Mfcn Spring 2006

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Vol. 11, Issue 2 June 2006

Network News

SPECIAL EDITION

Senate Passes Fisheries Reauthorization Bill, House Moves Forward

In this Issue... Letter from the Executive Director

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New Network Staff

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Network’s Annual Meeting

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Fish Fest 2006

4-5

New Report on Overfishing

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New Report on Bycatch

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Mid-Atlantic Update 8 South Atlantic Update 8 Pacific Update

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Gulf of Mexico Update

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New Network Members Calendar

10-11

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The Marine Fish Conservation Network (Network) is a coalition of more than 190 environmental organizations, commercial and recreational fishing associations, and marine science groups dedicated to promoting the long-term sustainability of ocean fish. The Network represents nearly five million people. Please visit: www.conservefish.org

much debated National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) waiver, which would exempt fishery management councils from developing a broad range of alternatives for fishery management plans and would remove important opportunities for public participation. In addition Lee Crockett testifies at a House Resources to eliminating these rollbacks, the Network would like to see many Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Daniel other provisions included or strengthened, Inouye’s (D-HI) bipartisan-supported bill, S. 2012, including the establishment of an accountability passed by unanimous consent on June 19. measure for overages to annual catch limits, public During the first week in June all Senate access to aggregate fisheries data, conflict of Republicans had cleared the bill, but several interest provisions for both council and Science Democrats had put holds on the bill while some of and Statistical Committee members, and term limits the remaining issues were worked out. In general, on quota programs. the Senate bill enjoys broad support, and with no rollbacks to current law, represents a positive step So, 10 years after Congress passed significant forward in our attempt to achieve sustainable conservation improvements to fisheries management of our nation’s fisheries. Of course, the Network would like to see some aspects of the management, the House is poised to take giant steps backward? The past decade shows that our bill strengthened, but it is hard to complain when fishery management system is flawed; many you consider what is happening on the House councils have allowed continued overfishing in side. many fisheries, and their attempts to rebuild stocks have failed far too often. This is not the time to roll The climate in the House is markedly different. back current law; the outcome of this would be Although several bills floated around the House, both ecologically and economically devastating. the bill moving is the “American Fisheries Congress must pass legislation that corrects some Management and Marine Life Enhancement Act,” of the problems contained in current law, H.R. 5018, introduced by Resource Committee strengthens regulations regarding overfishing, Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) and upholds NEPA, and establishes strong standards cosponsored by Don Young (R-AK) and Barney for limited access privilege programs. Frank (D-MA). Although Pombo’s bill does contain some positive improvements from the As this legislation moves forward, the Network is May 17 mark-up and some important elements working hard to ensure that the introduced version regarding reform of the regional fisheries of the Pombo bill is significantly strengthened. management councils and the use of science in The bill is fixable, and we hold out hope, but management decisions, the bill as a whole would without these necessary amendments, the Pombo represent a real regression in fisheries bill will represent a regression in law that in the management. First, the Pombo bill contains long run will not benefit fish or fishermen. rebuilding timeline extension provisions for depleted fish. Second, the bill also contains the A decade ago, Congress passed the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA), and it appears finally, that the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) is a distinct possibility this Congress. The final outcome, however, remains to be seen.

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

A Letter from the Executive Director An Inconvenient Truth Many people have seen the documentary about Al Gore’s global warming slide show, “An Inconvenient Truth.” The former Vice President has been talking about global warming for years and has dedicated much of his life since the 2000 election to educating the public about global warming. After years of work, his efforts are paying off. It seems like a day does not go by without a print, radio, or television story about global warming. The media and the public are finally paying attention, but whether the government is remains unclear. In the fish world, advocates and scientists have been talking about another inconvenient truth – we must end overfishing to rebuild depleted fish populations. Sounds like common sense, doesn’t it? Not to federal fisheries managers. NMFS has proposed changing federal law and regulations regarding rebuilding to allow overfishing for two years as part of a rebuilding plan. A NMFS spokesperson was even quoted saying, “We can rebuild (fish stocks) while overfishing is occurring because unfettered, massive overfishing is not occurring.” Overfishing is overfishing, and it must end if we want healthy fish populations. Now comes a new scientific study by Dr. Andy Rosenberg and others (“Rebuilding U.S. Fisheries: progress and problems,” in press at Frontiers in Ecology and Environment) that documents the impact of government efforts to end overfishing and rebuild depleted fish populations. The picture the authors paint is not a pretty one. Nearly 10 years after Congress told NMFS to end overfishing and rebuild depleted fish populations, only 3 populations have been restored. We have 67 populations under rebuilding plans and 45 percent of those are still subjected to overfishing. The authors sum up the problem by saying “The clearest cause of the lack of progress in rebuilding is the failure of many plans to reduce exploitation sufficiently to end overfishing.” Congress has another chance to address this issue. Both the House and Senate Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization bills contain new requirements for managers to set annual catch limits that prevent overfishing. That’s great. But what we really need is a way to enforce these limits. The Senate has an enforcement mechanism in its bill that could be stronger, but the House has none. Hopefully, the finally bill that goes to the President will contain strong limits and a way to enforce them. As the Rosenberg study shows, we can’t leave it up to the managers to get overfishing under control, Congress must step in again. That’s the real inconvenient truth. For the fish and fishermen,

