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Fishing Banned in Melting Arctic

Federal panel moves to block trawlers from newly accessible waters

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 6, 2009 5:07 AM CST

(Newser) – A federal panel has voted to block fishing trawlers from moving into a vast area of the Arctic Sea made newly accessible by melting ice, the New York Times reports. The move will protect 150,000 square nautical miles of US waters north of the Bering Strait while scientists assess commercial fishing's impact on the ecosystem.

The fishing industry and marine conservation groups both backed the move, which they say is the first time the US has acted to protect a fishery before its collapse. An industry spokesman said commercial fishermen hope the moratorium will be a model for a wider agreement on management of the Arctic. Indigenous people in the affected area will be allowed to continue fishing as they always have.

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The Coast Guard Cutter Healy breaks ice to support scientific research in the Arctic Ocean near Barrow, Alaska. (AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard, Prentice Danner)

The prohibition on commercial fishing in the Arctic is to remain in place until scientists can determine its effect on the fragile ecosystem. (Shutter Stock)

A federal panel has voted to ban commercial fishing from 150,000 square nautical miles north of the Bering Strait. (Shutter Stock)

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This will close the Arctic to all commercial fishing. This is the beginning of a concept of large protected marine areas. - Jim Ayers, vice-president of marine conservation group Oceana

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Fishing Banned in Melting Arctic