SavingSeaFood - European Union Proposes Overhaul of Fisheries Policy

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European Union Proposes Overhaul of Fisheries Policy

PARIS - July 13, 2011 - The European Union on Wednesday proposed a major overhaul of its fisheries policy, including the creation of a market in fishing rights.

But environmentalists said that the plan did not address the overcapacity of the bloated European fleet.

Maria Damanaki, the European Union’s commissioner for maritime affairs and fisheries, said in Brussels that the changes were needed because scientific models suggested that only eight of 136 fish stocks in European Union waters would be at sustainable levels in 2022 if no action were taken.

The aim is to secure both fish stocks and fishermen’s livelihood for the future while putting an end to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks, she said.

Read the complete story from The New York Times.

HASTINGS: Time to improve the Endangered Species Act

May 18, 2012 - When the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law in 1973 by President Nixon, he spoke about the importance of preserving “the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” I believe that goal is as important today as it was back then. However, after nearly 40 years, it’s time to take a fresh, honest look at the law and consider whether there are ways it could be improved to do a better job of protecting and recovering species.

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