Fishable Waters, Edible Fish
By Zeke Grader, Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s Associations, and California Coastkeeper Linda Sheehan

In Congress’ final hours in 2006, it reauthorized the nation’s primary fishery statute — the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act. This law asserts U.S. jurisdiction over a vast body of water stretching from 3 to 200 miles offshore and establishes federal fishery management authority.
This action was hailed by the Bush administration, members of Congress, fishing groups and the two national ocean commissions as a major step forward. The law ensures a more scientific approach to fisheries management in the ocean and sets a firm deadline to end over fishing.

Despite the hoopla, however, serious problems remain in the effort to ensure an ample supply of fish in ocean waters. Laws, after all, are just words unless there is the political will and funds available to implement and enforce them. The Magnuson-Stevens Act, which is a 20-year old law, already had a prohibition on over fishing that was not adequately enforced. Congress and the administration fail to spend the money needed for fish population research and enforcement, making it difficult, if not impossible, to establish seasons and quotas for sustainable fishing.

And a huge gap in federal protection remains: no law takes a comprehensive approach to making sure there are not only enough fish, but that the fish are also safe to eat. If we are to have fishable waters and edible fish, we will need to invoke the Magnuson-Stevens and Clean Water Acts, plus state laws that regulate polluted runoff, a major source of fish contamination that the Clean Water Act virtually ignores. A close collaboration of Waterkeepers and fishermen in this effort will preserve this nation’s great fishing heritage and access to a healthy bounty from our waters.