Oceana Diver
Guest
They said it couldnt be done
Congratulations and thank you to the thousands of you who helped make deep-sea coral research and protection the law of the land (and the sea).
Late Friday night, in Congress last hours before the holidays and a new majority, the House passed a bill reauthorizing and updating the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the key legislation governing our nations fisheries.
One major benefit is the bills recognition of the importance of deep-sea coral and sponge habitat to healthy fisheries and oceans. The renewed MSA calls for increased research for deep-sea coral reefs and gives regional fishery management councils the authority to protect them from destructive fishing practices. Thats cause for real celebration!
We and Congress -- couldnt have done it without you, so give yourself a round of applause, a pat on the back, personal kudos For a bit more about the bill see the CEOs Note that Oceanas president sent out yesterday and that we have attached below.
For the oceans,
Oceanas Stop Destructive Trawling Campaign
Dear Friends:
The world's oceans received good news and bad news early Saturday morning in Washington with the passage of a new Magnuson-Stevens Act - the act that governs America's fisheries.
First, the good news: the legislation significantly improves the protection of deep-sea corals and sponges from bottom trawling and other destructive fishing gear. Fisheries management councils now have the authority to close areas to protect deep sea corals without first proving that the areas are Essential Fish Habitat, a very difficult process. Also, scientist will now have a greater role in setting allowable catch limits in all US fisheries. Other improvements include the provisions to address overfishing and a new emphasis on international issues.
Now, the bad news: the bill weakens the role of the public in managing its marine resources by raising barriers to the public's access to data. It also strengthens policies to privatize our fisheries without mandating conservation standards to maintain healthy oceans.
Fundamentally, this bill as passed makes only incremental changes to the existing Magnuson-Stevens Act despite calls from two commissions and the scientific community that drastic changes are needed to truly protect and manage ocean ecosystems. Clearly, our work is not done, and Oceana will continue to push Congress to ensure that stronger legislation is introduced to protect US oceans and ocean resources.
Sincerely,
Andrew Sharpless
Chief Executive Officer
Late Friday night, in Congress last hours before the holidays and a new majority, the House passed a bill reauthorizing and updating the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the key legislation governing our nations fisheries.
One major benefit is the bills recognition of the importance of deep-sea coral and sponge habitat to healthy fisheries and oceans. The renewed MSA calls for increased research for deep-sea coral reefs and gives regional fishery management councils the authority to protect them from destructive fishing practices. Thats cause for real celebration!
We and Congress -- couldnt have done it without you, so give yourself a round of applause, a pat on the back, personal kudos For a bit more about the bill see the CEOs Note that Oceanas president sent out yesterday and that we have attached below.
For the oceans,
Oceanas Stop Destructive Trawling Campaign
Dear Friends:
The world's oceans received good news and bad news early Saturday morning in Washington with the passage of a new Magnuson-Stevens Act - the act that governs America's fisheries.
First, the good news: the legislation significantly improves the protection of deep-sea corals and sponges from bottom trawling and other destructive fishing gear. Fisheries management councils now have the authority to close areas to protect deep sea corals without first proving that the areas are Essential Fish Habitat, a very difficult process. Also, scientist will now have a greater role in setting allowable catch limits in all US fisheries. Other improvements include the provisions to address overfishing and a new emphasis on international issues.
Now, the bad news: the bill weakens the role of the public in managing its marine resources by raising barriers to the public's access to data. It also strengthens policies to privatize our fisheries without mandating conservation standards to maintain healthy oceans.
Fundamentally, this bill as passed makes only incremental changes to the existing Magnuson-Stevens Act despite calls from two commissions and the scientific community that drastic changes are needed to truly protect and manage ocean ecosystems. Clearly, our work is not done, and Oceana will continue to push Congress to ensure that stronger legislation is introduced to protect US oceans and ocean resources.
Sincerely,
Andrew Sharpless
Chief Executive Officer
