| Pew Environment Group ad: "Don't Take the Bait!" |
| Posted by Science Magazine on November 25 2009 |
Pew Environment Group ad in Science magazine aims to reach NMFS decision-makers, scientists and lawyers about herring fishery issue  The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will once again find itself in a determining role with our nation’s premier fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA). This agency is responsible for implementing the law as it was intended by Congress, however it is now being pressured to ignore the law by the fishing industry. The MSA states that in determining annual catch limits for fisheries, managers must use the best available scientific guidance provided by the Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC)of the regional fishery management councils. No matter how each council votes,the ultimate decision remains with NMFS. The playing field for this next determination is New England and the Atlantic herring fishery management plan, and the final decision that NMFS in Washington makes will be watched closely by other councils around the country and could eventually indicate whether these types of threats to the MSA will undermine NMFS being able to implement the law as intended. Pew Environment Group placed an ad in Science magazine to reach NMFS decision-makers,scientists and lawyers. The New England Fishery Management Council’s SSC gave three options to the council for the 2010-2012 herring catch: 90,000 metric tons (mt), 106,000 mt and 108,000 mt. The council stayed within there commendations of its SSC by choosing 106,000 mt, which Pew Environment Group supports. |
Read a letter from Dr. Jane Lubchenco
