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Transcript of MFCN Winter 2007
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In this Issue...
Vol. 12, Issue 1
March 2007
Letter from the
Executive Director
Federal Government
Receives B+ on
Fisheries
New Developments
at the Network
New Network
Member
Pacific Update
Gulf of Mexico
Update
Mid-Atlantic
Update
South Atlantic
Update
Calendar
2
3
4-5
5
6
6
7
7
8
President Signs Magnuson-Stevens Act
N et w or k N ew sN et w or k N ew sN et w or k N ew sN et w or k N ew sN et w or k N ew s
~~~~~~
The Marine Fish
Conservation Network(Network) is a coalition of
more than 190 environmental
organizations, commercial
and recreational fishing
associations, and marine
science groups that advocates
national policies to achieve
healthy oceans and
productive fisheries. Please
visit:
www.conservefish.org
In early December 2006, the last hours of the 109th
Congress saw the passage of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Reauthorization Act of 2006. The President
signed the bill into law on January 12 th, finalizing
reauthorization of the MSA, which increases
protections for fishermen, ocean wildlife, and
marine environments around the country.
The Network would like to thank Congress,particularly Senators Stevens and Inouye,
Representatives Rahall, Allen, and Farr, and their
staff for all of their hard work on the legislation.
The Network also thanks President Bush for his
strong stance against overfishing throughout the
process.
One of the most important improvements in the
law is the provision that requires an end to
overfishing on depleted fish populations within
two years. Another significant provision
requires Science and Statistical Committees to
provide regional fishery management councils
with scientific recommendations for setting
fishing levels and for the councils to follow the
recommendations. The law also established a
Fishery Management and Conservation Trust
Fund to provide financial assistance to fisherme
and improve fishery data.
While the reauthorization makes important
improvements to current fisheries law, it fallsshort of including some of the key
recommendations from the U.S. Commission on
Ocean Policy. For example, there are no specific
measures to broaden council representation to
include more members of the public.
The true test of the laws value lies with its
implementation. Congress has made important
strides toward responsible management on
paper; now, the National Marine Fisheries Servi
(NMFS) needs to take action to effectively
implement those improvements. NMFS should
(continued on page
White House photo by Paul Mo
President George W. Bush prepares to sign H.R. 5946, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Manageme
Reauthorization Act of 2006, Friday, Jan. 12, 2007 in the Oval Office at the White House. President Bush is joined
by, from left, Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, Sen. Olympia Snow of Maine, Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia., Rep. Jim
Saxton of New Jersey, Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, Rep. Don Young of Alaska, U.S. Commerce Secretary Car
Gutierrez, and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland.
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A Letter from the Executive Director
2
MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK
MARINE FISH CON SERVATION N ETWORK
Yours for the fish and fishermen,
Lee R. Crockett
take this bill as a clear message from Congress and from President
Bush that our oceans and the people who depend on them require
better management of our ocean fisheries.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act can only be as strong as the support it
is given. One of the weakest links in that support is funding. The
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (JOCI) issued a report card which
gave the federal government an F for new funding for ocean policy
and programs. The sobering report card explains how chronic
underinvestment has left much of our ocean-related infrastructure
in woefully poor condition, management programs struggling to
meet the information demands of decision makers, [and] ocean
scientists competing for a smaller percentage of the federal research
budget. (For more information on the JOCI report card, see article,
page 3).
In the waning hours of the 109th Congress, lawmakers passed the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This represented a lot of
hard work by Senators Stevens and Inouye, Representatives Rahall, Allen, and Farr, and their staffs. When the Network was asked our
opinion of the final bill prior to passage, we were torn. While the bill contained important new conservation requirements, it did little to
implement many of the fisheries management reforms that we had championed for so long. Many Network members wanted to continueworking for many of these reforms with a new Congress. After much discussion, we decided to not take a position for or against the bill.
As we have studied the legislation, we recognize there is plenty to like.
First and foremost, the final bill did not contain any of the provisions advocated by former Representative Richard Pombo to exempt
Magnuson-Stevens Act actions from coverage under NEPA or the rebuilding requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Add to that
new requirements to establish annual science-based catch limits that prevent overfishing and new requirements to end overfishing on
depleted fish populations within two years, and the bill solidly advances conservation. Finally, the bill contains a detailed set of standard
for limited access privilege programs (LAPPs) to help enhance conservation and protect fishermen and fishing communities. These
protections are necessary because poorly designed LAPPs, like the recently established Bering Sea and Aleutian Island crab fishery, can
devastate fishing communities. In that crab fishery more than 1000 people lost their jobs, and bycatch actually increased. Thanks to the
hard work of Representative Allen and Rahall, Congress created protections to help ensure that these problems are not replicated in other
fisheries.
