SEATTLE-- The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) voted today to prevent the expansion of industrial fishing into all U.S. waters north of the Bering Strait for the foreseeable future to limit stress on ocean ecosystems in light of the dramatic impacts of global climate change in the Arctic. With no large-scale commercial fishing in the U.S. Arctic at present this decision establishes one of the largest preventative and precautionary measures in fisheries management history.
"As goes the Arctic, so goes the planet. We must wake up and recognize that in reality, we are all on thin ice," said Jim Ayers, vice president of Oceana. "The Arctic Ocean is a unique place vital to the people in the region and the Earth's health. The NPFMC is leading the way toward a science-based precautionary approach and this action -- the largest of its kind -- is a model for management of our Arctic Ocean."
Climate change is causing the Arctic to warm twice as fast as the rest of the planet, leading to a dramatic reduction of ice cover. The loss of sea ice threatens not only the Arctic, but the rest of the planet as the Arctic plays a critical role in global weather and climate patterns. In addition, melting sea ice opens previously ice-covered waters to new industrial activities. Scientists, conservationists and local Arctic communities have expressed concern that additional strain from industrial activities like large-scale commercial fishing, shipping, or oil and gas development could overwhelm Arctic ecosystems.
"Protecting our Arctic waters from a rush of commercial development is a wise move. The cumulative effect of commercial fishing and shipping, as well as open-ended oil and gas development could be devastating to this highly fragile system if not done correctly," said Josh Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group. "Rarely are we given a chance to put an area's value as an ecosystem ahead of its commercial potential. Too often we get it wrong by depleting resources first and then backpedaling to return a place to its former grandeur."
. The National Marine Fisheries Service is expected to approve the Council's decision and issue final regulations to protect the Arctic later this year, after a public comment period. Swift approval by the Obama Administration will place the United States in a leadership role in Arctic conservation, and will send a very important signal to other countries with Arctic territory and other fisheries management bodies around the globe.
Audubon Alaska, Oceana, Ocean Conservancy and the Pew Environment Group are partnered with scientists, local Arctic communities, and fishermen to call for a science-based, precautionary approach before any industrial fishing activities are allowed to expand into the Arctic Ocean.
"Much of the Arctic food web is linked to a handful of fish species, such as the Arctic cod. We don't want to add the effects of commercial fisheries while the entire ecosystem is changing due to global warming," said Stan Senner, executive director of Audubon Alaska.
Pew Environment Group
www.pewarcticoceans.org
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