Speak For The Fish!

An Urgent Message from the National Marine Committee of the Sierra Club

Fish are not fuzzy or cute, but they are vital wildlife. An appalling 45% of all fish species are overfished and decreasing or severely depleted. The Magnuson Act to conserve and manage fisheries has not prevented collapse in fish numbers. Fish are a public resource that belong to us all and must be cared for wisely. Healthy, stable fish populations provide protein for our tables and jobs for fishers, inspire countless hours of recreation - and, most importantly, create a diverse, stable, ocean ecosystem.

This year the Magnuson Act is up for renewal by Congress, providing opportunity for changes to halt more fish decline, and help depleted populations rise. To propose strong amendments, Sierra Club has joined with the Marine Fish Conservation Network of 32 conservation organizations. The '76 law "requires too little and comes too late" to save fish stocks. Our input to key legislators now could strengthen their resolve to craft more effective law this year.

When Congress passed the Magnuson Act to "conserve and manage fisheries" in 1976, the aim was to stop foreign boats overfishing in the US 200 mile zone - and this worked. Now, it's our own commercial fishers who are depleting the fish. Too many commercial fishing boats with highly sophisticated fishing gear that indiscriminately "mine" sea life, are killing off the fisheries on which we all depend. A new Magnuson Act must expressly prohibit overfishing, no exceptions allowed.

Now, as bills are being written, is the best time TO SPEAK FOR THE FISH. Commercial fishers are bringing on their own extinction - some realize this, some don't. Our most important commercial and sport fisheries are in dire need of stock rebuilding which require major programs. Help legislators find the "political will" to vote for effective conservation changes. It is vital that conservation voices speak out now urging change in '94.

Your letters can make a difference! Tell these decision-makers: "Make prevention of overfishing your top priority . Compel fishery managers to stop overfishing and begin now to effectively rebuild over-fished populations."

Write to as many of the following Senators and Congress People as you can:

Senator Ernest Hollings, Senator John Kerry, Senator Ted Stevens, Senator John Danforth - with a copy to Senator Barbara Boxer, and Senator Dianne Feinstein. (Address: US Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510)

Representative Gerry Studds, Representative Thomas Manton, Representative Don Young - with a copy to Representative Dan Hamburg. (Address: U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515).

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Last Update: 12/21/98