But passing a law is only half the battle. NMFS must now implement it. Preliminary indications regarding the NEPA and catch limit
requirements are very encouraging. The news for LAPPs is not as good. Even though the bill contains 22 pages of language describing
how LAPPs should be established and conducted, amazingly NMFS has no plans to write regulations. Instead, NMFS plans to release a
report describing implementation options. Given the amount of effort that Congress put into the LAPP standards, its clear that Congress
intended for these standards to be put into practice. We will be working closely with Congress to encourage NMFS to develop LAPP
regulations.
So, while weve finished one chapter of the Magnuson book, another is just beginning. Lets hope that this chapter also has a happy
ending.
Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorized at Last
President Sign MSA (continued)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced
on February 8 that the agency requested a total budget of $3.8
billion, which is an increase of 3.4 percent from the Administration
2007 request. Despite the additional funds, Admiral James D.Watkins, co-chair of the JOCI, stated that, I dont think anybody
should be misled that thats enough to solve our problem. Of
NOAAs total budget, $17.1 million is dedicated to implementation
of the revised Magnuson-Stevens Act.
A portion of this funding should be used for improving scientific
data used in fishery management decisions. Some fishermen
currently object to following scientific recommendations because
they believe these recommendations are based on old or less than
comprehensive data. Increased funding will give Science and
(continued on page
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MARINE FISH CON SERVATION N ETWORK
Federal Government Earns B+ for Fisheries Management
3
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (JOCI) issued
its U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card in January of 2007,
giving the federal government a B+ for fisheries
management reform. This relatively high grade,
which is an improvement on last years C+, is largely
a result of the successful reauthorization of theMagnuson-Stevens Act. The report card cites some
of the successes manifest in the reauthorization,
including stronger roles for science in the
management process and more clarity and rigor in the
deadlines for ending overfishing. These
improvements, though refreshing and long awaited,
should not overshadow some of the gaps in the
Magnuson-Stevens Acts conservation provisions.
While the B+ is encouraging, the government should
strive for a higher mark by adopting more of the
recommendations of the JOCI.
Now that the Magnuson-Stevens Act has beenreauthorized, the Network is calling on the National
Marine Fisheries Service to effectively implement
robust regulations so that the laws intent will be
realized. The federal government must also produce
a healthy budget to implement these regulations.
The JOCI report card gave the government an F in
the area of new funding for ocean policy and
programs. This grade is indicative of the federal
governments abysmal record of financial support for
sea programs. The Network is encouraging
Congress to designate the necessary fiscal resources
for MSA implementation and enforcement. Without
wind in its sails, this ship cannot embark.
Statistical Committees updated data to make informed and
responsible decisions about the various ecosystems and fish
populations for which they are responsible.
The Network plans to take advantage of the various opportunities
in the NMFS implementation process to provide recommendations
about the new fishery regulations. Specifically, the Network will
work with NMFS as it develops regulations for National Standard 1
of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which mandates against
overfishing, and for complying with the National Environmental
Policy Act. The Network will also be pushing for regulations for
limited access privilege programs (LAPPs). The failure to set strong
regulations for LAPPs would allow councils to implement programs
that could ultimately hurt fishermen and the fish populations on
which they rely.
We encourage NMFS to create regulations that clearly require
regional councils to follow the spirit of the law and maintain
sustainable fisheries. The Network plans to participate in listenin
sessions and public hearings, and we will also encourage Congreto hold oversight hearings if federal fishery managers do not fully
implement the law in a timely manner.
The Presidents signing of this important law was an occasion for
celebration, but federal fishery managers have much work left to d
The Network looks forward to working with NMFS and the region
councils to successfully implement the revised Magnuson-Steven
Act in order to move our ocean fisheries toward a healthier and
more sustainable future.
