Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries
256 Figueroa Street #1, Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 373-5238
www.alliancefisheries.com

 

I also think a fundamental problem here is that the public and perhaps you SAC members as well, simply do not understand how fishery management and ecosystem protection work particularly in the Fishery Management Council process.  As you may know, I was nominated by Governor Schwarzenegger and approved by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to represent California on the Pacific Fishery Management Council, although I’m not representing the Council today.  I won’t go into all the Council’s methods, but I will point out two significant facts:

·         First, the Councils and NOAA fisheries have been tasked to adopt ecosystem based management for our resource management.  This came about over many years from the scientists who work on these issues, understanding that there are broader biological relationships between species than just the life history of individual species.  The NOAA Strategic Plan adopted a couple of years ago specifically directs all NOAA agencies to utilize ecosystem-based management.  And lastly, the recent revision of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act specifically directs ecosystem-based management to be done.  So the Sanctuary is not the only agency charged with keeping an eye on the health of the ecosystem. 

·         The second major thing for you to know is that these fishery management councils, and in particular the Pacific Council, has a well-represented and competent science committee to advise on resource management.  In fact, the newest re-authorization of the Magnuson Act requires Councils nation-wide to heed the advice of their science committees.

 

So, we have a situation where Congress, by unanimous vote, has just stated that personal opinions and interests are not enough in marine resource management, and that these decisions must be based on the best available and peer-reviewed science.

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