Protecting ocean ecosystems: habitat protection under threat in New England.

• Position: PROGRESS REPORT

THE PROBLEM

Atlantic cod were once one of the most welt-known and prolific natural resources on the planet, but decades of overfishing and habitat decline have brought their population to an all-time low. So how has the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)--the agency in charge of stewarding America's fish--responded? By proposing, in early 2013, to open nearly 5,000 square miles of the best protected fish habitat--in the Gulf of Maine, southern New England, and Georges Bank--to destructive bottom trawling.

This proposal was the latest in a decades-long pattern of risky decision making by NMFS, which should be rebuilding and protecting threatened groundfish species, including cod, coastal haddock, and yellowtail flounder--but NMFS seems to be hastening the decline of those species instead.

CLF IN ACTION

CLF has worked for decades to overcome fisheries mismanagement that has depleted these once legendary fish populations. In May of 2013, CLF filed a lawsuit in federal court to challenge NMFS's shortsighted and damaging proposal. "These vitally important areas, such as Cashes Ledge, have been protected from the most damaging fishing gear for well over a decade," said Peter Shelley, Senior Counsel for CLF. "Allowing new bottom trawling on any part of Cashes Ledge would damage critical spawning and nursery areas and eliminate the few large breeding female cod that are needed to restore depleted fish populations."

PROGRESS

More than 90,000 people weighed in on the proposal during the public comment period--overwhelmingly condemning the plan for new bottom trawling. Scores of marine biologists and recreational and commercial fishermen also objected. In December, NMFS issued its final decision, temporarily reversing most of its ill-advised proposal. For now, NMFS will maintain year-round protected status for vital habitat in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. "This is an important step for sound fisheries management and ocean stewardship," said Shelley.

NEXT STEPS

This victory, however, may be only temporary. For the new fishing year, which starts on May 1, NMFS is making new access rule decisions that could again place much of...