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MARINE FISH CON SERVATION N ETWORK
4
New Developments at the Network
The Board of DirectorsThe Board of Directors is directly responsible for hiring the Executive Director. It also manages the financial and operational dynamics of
the Marine Fish Conservation Network. We would like to celebrate the recent additions to our Board of Directors:
On the heels of the recent reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, we are proud to announce some exciting new developments at
the Marine Fish Conservation Network. The Network recently announced its new status as an independent non-profit, complete with a
newly elected Board of Directors, a new mission statement, and a new logo. We also introduced our new initiatives now that the
Magnuson-Stevens Act has been reauthorized, namely a dedicated campaign to ensure that the new law is fully implemented and a
collaboration with the National Coalition for Marine Conservation on its new Forage First! initiative to move fisheries management
toward an ecosystem-based approach. The Network is also proud to announce an important partnership with the conservation-mindedapparel retailer, Patagonia.
The New Logo and Mission StatementPatagonia designed our new Network logo. The Network had been
looking for a symbol that would better reflect our intent to protect
our oceans and to support the fishermen and other people who
depend upon them. We are thrilled to introduce our new logo, and
we thank Patagonia for its bold and creative design that better
reflects the Networks mission.
The Network is also unveiling its new mission statement:The Marine Fish Conservation Network
advocates national policies to achieve healthy oceans and productive fisheries.
Jay Nelson, Pew Charitable Trusts (President of the Network
Board of Directors) Jay Nelson is employed with the Pew
Charitable Trusts as director of the Ocean Legacy Project, an effortto protect large ocean ecosystems. He was previously Oceanas
Vice President for North American Oceans and prior to that was a
program officer with the Pew Charitable Trusts responsible for their
marine conservation portfolio. Jay was also working on contract to
the Regional Marine Conservation Project to achieve permanent
and full protection of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, which were
recently designated as a national monument. This designation is a
historic conservation success and a point of pride for the Bush
Administration and the many, including Jay, who helped make it
possible.
Michelle Pilliod, Pilliod Meeting Planning Michelle has owned
and operated her full-service, strategic planning and incentives
company, Pilliod Meeting Planning, for the past fourteen years. She
provides custom, professional meeting designs for an impressively
diverse clientele. She was honored in 2000 as the Marriot
Corporations Meeting Planner of the Year and was the company
keynote speaker the annual Marriott TQM meeting in Cancun,
Mexico. She has published articles in meeting and planning trade
magazines, and she regularly coaches seminars at companies with
in-house conference planning departments on how to plan and
execute effective and budget-friendly meetings and incentive
programs.
Gerald Leape, National Environmental Trust (Co-Chair of the
Network) In addition to Co-Chairing the Network, Gerry serves a
Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Antarctic and SouthernOcean Coalition. He is vice president of the Marine Conservation
program at the National Environmental Trust (NET) and prior to
that, he was primary spokesperson for whale and fisheries issues
Greenpeace U.S.A. Gerry has been involved in politics, fundraisin
and advocacy for twenty-three years.
Peter Huhtala, Pacific Marine Conservation Council (Co-Chair o
the Network) A native of Astoria, Oregon, Peter Huhtala is Senio
Policy Director for Pacific Marine Conservation Council (PMCC), a
West Coast non-profit organization that advocates for sustainable
fisheries and a healthy marine environment. Peter coordinates
PMCCs directed work with state and federal managers, legislators
and allied groups. He is an active member of the board of advisors
for Columbia Riverkeeper, where he previously served as presiden
Peter has strong ties to the West Coast fishing community and is
well-known for his voracious advocacy on behalf of estuary and
marine environments. He somehow finds time to write songs,
perform, and record.
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MARINE FISH CON SERVATION N ETWORK
5
A Partnership with PatagoniaAs a part of our commitment to ensuring a future for Americas fish and
fishermen, the Network has entered into a partnership with Patagonia, a
clothing retailer renowned for its dedication to conservation-oriented causes.
Patagonia periodically launches environmental campaigns to raise awareness
of threats to our wild landscapes; the companys 2006-7 Oceans as Wilderness campaign focuses on the plight of the oceans. Patagonhas also pledged its support for the Networks grassroots fundraising efforts by contributing a generous grant. In January 2007, Patagon
unveiled its Oceans as Wilderness II T-shirt in its catalogues and on its Web site that features an ocean-themed design. Five dollars
from the sale of each T-shirt will be donated to the Network. The Patagonia Oceans as Wilderness Web page can be found at http://
www.patagonia.com/oceans.
