive First Steps to Establish Annual Catch Limits, Accountability Measures

WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Pew Environment Group today commended the Mid-Atlantic Council on its initial step toward implementing new federal requirements designed to end overfishing and rebuild depleted fish populations through the application of annual catch limits and accountability measures.

The 2006 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that fishery management councils develop plans that include new annual catch limits and accountability measures by 2011. By basing these regulations on best available science, the new law aims to eliminate the overfishing and depletion of natural fish populations that have suffered in the past from short-sighted political and economic decisions.

“We’re encouraged by the overall direction proposed by the council,” said Lee Crockett, director of Federal Fisheries Policy at the Pew Environment Group. “This document suggests that the council is serious about meeting its obligations to comply with the new congressional mandate.”

The Natural Resource Defense Council, Environment America and the Marine Fish Conservation Network have also submitted comments backing the council as it works to faithfully implement the new rules to end overfishing.

“We urge the council to follow through on the promise of this document,” said Crockett. “We look forward to working with the regional fishery managers to help rebuild fish populations so that fishermen and coastal communities can once again enjoy the economic and ecological benefits of healthy oceans.”

To read Pew’s comments on the framework document, go to http://endoverfishing.org/resources/PEG_Mid-Atlantic_Scoping_Comment_Letter_5-29-09.pdf.

The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental organization that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civil life.

SOURCE Pew Environment Group