Protect American Seas from Overfishing

Fishing is an American pastime. Millions of us, every year hit the docks and head to the seas with families and friends to catch the big one. And thanks to smart management, our government has ensured that this tradition will continue for decades to come.

That is, if our lawmakers don't mess it up. A new proposed law, the Modern Fish Act (MFA) (HB 2023) aims to “reform” the management of America’s fisheries, but many conservationist say the proposal should be taken off the hook and thrown back. Others believe it is just the latest incarnation of the Republicans’ war on common sense environmental protection.

Before 1976, the year the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act was signed, US fish stocks were plummeting, boats from all around the world had the right to fish as close as 12 nautical miles from the US coastline. Their catch was uncontrolled, unmanaged and worst of all, unsustainable.

The passage of Magnuson-Stevens helped to set annual catch limits on both commercial and recreational fishing with the goal of ensuring saltwater fish populations would last for years. Yet, the MFA - currently making it’s way through the house - proposes getting rid of limits for recreational fisherman who believe they play no role in fishery depletion.

This law could lead to uncontrolled catches damaging the recovery efforts of at risk fish populations and putting well managed ones in the crosshairs. Critics believe this new law puts the immediate wants of sports fishermen over long term survival of this important resource.

It is of vital importance that conservationist, environmentalists and every day Americans tell Congress this bill is a step back in the wrong direction and that our fisheries must be protected and managed so that everyone gets their chance at catching a whopper.

Sign the petition and tell Congress to throw back the MFA.
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