Lee R. Crockett

Network’s New Staff Amy Price, Special Projects Intern The Network’s new Special Projects Intern, Amy Price, started with us at the end of May. A native of Maryland, Amy graduated this past spring from the College of William and Mary with a B.S. in biology. In her classes and travels she was struck by the dire state of much of the world’s biodiversity and decided she would focus her career on conservation. She spent her previous summer working in an internship at the U.S. National Arboretum, where she was introduced to the wide world of plants. Amy hopes her new focus on fish will prove to be as much fun as the plants (no sarcasm implied!). In her free time, Amy enjoys kayaking and yoga. She plans to return to school next year to get her Master’s in conservation ecology, but in the meantime is excited to get some “real” experience in the conservation field.

Aaron Prebenda, Media/Communications Intern Aaron Prebenda signed on with the Network as the new Media Intern in May of 2006. He will be an undergraduate senior this upcoming academic term, majoring in political science and minoring in philosophy at the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, DC. Aaron comes from New Jersey and has always had a fondness for the ocean. He recently became a certified PADI Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver and, though not a regular fisherman, enjoys going on occasional fishing trips with his family. His interest in political journalism and his dedication to conservation brought him to this internship with the Network.

MARINE FISH 2CONSERVATION NETWORK

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Network’s Annual Meeting 2006 On June 6, 2006, the Marine Fish Conservation Network held its annual meeting in Alexandria, VA. Around 100 members of the Network met to discuss the upcoming reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Network’s new ecosystem/multispecies-based fishery management initiative. Attendees enjoyed two excellent presentations, one on ecosystem/ multispecies-based fishery management by Dr. Ed Houde of the University of Maryland, and another by Margaret Bowman, director of Lenfest Ocean Program on rebuilding U.S. fisheries. Network members were treated to the debut of the Network’s new fishery management video, The Long View: A Plan to Save Our Ocean Fish – a 12-minute video exploring why we need to rely more heavily on sound science in U.S. marine fisheries management. The video highlights the threats to marine fish populations, how declining fish populations have affected the fishing industry nationwide, and why it is important to protect fishing communities and the fisheries that they depend on. (To order a DVD of the Network’s video, please contact us at 202-543-5509.) Following the meeting on June 6th, Network members visited Capital Hill to speak with Members of both the House and Senate. Network members discussed the consequences of proposed rollbacks to existing law during Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization, the need to keep the Magnuson-Stevens and the National Environmental Policy Acts separate, and the need for strong standards for fishing quota programs.

Ivy Newman and Justin Massey Tony DeFalco coordinates with Pacific Coast members Caitlin Winans, Kate Simmons, and Leda Cunningham

Dr. Ed Houde addresses the crowd

Speaker Margaret Bowman and Lee Crockett Bill Chandler and Stephanie Young sign up for Hill visits

