Annual Catch Limits for Fishermen Must Lead to Renewed Focus on Effective Fisheries Management

Contact:
Colin Durrant
Director of Communications
(617)850-1722

Portland, ME (January 16, 2009) – In a step toward meeting a 2010 federal mandate to end overfishing, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) today finalized revised guidelines for the establishment of annual catch limits for New England and other U.S. fishermen. Sean Mahoney, Vice President and Maine Director of the Conservation Law Foundation today issued the following statements in response to the new rule.

>> On the importance of catch limits:

Setting annual catch limits and identifying meaningful accountability measures to enforce those limits is a critical step toward ending overfishing, restoring ocean health, and building a sustainable future for our coastal communities. Where catch limits have been based on sound science and an open, transparent process, there is a proven track record of recovery for threatened fish species, like cod and haddock.”

On successful implementation of catch limits:

The success of fishing catch limits depends heavily on effective implementation and enforcement. The rule announced today provides stronger guidance to the regional fishery management councils on the setting of annual catch limits; however, the Obama Administration must give NMFS the adequate resources to implement catch limits and a strong mandate to ensure that fishery management councils strictly adhere to them.”

>> On the long-term solutions needed to ensure a health future for the ocean and coastal communities:

Combined with the interim fishing restrictions announced earlier this week, these new national guidelines should be a clarion call for state, regional and federal fishery managers, fishermen, ocean advocates and elected officials to work together to bring about fundamental changes in how we manage New England’s fishing resources. Failure to act in a thoughtful, responsible and creative manner will doom any hope of restoring our magnificent marine resources and ensuring the survival of New England ’s fishing communities. ”

The Conservation Law Foundation (www.clf.org) works to solve the most significant environmental challenges facing New England . CLF’s advocates use law, economics and science to create innovate strategies to conserve natural resources, protect public health and promote vital communities in our region. Founded, in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with offices in Maine , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Rhode Island and Vermont .