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

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

Dave Bard of Pew Environment Group, +1-202-486-4426