The Law That's Saving American Fisheries - Ocean Conservancy

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Return on Investment Sustainability gives U.S. fishermen an edge in global markets and provides coastal communities with world-class sportfishing American fishermen enjoy a competitive edge in world markets because of strong and sustainable management policies. This advantage is reflected not only in jobs and economic returns at home but also in export gains, especially when overseas competitors stumble as a result of sustainability problems. On the recreational side, sound policies provide opportunities that enhance quality of life, generate business for coastal communities, and preserve the nation’s fishing heritage. U.S. ocean fish are a job-creating economic engine that is growing in value. The most recent federal economic data find that commercial and recreational fisheries provide 1.4 million American jobs and contribute $72 billion to the gross domestic product. 46 This value is higher than the total gross domestic product of 143 of the world’s countries. 47 Even better news is that U.S. fishery resources are becoming increasingly valuable as smart investments in sustainability are paying big dividends. What we gain from good management 1.4 million Full- and part-time American jobs $170 billion Total economic impact of public investment in fishery science and management $200 : $1 Economic returns generated per tax dollar invested The future is bright for America’s commercial fishing industry. The world population is growing and demanding more seafood, but the global supply is threatened by rampant overfishing, and 32 percent of the world’s marine fish are overexploited or depleted. 48 Even if other nations replicate our best practices and manage their fisheries more effectively, the market for sustainable seafood is growing. U.S. fishermen are capitalizing on the opportunity. The combination of legal and regulatory requirements under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and smart investments in sustainability are enabling the U.S. commercial fishing industry to catch more fish and get more value from the fish it sells. In 2010, commercial fishermen from coast to coast landed a total of 10.1 billion pounds of seafood, a 17-year high valued at $5.3 billion. 49 Since 2001, 32 U.S. ocean fish stocks have been rebuilt to healthy levels, including New England sea scallops, mid-Atlantic bluefish, Pacific lingcod, and summer flounder, providing a much-needed boost of jobs and revenue for coastal towns. These gains for the fishing industry touch many lives, from the families of boat captains and crews, to processors, seafood markets, and restaurants, and to a variety of small businesses that depend on purchases of fuel, ice, nets, and bait. U.S. fish producers are capturing new domestic markets as major retailers embrace purchasing policies that require them to source from fisheries with strong sustainability standards. At the same time, exports are rising. 50 American fishermen are even making inroads in China, where a growing middle class is rapidly creating one of the world’s largest consumer seafood markets. “U.S. aquatic exports to China increased 58 percent to $930 million in the first ten months of 2011” after a 24 percent gain in 2010, according to year-end reports on trade in fisheries products from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A major component of this increase was salmon, a largely successful fishery because of rigorous catch limits and in-season regulations in Alaska. NOAA 2012, 2011 32 It’s a Keeper
The gains are equally impressive in recreational fishing. In 2010, 10 million anglers made more than 69 million recreational fishing trips in America’s oceans, purchasing millions of dollars’ worth of gear, bait, and other supplies. 51 This trip count rivals the total attendance for Major League Baseball, which was just over 73 million that year. 52 The most recent federal economic data found that these angling trips and expenditures totaled $50 billion, generating an additional $23 billion in valueadded economic activity. 53 Recreational fishing creates economic ripples that generate income and jobs in businesses such as tackle and accessories production; boat manufacturing, sales and service; and travel and hospitality. The rebuilding of species important to sportfishermen such as salmon, swordfish, rockfishes, bluefish, snappers, and summer flounder adds value to the estimated earnings in the commercial sector. As a result of good management, many of these valuable fisheries have recovered from disaster. Today, they support high-profile recreational destinations that draw tourists from around the country and the world. Ocean fish also have great value beyond fishing and seafood. Fish populations are an integral part of the larger marine system, which includes corals, seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles—important living resources that provide ecological benefits as well as economic value for activities such as recreation and tourism. U.S. scuba divers take an estimated 1.7 million dive vacations each year, spending more than $4.1 billion in dive-related vacations annually. 54 According to an industry study, recreational scuba diving and snorkeling contribute about $11 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product and create 26,000 full-time tourism-related jobs. 55 These industries benefit from our world-class fishery management system. NOAA Fisheries estimates that the return on investment for rebuilding all overfished U.S. populations will be the addition of $31 billion to the economy and more than 500,000 jobs. 56 The future is full of promise if we remain vigilant in pursuing science-based management. U.S. fish populations are recovering, and the global seafood market is growing. America’s investment in top-notch fishery science and our commitment to a responsible management system that translates good science into enforceable conservation limits add billions of dollars to the economy, support hundreds of thousands of jobs, and contribute to the well-being of communities and the people who depend on a healthy coastal environment for their livelihood. Top 10 U.S. fisheries by value, 2010 Flatfish Cod Clams Halibut $146.2 $175.0 $200.6 $206.5 Pollock $291.9 Shrimp Lobster Scallops $413.9 $442.7 $456.6 Salmon Crabs $554.8 $572.7 $0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Millions of dollars The Law That’s Saving American Fisheries: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 33
Page 1: The Law That’s Saving American Fi
Page 4 and 5: Acknowledgments The Pew Charitable
Page 6 and 7: I. Introduction and summary Cod—s
Page 8 and 9: that support viable fisheries. Endi
Page 10 and 11: Clem Tillion lived through Alaska
Page 12 and 13: What made law and order suddenly at
Page 14 and 15: The 35-year bATTle to end overfishi
Page 16 and 17: III. Turning the corner on overfish
Page 18 and 19: The tools provided in the 2006 fede
Page 20 and 21: David Krebs, who fishes for red sna
Page 22 and 23: Rebuilding Our Nation’s Fisheries
Page 24 and 25: V. Innovators find ways to make the
Page 26 and 27: “Draggers have a bad reputation f
Page 28 and 29: fisheries. The idea has caught on:
Page 30 and 31: Bycatch standard proves magnet for
Page 32 and 33: Science-based catch limits help ens
Page 36 and 37: Al Burch Paying attention to scienc
Page 38 and 39: environment provides. These service
Page 40 and 41: Endnotes 1 Senator Warren G. Magnus
Page 42: For more information, contact: Lee

The Law That's Saving American Fisheries - Ocean Conservancy

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