Fisheries bill inadequate

Science, Vol 309, Issue 5744, 2146-2147 , 30 September 2005 10.1126/science.309.5744.2146a]

Carolyn Gramling in Science notes that the pending fisheries management reauthorization bill would set a 2-year deadline for halting catches of species clearly identified as overfished, permit regional fisheries councils to consider a whole-ecosystem approach to management, and create opportunities for scientists to become more involved in fisheries decision-making.  Critics note that the bill does not advance ecosystem management of the ocean, does not require authorities to use the scientific advice they are offered, andl actually relaxes the existing mandate that overfished stocks be off-limits and allowed to rebuild for 10 years.  Fisheries Management Reauthorization