Fish and fishermen get no respect from the Bush administration

摘要

Last month, the Bush administration responded to the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, a task force made up of 16 presidential appointees who spent nearly three years studying the nation's coastlines and oceans. Fortunately, thisresponse was required by law, because the administration has remained largely silent on marine fisheries issues to date. Unfortunately, the response failed to support the management reform measures advocated by the commission (appointed by President Bush) to maintain healthy marine fish populations over time. It's worth noting the composition of the commission — all were business and industry representatives, military leaders, and scientists. Not a single representative from a conservation group served on the commission.