Fish and Other Wildlife

What's New

Rep. Richard Pombo’s (Calif.) bill to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the primary law that regulates over-fishing in our oceans, passed the Resources Committee Wednesday, May 17 on a vote of 26-15. The bill would leave our oceans unprotected from destructive over-fishing. The Senate passed a better, though imperfect, bill to regulate fishing in the spring. Environment New Hampshire is working to strengthen both bills so that our oceans get the protections they deserve.

How You Can Help

Please call your representative and urge him or her to support amendments that would strengthen HR. 5018 (Pombo’s bill to reauthorize Magnuson-Stevens Act) by ending overfishing immediately, creating firm time limits for rebuilding depleted species, creating a system of accountability if overfishing does occur, and reforming the fishery management councils that manage our fisheries.

Brief Summary

Ocean ecosystems are vital, awe-inspiring and fragile. These tightly-knit, interdependent environments are vulnerable to over-fishing and habitat destruction from bottom trawling. Overfishing throws ecosystems out of balance and threatens the long term viability of people and communities that depend on fishing to survive. That’s why U.S.PIRG opposes powerful fishing interests who want to continue overfishing or use destructive bottom trawling gear.

Unfortunately, such reckless practices have already placed many fish species at the brink of survival. A recent report by the Marine Fish Conservation Network showed that only 13% of the hundreds of species that the federal government manages are known to be at healthy levels. Moreover, at least one-third of fish populations are now at less than 20 percent of their natural level.  Equipped with miles-long fishing nets and bottom-trawls that scrape the ocean floor of aquatic life, the worldwide fishing industry has caused some fish populations to virtually disappear in just a few years after fishing starts.

Environment New Hampshire is working to save our oceans from overfishing. We need to eliminate bottom-trawling, expand existing marine sanctuaries, and make sure fishing limits set by scientists, not boards stacked with fishing industry reps.

Our oceans comprise more than three-quarters of the earth’s surface. With the proper stewardship, we can restore vitality to these vast, treasured ecosystems.  We’re working hard to make sure Congress acts decisively before it’s too late.