Katie Latanich, Sarah Gallo, Kasey Gallogly, Roger Fleming, and Aaron Viles

Dan Jacobson, Amy Dickson, and Bob Strickland

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MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Fish Fest 2006 On June 8, 2006, the Network held Fish Fest 2006, a Celebration of Sustainable Seafood in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Fish Fest celebrates fishermen who fish responsibly using methods that target select species, avoid overfishing, and protect essential fish habitat. The event also highlights Washington, D.C.’s finest chefs who prepare the sustainably caught seafood for Members of Congress and their staff, Network members, and other ocean advocates. This year more than 600 attendees enjoyed the savory, sustainably caught seafood from around the country. Attendees could also view the Network’s newest educational video, The Long View: A Plan to Save Our Ocean Fish. Fish Fest allowed the Network to both heighten awareness of America’s troubled oceans and recognize those fishermen and legislators who work hard to protect, restore, and conserve marine fish. The Network would like to thank the 22 Members of Congress who attended Fish Fest 2006 for taking time out of their busy schedules to support the Network’s efforts. A special thank you to all of the chefs and fishermen who generously donated their time and expertise, making Fish Fest 2006 a successful event celebrating sustainably seafood. All photographs unless otherwise stated are by Justin Schuck Photography

Tim Leahy, Dan Jacobson, Hope Lobkowicz, Erin Grizzard, and Amy Hojnowski

Sara Randall, Jennifer Johnson, and Congressman John Salazar

Photo by Network Staff

Chef Rock Harper from B. Smith’s

Najah Abdullah and Peter Huhtala

Tom Wheatley, Jo Knight, and Jason Schratwieser

Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Celeste Drake, and Alex Reed

Zeke Grader talks to Congresswoman Grace Napolitano

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Congressman Henry Waxman

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Thank You to Our Participating Chefs • • • • • • • • • •

Rebecca Byrnes, Viridian Geoff Tracy, Chef Geoff’s Rock Harper, B. Smith’s Barton Seaver, Café Saint-Ex Lejon Williams, Catering by Chef Inc. Jeff Buben, Bistro Bis and Vidalia John Miller, Art Institute of Washington Alex Zeppos, Growlers of Gaithersburg Restaurant and Brewery Teddy Folkman, The Reef Lloyd Banks, J. Paul’s

Letise Houser, Jacob Maccoby, and Congressman Sam Farr

Kristen Bossi, Lori Sonkin, Gerry Leape and Roberta Elias

Tony DeFalco and Congressman Gil Gutknecht

Congressman Jim Moran talks to other Fish Fest attendees

Rich Innes and Lee Crockett

Ashley Couch and Anna Pickler from The Reef

Photo by Network Staff

Thank You to the Fish Providers

Congressman Mike McIntyre and Congressman Steve King

• • • • • • • • • • Christian Barnes and Mary Austill Lott

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Marvin and Annette Bellamy Bering Select Seafoods Company Paula Terrel and Dick HofMann Eat on the Wild Side Columbia River Crab Fishermen’s Association Washington Dungeness Crab Fishermen’s Association EcoFish Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission Oregon Trawl Commission KoosKooskie Fish

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Network’s Report, Shell Game, Uncovers Lack of Progress with Overfishing The Network released a new report on March 29 documenting the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) finessing of data presented to Congress on the status of the nation’s fisheries. The report, entitled Shell Game: How the Federal Government is Hiding the Mismanagement of Our Nation’s Fisheries, reveals that through some administrative shuffling, NMFS has been able to veil a complete lack of progress in reducing the number of fisheries that are overfished or are currently experiencing overfishing. In 2001, only 13 percent of the nation’s fisheries could be considered healthy; by 2004, this percentage had not improved. The Network’s report exposes that 60 percent of the overfished stocks and 75 percent of the stocks experiencing overfishing between 2001 and 2004 were taken off the list due to administrative shuffling, thereby creating a superficial veneer of management success for NMFS’ annual report to Congress. According to Shell Game, NMFS also continues to allow overfishing to occur on nearly half of the nation’s overfished stocks, thus preventing these depleted fish populations from recovering. “NMFS has not been clear with Congress or the American public because it consistently finesses the data to mask management failures from year to year,” said Lee Crockett, executive director of the Network. “We need to take a hard look at what is and isn’t working in fisheries management if we are to make any progress in the future.” All of this comes at an important time, as Congress evaluates the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for renewal. The Magnuson-Stevens Act is the cornerstone of the federal government’s management of our ocean fisheries, and current legislation in the House of Representatives would fundamentally weaken the Act’s safeguards already in place (see article, front page). “Catch limits benefit fishermen because they protect the long-term health of this important ocean resource, and by extension they protect our way of life,” said Mark Leach, a commercial hook fisherman from Photo: NOAA Chatham, Massachusetts. “How else are we going to stop overfishing if we don’t limit the number of fish that we catch?” The Network submitted Shell Game to Congress with the hope of pointing out the problems with rollbacks to the current law and encouraging lawmakers to fortify conservation measures essential to preserving our ocean resources. To view a copy of Shell Game, please visit: http://www.conservefish.org/site/pubs/network_reports/.

