Destructive Trawling Successes
Oceana, working with commercial and recreational fishermen, federal fishing management council members, National Marine Fisheries Service staff and other interested organizations, won major victories in 2004 and 2005 to protect deep sea coral and sponge communities from destructive trawling and dredging fishing gear.
The Pew Oceans Commissions and the United Commission on Ocean Policy called for an ocean-protection management approach. The new approach focuses on the health of the ocean environment and sustainable fishing rather than how to catch as many fish as humanly possible until they are gone.
Deep-Sea Corals in Atlantic Ocean Canyons Protected, Fishery Managers Limit Monkfish Bottom Trawling
America's oceans won a major victory today when the New England Fishery Management Council voted to protect deep-sea coral communities in New England and mid-Atlantic offshore submarine canyons from destructive monkfish bottom trawling gear. The council adopted an Oceana-supported amendment to the monkfish management plan that bans fishing for monkfish by bottom trawling and gillnetting in the Oceanographer and Lydonia canyons where marine scientists have identified and studied large deep-sea coral communities. The amendment adopted by the council also limits the size of the bottom trawling roller gear and rockhopper gear on the mouth of the nets to no more than six inches in diameter in the submarine canyon areas off the shores of the Mid-Atlantic States known as the "southern management area" of the monkfish fishery.
"We congratulate the New England council members for this major decision that protects deep-sea corals and the ocean environment. This decision proves to other U.S. regional fishing councils that fishermen, managers and the conservation community can and must work hand-in-hand as stewards of the ocean." Dave Allison, Director of Oceana's Campaign to Stop Destructive Trawling
Oceana Hails Another Victory For America's Oceans: Mid-Atlantic Council Decision To Ban Bottom Trawling in Ocean Canyons Follows Trend Begun by New England Panel
October 6, 2004
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council unanimously voted to accept the recent New England council decision to protect deep-sea coral communities in New England and Mid-Atlantic submarine canyons from destructive monkfish bottom trawling gear. These decisions are the first indication that fishery managers are using new scientific research to protect invaluable marine life, such as deep-sea corals.
The amendment bans fishing for monkfish by bottom trawling and gill-netting in the Oceanographer and Lydonia canyons, where marine scientists have identified and studied large deep-sea coral communities. The decision also limits the size of the bottom trawling roller gear and rockhopper gear on the mouth of the nets to no more than six inches in diameter in the submarine canyon areas off the shores of the Mid-Atlantic states known as the "southern management area" of the monkfish fishery.
"Today's vote to protect these magnificent corals shows that good science can lead to good policies that protect the ocean and its wildlife, while allowing fishermen to continue to fish. We urge the North Pacific and Pacific regional fishery management councils to swiftly develop fishery management plans that protect deep-sea corals and other essential fish habitat in deep ocean canyons from destructive bottom trawling gear." Dave Allison, director of Oceana's Campaign to Stop Destructive Trawling
California Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Law to Protect Ocean Habitat and Vibrant Fisheries
October 2004
California Governor Schwarzenegger signed a law that will further protect California's valuable Pacific waters from destructive fishing practices. Senate Bill 1459, sponsored by Senator Dede Alpert (D-San Diego) and approved by a bipartisan majority in both houses, ensures that fishing with bottom trawl nets that are dragged along the seafloor is conducted in a manner that protects marine life in waters off the California coast.
Among other actions, the law will put all state bottom trawl fisheries under the management of the Fish and Game Commission; establish a permitting system for bottom trawl fisheries; and restrict areas where bottom trawling is allowed in state waters.
President Bush Includes Instructions to Research, Survey and Protect Deep-Sea Coral Communities in his U.S. Ocean Action Plan
December, 2004
President Bush's U.S. Ocean Action Plan is his response to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, which stated that our oceans are in crisis. Following is the text from the action plan.
Research, Survey and Protect Deep-Sea Coral Communities.
