Panel to Urge Bush Administration to Enhance Its Ocean Legacy, Stand Up to Fishing Interests Within Fishery Management Councils

National Marine Fisheries Service Poised to Issue Proposals that Could Set Historic Rules for Managing Wild Fish Populations

April 10, 2008

Washington, DC — On Thursday, April 10 at 12 p.m., the Pew Environment Group hosted a press lunch panel. Ocean luminaries, fisheries experts and a local celebrity chef provided an overview of the Bush administration's ocean accomplishments and identified areas where fishing interests within some of the regional fishery management councils could undermine recent successes. Panelists also discussed two upcoming rulemakings — one on the National Environmental Policy Act, the other on ending overfishing — to be proposed by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The Bush administration could be remembered for its significant ocean conservation achievements, unless some in the fishing industry and the regional fishery management councils successfully chip away at the administration's progress.

• Listen to the briefing
• Read the press release
• Read new fact sheets on overfishing and the National Environmental Policy Act

Participants:

• Dr. Sylvia Earle - ambassador for the world's oceans, National Geographic explorer-in-residence
• Philippe Cousteau - CEO/president, EarthEcho
• William Aila - member, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Council
• Barton Seaver - executive chef, Hook
• Joshua Reichert - managing director, Pew Environment Group
• Lee Crockett - director, federal fisheries policy, Pew Environment Group (moderator)

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