Photo: NOAA

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MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Network Reveals Fishery Managers are Turning a Blind Eye to Wasteful Fishing One June 1, the Network released a report on bycatch, the catching and killing of non-target ocean wildlife from juvenile red snapper to sea turtles, entitled Turning a Blind Eye: The ‘See No Evil’ Approach to Wasteful Fishing. The report highlights the enormity of the bycatch problem in U.S. fisheries and reviews regional council implementation of the bycatch minimization mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Each year bycatch in twenty-seven of the nation’s most important fisheries total more than 2.2 billion pounds, the equivalent by weight of over 270,000 Hummer H2 SUV’s, more than 15 QE2 luxury liners, or the fish for more than 7 billion fish fillet sandwiches. While examining council implementation of the bycatch mandates of the MSA, the Network saw little progress nearly eight years after councils were legally required to take action. Most councils did not take direct action to minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality and did not adequately report on the amount or composition of bycatch in their fisheries. “The fact is we’re not going to deal with overfishing in some of our fisheries until we have a real and accurate picture of the levels of bycatch,” said Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations. “Nor is this problem limited to resource conservation since one fleet’s bycatch maybe the fish another fleet depends upon; too often small boat commercial family fishermen have had their fisheries wiped out just to allow the bigger boats to continue destructive fishing operations.” Surprisingly, 7 out of 8 regional fishery management councils have not established a legally required standardized bycatch reporting methodology for all of their fisheries. Out of about 300 federally-managed fisheries, only 42 are currently monitored by fishery observers that help to quantify bycatch estimates. Sadly, these existing programs are inadequate. While scientists recommend at least 20 percent observer coverage to accurately estimate bycatch for each fishery, many of the fisheries with the highest levels of bycatch have less than 10 percent observer coverage. If bycatch is not reported, there is no incentive for councils to address their bycatch problem. “Many of the fish that sport fishermen love to chase, such as marlin, tuna, and sharks, just aren’t as plentiful anymore because too many have been caught as bycatch in the longline and swordfish fisheries,” said Jason Schratwieser, conservation director for the International Game Fish Association. “It’s a shame that fishery managers don’t do more to protect such a well-loved American pastime.”

Photo: NOAA

The Network report found that currently most councils rely on indirect management benefits from fishery closures and gear restrictions designed to combat overfishing and protect habitat to prevent bycatch, rather than utilizing specific bycatch reduction measures. Bycatch data, when available, is not always accounted for in fishery stock assessments that the councils use to set catch limits. Fishery models that do not account for large amounts of bycatch will threaten the long-term sustainability of our ocean’s fish until fishery managers make an honest and diligent effort to quantify and account for bycatch. To view a copy of Turning a Blind Eye, please visit: http:// www.conservefish.org/site/pubs/network_reports/.

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MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Mid-Atlantic Update

Photo: Carl Safina

Council Votes to Increase Landings of Golden Tilefish Over the Objections of NMFS Against the advice of Pat Kurkel, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Regional Administrator, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted in favor of increasing the landings of golden tilefish from 905 metric tons (mt) to 987 mt for the next three years. At issue, was a request from the tilefish industry to increase the landings because when the catch limit was set by NMFS, it was based on live weight instead of gutted weight, which is how the tilefish industry historically interpreted reported landings (fish weigh less after they have been “gutted”). While the tilefish rebuilding program is ahead of schedule, the increase “could be devastating for the industry,” noted NMFS’ Regional Administrator. The next stock assessment is not scheduled until 2009, which could prove to be disastrous if the Council is wrong in setting a higher catch. Any required changes to the management plan may not be in place in time for the stock to meet its rebuilding deadline of 2011.

