NOAA Fisheries has begun the process to end overfishing in U.S. waters by 2010, as mandated by the newly reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The law requires all fishers to be regulated under annual catch limits, with accountability measures to ensure catches remain within the limit. It also elevates the importance of following scientific advice in making fishery management decisions.
The public is invited to make suggestions and comments on how the United States can meet the law's new requirements. Written comments can be e-mailed to: annual.catch.limitDEIS@noaa.gov or faxed to 301-713-1193 by April 2.
Here's the NOAA press release:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter...se%20FINAL.pdf