The law governing America's marine fisheries, called the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, is currently being reauthorized in Congress. Your senator's vote on the future of our nation's fisheries is critical.

We need strong leaders to protect our nation's fish stocks and the long-term survival of the fishing industry jobs that depend on them. Unfortunately, some New England senators are trying to weaken strong overfishing provisions in the original bill in favor of short-term benefits to the corporate fishing industry. Please urge your senator to eliminate the damaging language being put forth by special interests.

If we can strike this provision, the bill stands to strengthen conservation efforts and will make major improvements for marine ecosystem management. Tell your senator to take action today.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

This is a critical time for the health of our oceans. As Congress reauthorizes the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the law governing U.S. fisheries, your leadership is vital for ensuring that our ocean ecosystems are protected and that marine fishery management is improved. Ocean scientists and other experts are urging Congress to strengthen the law in order to ensure long-term sustainability of fish populations and oceans. A strong and conservation-minded MSA is crucial for the sake of healthy oceans and the communities that depend on them.

Some interests are asking Congress to weaken existing conservation requirements in the MSA. Specifically, some New England senators are trying to weaken the strong overfishing provisions in the original bill by introducing an amendment that would allow continued fishing at unsustainable rates. The original language sets annual catch limits and includes enforceability to ensure that those limits are not exceeded. We need your continued leadership on this issue. Therefore, I urge you to support any effort to eliminate or strike the weakening amendment proposed by some New England senators.

I respectfully ask you to do all you can to support strengthening the MSA during this reauthorization. Thank you for your consideration.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
February 13, 2006