NMFS Proposes to Double Spiny Dogfish Bycatch Landings NMFS has decided to double the spiny dog fish catch to 4 million pounds for the next three years, despite a 20-year stock rebuilding projection and against an earlier recommendation by the Mid-Atlantic Council to cap dogfish catch at 2 million pounds. Seven months prior to NMFS’s decision, the Mid-Atlantic Council voted to set multi-year bycatch levels at 2 million pounds and to have 600 pound trip limits covering two different periods for spiny dogfish. During the debate, Pat Kurkel noted that a 4 million pound cap would potentially not be “conservation neutral,” especially if the new cap led to unintentionally catching more female dogfish. (Numbers of mature female spiny dogfish have not increased appreciably in the past three years.) Reducing Bycatch Mortality in the Recreational Sector The Ecosystem Committee continues its work on reducing bycatch morality in the recreational sector. Recently, the Ecosystem Committee reviewed a study which examined recreational catch-and-release angling and whether circle hooks are effective tools for the conservation of marine fish. The Committee is considering developing a Research Set Aside program in 2009 to further determine circle hook usage. Atlantic mackerel will be the only recreational stock that will not be eligible for the circle hook program, owing to the structure of its mouth.

South Atlantic Update At its last meeting in March, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council continued to work on management measures, including rebuilding plans for several species in the snapper-grouper complex, the establishment of sites for eight marine protected areas, and further development of its fishery ecosystem plan. Rebuilding Plans The Council also discussed plans for rebuilding the stocks of snowy grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy, which follow the Council’s approval of Amendment 13C at its meeting in December. Amendment 13C, which was submitted to the Secretary of Commerce for approval, established catch limits and hard quotas for four species in the snapper-grouper complex; snowy grouper, black sea bass, vermilion snapper, golden tilefish, as well as a slight increase in the catch of red porgy. Photo: NOAA

With these reductions, the South Atlantic Council has taken a big step in the right direction to end overfishing. We will be monitoring its progress in the development of rebuilding plans for snowy grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy, however, to see if the Council’s commitment to better conservation is serious and sincere. Marine Protected Areas The Council has also continued to move forward on selecting its preferred alternatives for eight new marine protected area (MPA) sites along the South Atlantic coast. The Council is scheduled to decide on its final preferred alternatives for MPA plans at its next meeting in June, after which the amendments will be open to public hearing. Fishery Ecosystem Plan The Council is also making progress on its fishery ecosystem plan (FEP) and its comprehensive amendment that will attempt to lay the groundwork for a more holistic approach to fisheries management. The Council is considering a collection of preliminary draft actions that could go into the plan. 8

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Pacific Update Sixth Worst Fishery In the last issue we noted a report detailing the Pacific groundfish fishery’s bycatch rates as sixth worst in the nation. The report was published in Fish and Fisheries (Volume 6:350-361) and is also available at: http:// www.oceana.org/fileadmin/oceana/uploads/Big_Fish_Report/PDF_Bycatch_July28.pdf.

Photo: NOAA

Increasing Bycatch In March, the Pacific Council approved a permit to expand its drift gillnet fishery into an area that had been formerly closed to protect endangered leatherback sea turtles. An environmental assessment presented to the council showed that opening this area would increase the amounts of bycatch of fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles. NMFS’ final approval is pending. The council also preliminarily approved a permit for longline fishing for swordfish and bigeye tuna (a species currently experiencing overfishing), a fishery currently closed due to bycatch of endangered sea turtles. Scientists are completing an environmental assessment.

Fishing Down to Overfished In March, the Pacific Council voted 13-1 to set a catch level for Pacific whiting that scientists warned would result in the stock going from its current level of 30 percent of original population size to 25 percent (the overfished threshold for Pacific groundfish populations). Council member Rod Moore, who represents seafood processing companies (one of which processes over 50 percent of the whiting caught off the Pacific Coast), voted for the measure, re-assuring other members that the population will bounce back. Shortest Commercial Salmon Season Commercial salmon troll fishermen will be sitting at the dock for most of this year’s season due to the National Marine Fisheries Service and Bureau of Reclamation’s failure to follow scientific advice in setting flow levels in the Klamath River. In 2001, the agencies opted not to follow its chief scientific adviser and instead re-wrote a biological opinion to show that lower flow levels would not harm threatened coho salmon. They were wrong, and the fish and fishermen are paying for it. In 2002, massive numbers of juvenile coho and Chinook salmon were not able to make it to sea, and 70,000 adult Chinook salmon died upon reaching the low-water, warm, and parasite-infested river. Now, in 2006 the spawners that did not spawn and the juveniles that did not make it out are “missing,” and the Pacific Council had no choice but to recommend closing 700 miles of coast to salmon fishing. There is a possible repeat of this closure next year.

