PCFFA Joins Forces with Fishing Groups to Oppose Offshore Monuments

Over 40 commercial and recreational fishing groups in California, including the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association, working in conjunction with the National Coalition for Fishing Communities, have submitted a letter to the White House, Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior, and NOAA officials. The letter voices their opposition to the proposed designation of almost all Pacific seamounts, ridges, and banks (SRBs) as marine monuments–which would permanently close almost all of the SRBs to commercial fishing if enacted by an executive order from President Obama under the Antiquities Act. Some of the areas in question are critical fishing grounds for swordfish, tuna, spiny lobster, albacore, and bonito, among others. Closing the fisheries could have dire economic consequences for fishermen, processors, and other businesses. The letter alleges that no National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis was done on the proposed designations, nor any meaningful peer-reviewed scientific analysis or public engagement. It also points out the value of fish as a healthy, renewable food source, and highlights California’s strict fisheries-management practices already in place. Further, the coalition alleges that unilateral action under the Antiquities Act would directly contravene the transparent and public process required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the President’s National Ocean Policy Plan.