Post by Karen R Quinn on Aug 26, 2009 13:54:41 GMT -7
Hi Critterville Citizens,
Western Atlantic bluefin tuna are in deep peril. This amazing fish -- which is as fast as 43 MPH and weighs up to 1,500 pounds -- is in danger of becoming extinct within 10 years.
Save the bluefin tuna: www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/674667527?z00m=19785734
Rampant commercial fishing has reduced the mature population of this fish by 80 percent since 1970. Despite this, the federal government is proposing to increase the catch in the Gulf of Mexico, the only known spawning area for bluefin tuna in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico targeting swordfish and yellowfin tuna deploy up to 40 miles of long-lines in the water with hundreds of baited hooks attached. During the 10 hours each day these long-lines are fishing, species that are supposed to be protected in the Gulf of Mexico -- including bluefin tuna, marlins and sea turtles -- are caught and killed.
Instead of eliminating this wasteful fishing gear, the Federal government is proposing to allow commercial fishermen to kill and sell more bluefin tuna, despite the fact that their population is at the lowest levels on record. Other less wasteful fishing gear is available to catch swordfish and yellowfin tuna that will not jeopardize the future existence of bluefin tuna.
Demand that the National Marine Fisheries Service must stop the use of long-lines in the Gulf of Mexico to catch swordfish and yellowfin tuna.
From Care2
Thank you,
LiAnna
Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team
Take action link: www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFpqd/zJoJ/ohXK
Western Atlantic bluefin tuna are in deep peril. This amazing fish -- which is as fast as 43 MPH and weighs up to 1,500 pounds -- is in danger of becoming extinct within 10 years.
Save the bluefin tuna: www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/674667527?z00m=19785734
Rampant commercial fishing has reduced the mature population of this fish by 80 percent since 1970. Despite this, the federal government is proposing to increase the catch in the Gulf of Mexico, the only known spawning area for bluefin tuna in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico targeting swordfish and yellowfin tuna deploy up to 40 miles of long-lines in the water with hundreds of baited hooks attached. During the 10 hours each day these long-lines are fishing, species that are supposed to be protected in the Gulf of Mexico -- including bluefin tuna, marlins and sea turtles -- are caught and killed.
Instead of eliminating this wasteful fishing gear, the Federal government is proposing to allow commercial fishermen to kill and sell more bluefin tuna, despite the fact that their population is at the lowest levels on record. Other less wasteful fishing gear is available to catch swordfish and yellowfin tuna that will not jeopardize the future existence of bluefin tuna.
Demand that the National Marine Fisheries Service must stop the use of long-lines in the Gulf of Mexico to catch swordfish and yellowfin tuna.
From Care2
Thank you,
LiAnna
Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team
Take action link: www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFpqd/zJoJ/ohXK