OCEAN COMMISSION REPORT CARD CITES MODEST IMPROVEMENTS

The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative today released its annual U.S.
Ocean Policy Report Card, highlighting notable progress in state and
regional efforts at ocean policy reform and in efforts to ratify the
Law of the Sea Convention.

National Fisheries Institute (NFI) President John Connelly said,
From Capitol Hill to the State Department NFI has been working with a
broad delegation in support of Law of the Sea. Once the Convention is
ratified, the U.S. will be able join the international body that
maintains the rules for sustainable global ocean resource use,
including fisheries. This will help level the playing field for our
industry interests.

According to the commission, as a result of 2007s fisheries
management efforts, fewer stocks [were] overfished or experiencing
overfishing.

It is our industrys goal to provide American families with healthy
seafood now, while at the same time conserving plenty for future
generations, Connelly said. The bottom line is that if a fish is in
the store or on the menu today, then there is enough stock to meet
consumer demand. This is more evidence of our commitment to
sustainability.

Also noted in the report card was its assessment of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Commission suggests
that NOAA is underfunded and behind schedule in its work developing
fisheries regulations. However, the Commission goes on in the report to
encourage the creation of a new federal marine management entity as
part of the Ocean Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for
21st Century Act (OCEANS 21).

NFI remains convinced that the road to progress is not paved with
unnecessary federal bureaucracy, Connelly said. We believe it is
important that NOAA and the National Marines Fisheries Service are
fully funded so they can most effectively carry out their management
and sustainably mission.

For more than 60 years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI)
and its members have provided American families with the variety of
sustainable seafood essential to a healthy diet. For more information
visit: www.AboutSeafood.com.

Contact Information

Gavin Gibbons
(703) 752-8891