Gulf of Mexico Update Red Snapper IFQ Approved As we reported in the last newsletter, 2006 is the year of the red snapper. In March, the Gulf Council approved the controversial red snapper individual fishing quota (IFQ) program. After nearly six years of development, all but two council members voted in favor of the first IFQ program for the Gulf of Mexico.

Photo: NOAA

The Network has long been in favor of Congress enacting national standards for IFQ programs before the regional fishery management councils and the National Marine Fisheries Service enact any new programs. The red snapper IFQ program creates a strong case for this position. The program has the potential to consolidate quota amongst the largest 12 or 13 shareholders because of the high ownership cap in the program. Alarmingly, 82 percent of all red snapper permit holders (73 percent of active permit holders) were not allowed to vote in the two industry referenda. In addition, there is no expiration date for quota shares in the program, blurring the line between public and private ownership of the resource. It is expected that the Secretary of Commerce will approve the plan for implementation in 2007.

Red Snapper Rebuilding Plan Also in March, the Gulf Council made changes to the red snapper rebuilding plan under development after conducting public hearings throughout the Gulf. Unfortunately, the Gulf Council removed many of the provisions called for by Network member groups necessary to reduce bycatch (the catching and killing of untargeted ocean wildlife) of red snapper in shrimp trawls. Mismanagement of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico continues to cause harm to ocean ecosystems and fishing communities. The time for the Gulf Council to take action to rebuild the stock and provide for healthy ecosystems and more fishing opportunities in the future is long overdue. The public still has opportunities to weigh in on this plan. Visit www.gulfcouncil.org to read the most up-to-date version of the plan and find out how and when you can get involved. 9

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Network Welcomes Newest Members Aquatic Resources Inc. 56010 Fairview Rd. Coquille, OR 97423 Phone: (541) 396-6886 Fax: (541) 396-6806 www.ari1.com Originally incorporated as a live Dungeness crab supply company that grew to be the largest in the world, ARI is now dedicated to providing live Dungeness crab handlers with an unmatched source of information about Live Seafood handling. ARI is the originator of the modular wet-shipping/holding systems in which the same container can be used at sea, shore side, and during trucking. This modular system reduces handling and associated mortalities.

Environment Colorado

Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG)

Environment Maryland

1536 Wynkoop St., Ste. 100 Denver, CO 80202 Phone: (303) 573-3871 Fax: (303) 573-3780 www.environmentcolorado.org Environment Colorado focuses on protecting air and water quality, promoting a sustainable energy policy, implementing transit oriented solutions to Colorado’s transportation problems and curbing sprawl by promoting responsible land use planning. Environment Colorado utilizes the time-tested tools of research, public education, advocacy, and organizing.

3121 St. Paul Street, Suite 26 Baltimore, MD 21218 Phone: (410) 417-0439 Fax: (410) 366-2051 www.environmentmaryland.org Environment Maryland is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. Their professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and toughminded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for Maryland’s environment.

130 N. Central Ave., Suite 311 Phoenix , AZ 85004 Phone: (602) 252-9227 Fax: (602) 252-9201 www.arizonapirg.org Arizona PIRG uncovers threats to public health and well-being and fights to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposure, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. Arizona PIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, resultoriented public interest activism that protects our environment, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

Environment Michigan 103 E. Liberty, Suite 202 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Phone: (734) 662-9797 Fax: (734) 662-8393 www.environmentmichigan.org Environment Michigan is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. Our professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and toughminded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for Michigan’s environment. Environment Michigan draws on 30 years of success in tackling our state’s top environmental problems.

Cook Inletkeeper 3734 Ben Walters Lane, Suite 201 Homer, AK 99603 Phone: (907) 235-4068 Fax: (907) 235-4069 www.inletkeeper.org Cook Inlet Keeper is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the vast Cook Inlet watershed and the life it sustains. Keeper’s programs unite individuals and groups through water quality monitoring, environmental education, and effective advocacy, to give citizens the tools they need to promote clean water in the 47,000 square mile Cook Inlet watershed. Keeper’s 19’ patrol skiff provides the organization with a unique platform to sample water quality, educate groups, and press for responsible stewardship. Since its inception in 1995, Keeper has become the leading advocate for watershed-based protections in the rich but threatened streams, lakes and estuaries of the Cook Inlet watershed.