- The Committee on Ocean Policy will determine which agency or agencies should take the lead in coordinating the Federal government's management and research activities with respect to deep-sea corals.
- The New England Fishery Management Council and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council recently approved an amendment to the monkfish management plan that places a moratorium on dredging in certain submerged canyon areas off the northeast coast of the United States that contain vast quantities of deep-sea corals. NOAA is currently working with the regional fishery management councils to provide technical assistance to facilitate council consideration of measures to conserve and manage deep-sea coral communities. The Administration encourages all regional fishery management councils to take action, where appropriate, to protect deep-sea corals when developing and implementing regional fishery management plans.
- The Department of Interior is currently engaged through FY2006 in a three-year, $3 million survey of deep-sea corals in the Gulf of Mexico that involves the use of a manned submersible to survey and sample such habitats. Based on this research, DOI took action to conserve known deep-sea coral communities in the Gulf of Mexico that were located during surveys conducted by the Minerals Management Service.
- NOAA is the primary Federal agency involved in two international deep-sea coral exploration missions scheduled for 2005, which will be conducted jointly with European Union nations.
- NOAA is in the process of developing a Status Report on Deep-Sea Corals in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, which is expected to be published in 2005.
Largest Area of Ocean in the World Saved From Destructive Bottom Trawling; Action Protects America's Marine Jewel: Aleutian Deep-Sea Coral Gardens
February 10, 2005
In an historic victory for protecting our oceans, and the largest such action taken anywhere in the world, U.S. authorities closed to destructive commercial fishing nearly one million square kilometers of north Pacific Ocean surrounding the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, an area equal to Texas and California combined. The protected area includes exquisite deep-sea coral and sponge gardens off the Aleutians, a site that scientists call unique on Earth. In doing so, authorities adopted Oceana's approach to ocean management, a move that the international ocean conservation group called a signal moment for the oceans. It was also the first time in our nation's history that such a large-scale fishing-gear ban has been adopted to protect seafloor habitat, instead of due to crashing or declining fish stocks.The Council voted unanimously 10 to adopt Oceana's approach to protect 960,495 square kilometers of seafloor from destructive bottom trawling, a commercial fishing practice that drags heavy nets across the ocean bottom, destroying nearly everything in its path. The vote included 380 square kilometers banned to all bottom gear contact in the deep-sea coral and sponge gardens in the Aleutian Islands, and 7,156 square kilometers of seafloor in the Gulf of Alaska banned to bottom trawling.
"This is one of the great challenges of our age. How do we catch fish without destroying the very habitat they depend upon to survive? The Council decision is right in line with the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommendations to consider the ecosystem when making management decisions. It is a good day for Alaska's corals." Jim Ayers, Oceana's director for the Pacific Region.
"This decision shows the importance of using science to save unique and essential ocean sites, such as the seafloor in the Aleutian Islands, one of our nation's marine jewels. Now we need the other fishery management councils to take similar steps. Those of us who work to save the oceans have much to celebrate today. In any struggle there is a key moment, a turning point: today was such a day. This is a visionary decision for which future generations will give thanks." David Allison, director of Oceana's campaign to Stop Destructive Trawling
Aleutian Islands Deep-Sea Coral Gardens: A National Treasure
Supporting more than 450 species of fish, millions of seabirds hailing from all seven continents, 25 species of marine mammals, and unique lush coral gardens, the Aleutian Islands Archipelago is a national treasure. The same productivity that has supported the Aleut people for centuries is also the focus of large scale commercial fishing, and that kind of resource exploitation is not always compatible with sensitive habitat or sustainable oceans."The Aleut people have lived for centuries off the bounty of the sea," said George Pletnikoff, an Aleut fisherman. "My grandfather told me stories of oceans full of life. I hope those stories become reality again for my grandchildren instead of fading into legends. We need to always keep the long-term vision of prospering oceans. The Council action to limit bottom trawling and protect our seafloor is a huge step in the right direction. Ensuring sustainable fisheries ensures the stability of our culture and communities."
