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Skriven 2007-01-12 23:31:18 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0701121) for Fri, 2007 Jan 12
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Fact Sheet: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Reauthorization Act
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 12, 2007

Fact Sheet: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Reauthorization Act



Today, President Bush Signed The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation And
Management Reauthorization Act Of 2006.ÿBy signing this bill, the President
reaffirmed our commitment to protect America's fisheries and keep our
commercial and recreational fishing communities strong.ÿThis Act will end
over-fishing in America, help us replenish our Nation's fish stocks, and
advance international cooperation and ocean stewardship.ÿÿ
  þ The Signing Of The Magnuson-Stevens Act Completes A Goal From The
    Administration's 2004 Ocean Action Plan  And Caps Two Years Of
    Accomplishment In Ocean Conservation.ÿ In 2004, the Administration
    released its Ocean Action Plan to promote an ethic of responsible use
    and stewardship of our ocean and coastal resources.ÿ Since its release,
    the plan has produced good results:
      þ Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument: In June
        2006, President Bush signed a proclamation establishing the
        Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, the largest
        single conservation area in the history of our country.
      þ Gulf Coast Regional Plan: The Administration worked with the five
        Gulf Coast states in their effort to establish a regional plan 
        released in March 2006  to enhance water quality and protect our
        coastal habitats.ÿ
      þ U.N. Resolution To Stop Destructive Fishing Practices On The High
        Seas: In November 2006, America worked with other countries on a
        new U.N. resolution to help stop destructive fishing practices on
        the high seas.
      þ Conservation Plan For The Dry Tortugas: In December 2006, the
        Administration finalized its work with the State of Florida to
        create a conservation plan for the Dry Tortugas  an important
        nature preserve in the Florida Keys.
      þ Additional Legislation: In December 2006, the President signed into
        law a bill to create the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National
        Historic Trail and a bill to help identify and prevent marine
        debris.
      þ Advancing Research: The Administration developed a ten-year Ocean
        Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy to guide
        science and technology development.
      þ Promoting Ocean Literacy: In June 2006, the White House supported a
        Conference on Ocean Literacy concerning the ocean's importance to
        our national heritage, economy, and security.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act Builds On The Administration's Progress
Implementing Its Ocean Action Plan
 1. The Act Sets A Firm Deadline To End Over-Fishing In America By
    2011.ÿOver-fishing occurs when more fish from a species are caught than
    is sustainable, endangering the species' long-term existence.ÿ This Act
    directs Regional Fishery Management Councils to establish annual quotas
    in Federally-managed fisheries to end over-fishing by 2010 for fish
    stocks currently undergoing over-fishing and by 2011 for all other
    Federally-managed fish stocks.
 1. The Act Uses Market-Based Incentives To Replenish America's Fish
    Stocks.ÿThe Act will help us double the number of limited-access
    privilege programs by the year 2010.ÿ Limited-access privilege programs
    assign specific shares of the annual harvest quota to eligible
    fishermen, fishing communities, and regional fishery associations.ÿ
    Increasing the number of these programs will end the race for fish,
    improve the quality of catches, and protect those who earn their
    livelihood from fishing.ÿ
 1. The Act Strengthens Enforcement Of America's Fishing Laws.ÿUnder the
    Act, those who break the law can lose their individual fishing quotas.ÿ
    The Act also expands cooperation between State and Federal officials to
    ensure our fishing laws are fully enforced, and it encourages the use
    of the latest technology in vessel-monitoring to aid in the real-time
    tracking of fishing boats.ÿ
 1. The Act Improves Information And Decisions About The State Of Ocean
    Ecosystems.ÿThe Act creates several programs to improve the quality of
    information used by fishery managers and establishes regional
    registries for recreational fishermen.ÿ It also provides for improved
    assessment of the effects of proposed fishery management actions
    through timely, clear, and concise analysis that is useful to decision
    makers and more effectively involves the public.

The Act Provides New Tools To Improve The Administration's Cooperative
Conservation Efforts.ÿThe President believes that to meet the environmental
challenges of the 21st century we must bring together conservationists,
fishermen, sportsmen, and business leaders in a spirit of cooperation, and
we must continue to listen to the needs of States, communities, and local
citizens. ÿThis Act promotes community-based efforts to restore local fish
habitats by helping Federal agencies partner with State and local
organizations.

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