finning of sharks at sea Subject: FYI - Please send a similar letter of support July 26, 2001 Dr. Rebecca Lent Regional Administrator Southwest Region National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 501 W. Ocean Boulevard Suite 4200 Long Beach, California 90802 Dear Dr. Lent: The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is a national 501(c)(4) non-profit political action organization whose mission is to safeguard the rights of salt water anglers, protect marine, boat, and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation's marine fisheries. As such, we played an instrumental role in the passage of legislation to ban the finning of sharks at sea. We are pleased to note that the proposed rule would prohibit any person under U.S. jurisdiction from engaging in shark finning, or possessing shark fins, or landing shark fins without the corresponding carcasses in waters seaward of the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ. The NMFS proposed rule seems true to the intent of the legislation, and as such, RFA supports the proposed rule. RFA members are concerned that congressional intent of the legislation may be diluted in the final rule – and the implementation of the regulations by the NMFS. It is clear that the finning of sharks, which has led to a population decline of these long-lived species, and a slow agonizing death for the finned shark, is a cruel and unnecessary practice. Congress recognized this and passed legislation to stop the practice. Please take any actions necessary to ensure that the final rule stays true to congressional intent. Thank you for your consideration of the views of the thousands and thousands of RFA members who have weighed in on this important matter. Sincerely, James A. Donofrio Executive Director |
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| Scientists reported a 90 percent decline in large predatory fish | |
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