Science Trumps Profits

Scientific experts agree: the oceans are in deep trouble. Unfortunately, oceans policy is currently in the hands of the fishing industry - a clear conflict of interest. In fact, 60 percent of the appointed fisheries council members have a direct financial interest in the fisheries they manage.

The good news is that we know what has to be done. We must start thinking about the ecosystem as a whole, instead of pretending that the amount of fish we catch has no connection to the rest of the food web. Representative Nick Rahall (WV) has introduced legislation that calls for science, not short-term profits, to be the driving force behind improving the management of our fisheries and marine ecosystems.

To date, 69 representatives have signed on to co-sponsor this bill. Is YOUR represenative onboard? Check here.

If so, be sure to thank them for doing the right thing.

If not, take action now!

Step 2: Read the letter we've provided. Feel free to edit it.

Dear Representative,

I am writing to urge you to support H.R. 1431, the Fisheries Science and Management Enhancement Act.  This legislation will significantly improve the management of our nation's ocean fish populations and ensure that our ocean ecosystems and fishing communities are healthy and sustainable.

The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, appointed by President Bush, concluded that, "Our failure to properly manage the human activities that affect the nation's oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes is compromising their ecological integrity, diminishing our ability to fully realize their potential, costing us jobs and revenue, threatening human health, and putting our future at risk."  The Commission went on to say that, "The message from both experts and the public alike was clear: our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes are in trouble and major changes are urgently needed in the way we manage them."

The Fisheries Science and Management Enhancement Act implements several key fishery management recommendations of the Commission and, if enacted, will help ensure healthy ocean fish populations and vibrant coastal economies by:

*Strengthening the use of science in fisheries management to ensure that the best possible science forms the basis for management decisions;
*Broadening the representation on fishery management councils to include members of the public;
*Significantly reducing financial conflicts of interest in the fishery management process to ensure that short-term economic considerations do not compromise marine ecosystems;
*Providing training for all new council members to give them the tools necessary to make informed management decisions; and
*Establishing a national cooperative research program to increase our knowledge of the health of our fish populations, and to better understand and minimize the impact of fishing on ocean wildlife.

These reforms are vital to ensure the long-term health of our nation's ocean ecosystems and fishing communities.  I urge you to support their enactment by cosponsoring H.R. 1431, the Fisheries Science and Management Enhancement Act of 2005.  To cosponsor the bill, or for more information, please have your staff contact Lori Sonken, House Resources Committee staff at (202) 226-2311.

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Science Trumps Profits

Step 2: Read the letter we've provided. Feel free to edit it.

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