New InitiativesMSA Implementation
After the passage of the 1996 Sustainable Fisheries Act, the Network disbanded, believing its work was done. Less than two years later,
the Network was re-established when its founders realized that effective implementation of the law was a conspicuous problem and
challenge. We have learned our lesson, and with this years reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, we will continue to work with
federal fishery managers to ensure that they properly and rigorously implement the law. We call on the National Marine Fisheries Service
to enact strong regulations to protect our fish stocks. We are also calling on the Congress to dedicate more funding to our oceans so thathe financial resources are in place to make certain that the spirit of the Magnuson-Stevens Act is realized.
Forage Fish Initiative
The Network is joining with the National Coalition for Marine Conservation in a national campaign to protect the ocean forage base, as pa
of the push for an ecosystem-based approach to managing the nations fisheries. Recent reports released by the Pew Oceans Commissio
and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy have indicated that exclusive, individual species-oriented approaches to fisheries management
and stock rebuilding efforts are not effective for protecting our oceans in the long-term. Instead, fisheries managers must account for the
entire ecosystem in their management decisions. Forage, or prey, species in our oceans, such as krill, sardines, and menhaden, are the ma
food sources for the fish we find on our dinner tables. In other words, they are the nuts and bolts of marine ecosystems, and it is
imperative to preserve their abundant levels. Protecting the ocean forage base is a first step toward this ecosystem-based approach
because it calls for managing forage fish for the benefit of the entire ecosystem as well as the needs of human consumption.
Oregon Ocean
5151 NW Cornell Road
Portland, OR 97210
Oregon Ocean is a statewide alliance promoting the protection
and restoration of marine life and habitat for a healthy ocean,
thriving communities, and our childrens future.
Welcome New Network Member
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MARINE FISH CON SERVATION N ETWORK
6
Pacific Update
Gulf of Mexico Update
Overfishing on yellowfin tuna
The Pacific Council manages five
tuna species. Only one, north Pacific
albacore, has significant (greater
than 10 percent of Pacific-wide total)
catches in the councils jurisdiction.
In December 2004, NMFS notified
the council that bigeye tuna wasexperiencing overfishing, triggering a
one-year timeframe for the council to
end overfishing on the stock.
Nevertheless, the council took two
years to take action to end
overfishing. Unfortunately, the council has another opportunity to
meet the one-year requirement to end overfishing on a tuna
species; NMFS notified the council in October 2006 that yellowfin
tuna is experiencing overfishing. Previously, the council and NMFS
claimed that they did not know whether yellowfin tuna was
experiencing overfishing because they did not have reference
points to make such a determination.
Council pushes forward on plans for increasing fishing on
populations experiencing overfishing
In November 2006, the council voted to proceed with required
analyses necessary to allow a new pelagic longline fishery for
swordfish, bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, and albacore tuna despite the
likelihood of catching endangered sea turtles and despite evidence
showing that bigeye and albacore tuna are experiencing
overfishing.
Council moves toward ecosystem-based management?
The council directed its habitat committee and a sub-committee of
its scientific and statistical committee to undertake a literature
review of ecosystem-based fishery management efforts. The
committees completed the task and requested permission from the
council to meet again to make recommendations to the council onthe utility of pursuing an umbrella fishery ecosystem plan that
would support existing fishery management plans. The council
approved the request. In its final newsletter of 2006, the council
declared its intention to develop a fishery ecosystem plan that
would not change any of the single species fishery management
plans in place, but act as an umbrella to inform those single-specie
plans.
Council rejects proposals to reduce bycatch in groundfish fisher
The council rejected a proposal to allow groundfish trawl permit
holders to switch from high-bycatch trawl gear to low-bycatch fixe
gear (hook and line gear). The decision amplifies the councils
earlier decision to approve a bycatch reduction plan that doesnothing to reduce bycatch immediately and presupposes success
based on development of an IFQ program. The Magnuson-Steve
Act requires councils to minimize bycatch to the extent practicable
Despite multiple past and present practical proposals to minimize
bycatch, the council insists on forcing fishermen to continue to u
this highest-bycatch gear on its most valuable fishery.
Red snapper
The existing rebuilding plan for red
snapper calls for ending overfishing
between 2009 and 2010. In order to
meet this goal, NMFS is projecting
much lower annual quotas for red
snapper for the next three years in
order to meet the Gulf Councils
rebuilding goal of 2032.
NMFS proposed two scenarios.
