January 9, 2012 — For the fish in America’s oceans, we need to resolve to help them gain weight. Bigger, older animals will create abundant offspring, which will lead to better fishing, increased seafood, more jobs, and healthier and more resilient ocean ecosystems.
Here are some specific things we can do to keep this important resolution:
1. Effectively implement America’s ocean fishing law. We should leverage the tremendous progress made in the past five years by effectively enforcing to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, our nation’s ocean fishing law. Last year, scientists, managers, fishermen, and other stakeholders developed plans to prevent overfishing through enforceable catch limits, and 2012 marks the first year in which these measures take effect in many regions. The challenges in carrying out the law will vary across the country, but these resolutions will help the fish in our oceans put on millions of pounds:
• New England—Expand upon the first-year conservation success of sectors (cooperative fishing groups) in order to restore cod and other bottom-dwelling species that play a vital role in the region’s economy and culture.
• Mid-Atlantic—Continue to follow the science and ensure that fishermen benefit from the accomplishments of past efforts to restore important stocks, such as summer flounder, while keeping these species at healthy levels.
• South Atlantic—Remain committed to restoring dwindling fish populations, such as the iconic red snapper, protect ones that are healthy, and focus on improving recreational fishing data.
Read the complete piece in National Geographic News Watch