Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


2

Fishing Banned in Melting Arctic

Federal panel moves to block trawlers from newly accessible waters

Share

(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.

The Coast Guard Cutter Healy breaks ice to support scientific research in the Arctic Ocean near Barrow, Alaska.
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.
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.
A federal panel has voted to ban commercial fishing from 150,000 square nautical miles north of the Bering Strait.   (Shutter Stock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
2 comments
VIEWING:
 
Ryan
Feb 6, 09 10:58 AM CST
Where's the obligatory photo of a drowning polar bear? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Forderon
Feb 6, 09 11:50 AM CST
Oh you're a Republican and you don't believe in global warming on priniciple without having any proof otherwise? How original! Seriously, you people should be treated like Holocaust deniers.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

248 Stories

 Climate Skeptics: 
 Hacked Emails 
 Prove We're Right 

Scientist talks about adding a 'trick' to graph

Nov 21, 09 10:37 AM CST
(Newser) - Hackers have gotten their hands on a trove of emails from leading climate scientists, and global warming skeptics are rejoicing. They say the emails prove the crisis is overblown and are crowing about one in particular, from 1999, in which a scientist plans to add a "trick" to a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
climate change • global warming • email • scientists • skeptics • hacking

 Globe on Course for 'Worst-Case' Temp Hike

6 degree rise predicted if Copenhagen deal fails

Nov 18, 09 4:08 AM CST
(Newser) - The worst-case scenario for climate change is getting closer to becoming reality, a group of climate scientists warned yesterday. World temperatures are on course to rise an average of 6 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, according to the Global Carbon Project researchers. Experts believe a temperature rise... More »

MORE ABOUT:
climate change • global warming • carbon emissions • Copenhagen climate change conference

Break Stuff to Save the Planet: Gore

Former VP endorses civil disobedience against climate change

Nov 6, 09 4:15 PM CST
(Newser) - Al Gore says nonviolent disruption of polluters and airports is justified considering the grave threat posed by climate change. "Civil disobedience has an honorable history, and when the urgency and moral clarity cross a certain threshold, then I think that civil disobedience is quite understandable, and it has a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
climate change • Al Gore • global warming • Copenhagen • civil disobedience • US Senate • Copenhagen climate change conference

248 Stories


Global warming spurs fishing moratorium
Seattle Times

WWF hails 'courageous and ethical move'
WWF

Conservationists call for 'national park' on ice
Wired


Science & Health  •  Business 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
climate change • global warming • fishing • ice melt • Bering Strait • Arctic Sea • fishing ban • marine biology

from our news partners