One scenario reduces the amount of
red snapper killed in shrimp trawls
by 50 percent compared to the amount killed between 2001 and
2003. Under this scenario, the annual quota between 2008 and 2010
should be set no higher than 2.8 to 3.3 million pounds. Forcomparison, in 2006 the annual quota for recreational and
commercial fishermen was 9.12 million pounds. In 2032, when the
stock is rebuilt, fishermen will be able to catch 10.2 million pounds
annually.
The second scenario is tougher on shrimpers and realizes higher
catches for recreational and commercial fishermen in the short-term
and the long-term. By reducing the amount of red snapper killed in
shrimp trawls by 74 percent, the annual quota for red snapper
fishermen can be set no higher than 4.5 to 5.3 million pounds for
2008 through 2010. In the long-term, annual catches improve in this
scenario from 10.2 million pounds to 17.2 million pounds when the
red snapper population is fully rebuilt in 2032.
Neither of these scenarios is promising in the short-term for
fishermen, but short-term thinking is exactly what put the GulfCouncil in the current situation. Remember, when the Gulf Counci
developed the existing rebuilding plan for red snapper, it did not s
the annual quota in line with scientific recommendations. Instead
the Gulf Council set the annual quota 50 percent higher than
recommended in the hopes that shrimp trawl bycatch would go
down due to the economic hardships on that fishery. As one Gulf
Council member said during the January meeting, you pay now o
you pay later. This is clearly the case.
Limited access privilege programs
On January 1, 2007, commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico go
their first taste of a new management scheme known as a limitedaccess privilege program (LAPP), or specifically, an individual
fishing quota (IFQ) program, which is the most common type of
LAPP. LAPPs allocate a set percentage of the total annual quota
for a population of fish exclusively to individuals or businesses as
quota shares. The LAPP designed by the Gulf Council and
approved by NMFS will give fishermen exclusive privileges to cat
and sell a percentage of the red snapper total allowable catch.
In addition, the Gulf Council has asked the commercial grouper fle
to come up with recommendations for creating a grouper LAPP by
the March council meeting.
Photo: NOAA
Photo: NOAA
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7
MARINE FISH CON SERVATION N ETWORK
Mid-Atlantic Update
South Atlantic Update
Summer flounder
recreational measures set
for 2007
At the December Mid-
Atlantic Fishery
Management Council
meeting, the council voted
to support the MonitoringCommittees
recommendation to manage
summer flounder using
conservation equivalency. Conservation equivalency is a state
regime that allows states to determine bag limits, minimum size, and
seasons. The measures will be based on a 17.1 million pound
landing level between the recreational and commercial sectors.
Following the recent reauthorization of the MSA, which extends the
summer flounder rebuilding deadline by three years to 2013, NMFS
issued an emergency rule to increase the landings to 17.1 million
pounds. Under the new rule, recreational anglers can now land up
to 6.8 million pounds.
Rebuilding butterfish
In 2005, NMFS designated butterfish as overfished. This distinction
is mainly due to bycatch in the Loligo squid fishery. Over the past
twenty years, butterfish discards averaged between 17.6 million
pounds to 22 million pounds annually. In an effort to restore the
population to full health, the council is developing alternative
measures to rebuild butterfish. One of the most effective
recommendations, however, is being ignored. Increasing the mesh
size in the Loligo fishery would allow more butterfish to escape, b
it would lower the amount of Loligo caught.
Instead, the council is leaning toward a rebuilding plan that will ca
landings at current levels with no directed butterfish fishery in
years one through three. The council will consider other measure
in the remaining years, including but not limited to: 1) butterfishbycatch cap by trimester which will close the Loligo fishery when
the cap is exceeded; 2) no discard rules in high discard areas (to
discourage fishing in those areas); 3) tradable bycatch quota; 4)
variable trip limits based on minimum cod end mesh size; and 5)
designation of clean fishing windows where minimal butterfish
bycatch can be demonstrated. Given current trends, there is a
distinct possibility that butterfish recruitment will continue to lag
even with the proposed management measures in place. The
councils unwillingness to restore the stock sooner may result in
more draconian reductions later, hurting fish and fishermen.
