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The oceans are in trouble and need our help! Please take a moment to send a letter to your elected official asking them to reject a backwards-setting bill that would handicap the ability of states to responsibly conserve ocean ecosystems. This bill, known as the "Freedom to Fish Act" puts the interests of high-end power boat manufacturers above the need for responsible ocean conservation. A letter from you will help educate decision-makers about what is needed to protect ocean ecosystems.

Please take a moment to:

Send a letter to your Congressional Representative about H.R. 2890 and S. 2244
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February 09, 2010

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Dear Legislator: I am writing to let you know of my concern about HR 2890 and S. 2244, the so-called "Freedom to Fish Act" (FFA). These bills are being considered by Congress and I urge you to not co-sponsor and to vote against these bills. I believe this legislation, if enacted, would interfere with responsible management of our nation's ocean resources and would be a significant step backwards for national environmental policy. As you know, our ocean waters are held by the federal government as a public trust that must be managed responsibly for the benefit of all citizens. All citizens benefit from public resources, but no one has the right to use those resources to the detriment of others. These bills would impede the ability of the federal government to manage ocean resources by tying up in red tape the process for conserving ocean resources through the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs). More specifically, the bills attempt to block the creation of a special subset of MPAs known as "marine reserves" or "fully protected areas," where all extractive activities, including fishing, are prohibited as part of a common sense approach to allowing struggling fish populations and ocean ecosystems to recover and thrive. These bills are nothing more than an industry protection bill for manufacturing companies of large, multi-million dollar power boats. HR 2890 and S. 2244 will only serve a special interest that wants to promote its own agenda at the expense of the interests of all Americans. Over 40 environmental groups in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, California and Washington have opposed state bills like HR 2890 and S. 2244. Marine Conservation scientists have sent letters to the Governors of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and South Carolina expressing their concern about the state bills. The two recent reports of the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Ocean Commission urge Congress to enact management reforms to improve the protection of our nation?s coastal and ocean resources and ecosystems. By enacting HR 2890 and S. 2244, Congress would be seen as taking a major step backwards when it comes to responsible management of ocean resources. I respectfully ask that you reject these bills and instead support positive, pro-active legislation that improves ocean protection.
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