Environment North Carolina 112 S. Blount Street, Suite 102 Raleigh, NC 27601 Phone: (919) 833-0015 Fax: (919) 839-0767 www.environmentnorthcarolina.org Environment North Carolina uses independent research and tough-minded advocacy to win concrete results for the environment, especially when powerful interests stand in the way of environmental progress. Environment North Carolina focuses exclusively on protecting North Carolina’s air, water and open spaces. They speak out and take action at the local, state and national levels to improve the quality of the environment and our lives. 10

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK

Environment Texas

New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG)

700 West Ave. Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 479-0388 Fax: (512) 479-0400 www.environmenttexas.org Environment Texas uses independent research and tough-minded advocacy to win concrete results for the environment, especially when powerful interests stand in the way of environmental progress. Environment Texas focuses exclusively on protecting Texas’ air, water and open spaces. They speak out and take action at the local, state and national levels to improve the quality of the environment and our lives.

11 N. Willow Street Trenton, NJ 08608 Phone: (609) 394-8155 Fax: (609) 989-9013 www.njpirg.org NJPIRG uncovers threats to public health and well-being and fights to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposure, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. NJPIRGs mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects our environment, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

Food & Water Watch 1400 16th St., NW, Ste. 225 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 797-6558 Fax: (202) 797-6560 www.foodandwaterwatch.org Food & Water Watch challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and by transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink. We work on food safety, agriculture, fisheries, and waterrights in a four-pronged effort: public and policymaker education, lobbying, media, and Internet activism. We want citizens to speak up, get involved at the grassroots level, and push for change in their communities.

Oceans Alert 47 Warren Street Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 Phone: (914) 478-3188 Fax: (914) 478-2667 www.oceansalert.org Oceans Alert seeks to involve people worldwide in efforts to create ocean literacy; rebuild healthy and sustainable fish populations; encourage responsible aquaculture practices, and restore the health of the ocean and waterways.

Prime Seafood

Green Fire Productions P.O. Box 369 La grande, OR 97850 Phone: (541) 963-2495 www.greenfireproductions.org Green Fire Productions creates and distributes media communication tools that advance conservation and social justice issues. Our most recent program focuses on protecting ocean habitat off Oregon’s coast and restoring fisheries.

Photo by NOAA

9814 Kensington Parkway Kensington, MD 20895 Phone: (301) 949-7778 Fax: (301) 949-3003 www.primeseafood.com Prime Seafood does wholesale and retail sales of top quality seafood from sustainably managed fisheries to high-end restaurants in the Washington DC Area.

Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) 210 N. Bassett St., Suite 200 Madison, WI 53703 Phone: (608) 251-9501 Fax: (608) 287-0865 www.wispirg.org WISPIRG uncovers threats to public health and well-being and fights to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposure, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. WISPIRGs mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects our environment, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

New Hampshire Public Interest Research Group (NHPIRG) 30 S. Main St. Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 229-3222 Fax: (603) 229-3221 www.nhpirg.org NHPIRG uncovers threats to public health and well-being and fights to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposure, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. NHPIRGs mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects our environment, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government. 11

MARINE FISH CONSERVATION NETWORK “...To Protect, Restore, and Conserve Marine Fish.” Calendar of Events JULY July 15-20 National Marine Educators 2006 Conference New York, NY For more information: http:// nysmea.org/con06/ AUGUST August 1-3 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting Philadelphia, PA For more information: http:// www.mafmc.org/mid-atlantic/ meetings/meetings.htm August 7-18 Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Meeting Manila, Phillippines For more information: http:// www.wcpfc.org/

August 14 - 18 Gulf Fishery Management Council Meeting Baton Rouge, LA For more information: http:// www.gulfcouncil.org

September 18-22 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting Hilton Head, SC For more information: http:// www.safmc.net

SEPTEMBER September 10-14 American Fisheries Society 136th Annual Meeting Lake Placid, NY For more information: http:// www.afslakeplacid.org

September 18-22 Western Pacific Fishery Management Council South Pacific Albacore Workshop Honolulu, Hawaii For more information: http:// www.wpcouncil.org/calendar/ Current%202006%20Meetings %20List.pdf

September 10-15 Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting Foster City, California For more information: http:// www.pcouncil.org/events/ future.html#2006

Marine Fish Conservation Network 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Suite 210 Washington, DC 20003 www.conservefish.org Phone: 202-543-5509 Fax: 202-543-5774

September 26-28 New England Fishery Management Council Meeting Location to be determined For more information: http:// www.nefmc.org/calendar/ index.html