Fishery Council Blocks Return of West Coast Longlines, Safeguarding Sea Turtles, Marine Mammals, and Sharks - Oceana

Victory | November 20, 2019

Fishery Council Blocks Return of West Coast Longlines, Safeguarding Sea Turtles, Marine Mammals, and Sharks

The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted overwhelmingly not to reopen pelagic longline fishing on the west coast of the United States. Pelagic longlining is a harmful fishing method that has been prohibited off the West Coast for decades and that have been to linked excessive bycatch of unintended species including marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, marlins and sharks. Despite this known danger to marine life, there was pressure on the Council to once again allow pelagic longline fishing on the high seas. This decision is a major win for the oceans. This victory came after decade long campaigning by Oceana and our allies – including birding and sportfishing communities, ecotourism operators, and Members of Congress.