Federal Agency Fully Withdraws Proposal to Allow Overfishing

Proposal would have allowed overfishing and delayed restoration of depleted fish populations

WASHINGTON - The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced at a meeting with the Marine Fish Conservation Network on February 2nd that it will withdraw a proposal to weaken key regulations that prevent overfishing and restore depleted ocean fish populations. Earlier in the year, NMFS had announced that it would not finalize the proposed changes to the National Standard 1 guidelines, but instead develop an environmental impact statement to address the concerns raised by conservation groups, commercial and recreational fishing associations, marine scientists and over 250,000 U.S. citizens who submitted comments on NMFS' proposal, the vast majority in opposition. NMFS has now decided to wait for Congress to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the nation's main ocean fisheries law, before taking any further action.

"It's clear that the American public and key U.S. Senators strongly oppose overfishing, and NMFS' action indicates it heard that message loud and clear," said Lee Crockett, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network. "Had this proposal moved forward, fishery managers could have allowed continued overfishing on depleted fish populations and delayed restoration efforts for years."

Instrumental in the proposal's demise were Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI), who introduced legislation in November to reauthorize the nation's fishery law. Their bill did not include the statutory changes that would have allowed NMFS' proposed regulations to conform to the law. Senators Stevens and Inouye's bill also called for annual catch limits with accountability for overages and a greater reliance on scientific data when setting those limits, both of which the Network strongly supports.

"Senators Stevens and Inouye have it right, and Representative Pombo should follow their lead," said Bob Strickland, president of the United Anglers of California. The Resources Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, led by U.S. Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA), is set to consider legislation to reauthorize the nation's fishery law early this year.

Strickland added, "Legislators need to know that retaining the current law to prevent overfishing and restore depleted populations is critical to maintaining opportunities for recreational fishermen."

Recent research published in the journal Science demonstrated that the NMFS proposal would threaten proven and successful rules designed to prevent overfishing and restore overfished species, ultimately eroding the health of America's fish and diminishing fishing opportunities.

"Responsible management of our fisheries means taking immediate action to stop overfishing and to rebuild depleted fish populations. Any proposals that delay action or take no action at all jeopardize the resource that our businesses and our communities depend on," said Peter Baker, campaign director for the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association.