NMFS director bites at regional circle hook workshop
Director of NMFS, Dr. Bill Hogarth, has accepted the Mid-AtlanticCouncils offer to collaborate with NMFS on a workshop to
introduce a voluntary program encouraging a greater use of circle
hooks in the recreational fishery. Based on previous discussions,
the fisheries participating in the program may include: summer
flounder, scup, bluefish, and tilefish. The workshop will be held
some time in mid-2007, pending Congressional budget approval.
Photo: Carl Safina
Photo: NOAA
Limited access privilege programs
The South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council is considering
the development of a limited access
privilege program (LAPP) in the
commercial snapper grouper fishery
as a way to reduce capacity and
address chronic overfishing. In
January 2007, the Controlled Access
Committee met to discuss preliminary
steps, as well as potential goals,
challenges, and benefits of such a
program. The committee made
nominations for membership of a Controlled Access Steering
Committee, which under current design would be a workgroup
consisting of various and wide-ranging fishing interests from allfour states in the South Atlantic, as well as one environmental
representative, most likely from Environmental Defense. The
workgroup would also potentially include non-voting members, one
from the recreational fishing sector, and one to two from the NMFS
and from Sea Grant.
Rebuilding plans
The council took the advice of the Science and Statistical
Committee and added in estimates of bycatch mortality (the
incidental catching and killing of marine life while targeting other
species) to the calculations of fishing levels necessary for
rebuilding snowy grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy, all of
which are overfished. Adding bycatch mortality will allow more
accurate estimates of fishing mortality, which will increase the
probability of rebuilding. However, the council also approved a
provision that would allow for up to 20 percent of the allowed catcto be carried over into the next year if it is not caught in the first
year. Allowing these underages can damage already depleted
populations that need enough undisturbed individuals to
reproduce. An underage may also indicate that fish population is
more diminished than originally thought. The council is schedule
to approve the amendment containing these rebuilding plans at its
June 2007 meeting, followed by a suite of public hearings.
Mackerel
In a preventative step to protect king and Spanish mackerel from
overfishing, the council approved a new amendment to the Coasta
Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan that reduces thequota or total allowable catch (TAC) for both species. This
amendment will go through public hearings in early 2007.
Gag grouper
The council determined that the recent SEDAR (Southeast Data,
Assessment, and Review) stock assessment, which found gag
grouper to be in critical danger of becoming overfished, has
significant errors and must be redone. The new assessment shou
be available in February, with review and possible action taken in
June of 2007.
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MarineFishConservationNetwork
00PennsylvaniaAvenue,SE,Suite210
Washington,DC20003
ww.conservefish.org
hone:202-543-5509
ax:202-543-5774
MARINE FISH CON SERVATION NETWORK
...To Achieve Healthy Oceans and Productive Fisheries.
Calendar of Events
FEBRUARY
February 20-22
Ad Hoc Groundfish Trawl
Individual Quota Committee
Meeting
Portland, Oregon
http://www.council.org/
MARCH
March 4-9
Pacific Fishery Management
Council Meeting
Sacramento, California
http://www.pcouncil.org/
March 5-9
South Atlantic Fishery Management
Council Meeting
Jekyll Island, Georgiahttp://www.safmc.net/
March 13-16
Western Pacific Fishery
Management Council Meeting
Honolulu, Hawaii
http://www. wpcouncil.org/
March 20-21
Caribbean Fishery Management
Council Meeting
Ponce, Puerto Rico
http://www.caribbeanfmc.com/
March 26-30
Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council Meeting
Destin, Florida
http://www.gulfcouncil.org/
March 26-30
North Pacific Fishery
Management Council Meeting
Anchorage, Alaska
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/
APRIL
April 1-6
Pacific Fishery Management
Council Meeting
Seattle, Washington
http://www.pcouncil.org/
April 10-12
New England Fishery Management
Council Meeting
Mystic, Connecticut
http://www.nefmc.org/
April 17-19
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council Meeting
Ocean City, Maryland
http://www.mafmc.org/
JUNE
June 2-9
National Fishing and Boating Week
June 4-8
Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council MeetingNew Orleans, Louisiana
http://www.gulfcouncil.org/
June 4-12
North Pacific Fishery Manageme
Council Meeting
Sitka, Alaska
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/
June 10-15
Pacific Fishery Management
Council Meeting
Foster City, California
http://www.pcouncil.org/
June 11-15
South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council Meeting
Key West, Florida
http://safmc.net/
June 18-21
Western Pacific Fisheries
Management Council Meeting
TBA
http://www.wpcouncil.org/