Posted: Thursday, October 29, 2009
Fishermen and environmental groups are asking Congressman Peter
DeFazio to put the brakes on federal plans for individual fishing
quotas. KLCC’s Rachael McDonald reports on a rally held in Eugene
today.
A small group of people gathered in the rain at noon at Broadway
Plaza to protest catch share fishery management programs, also
known as individual quotas. Blaire Bowie with Food Water Watch
says the program could give control over fisheries to only a handful
of private individuals or companies. Bowie wants Congressman
DeFazio, who is on the natural resources committee, to request
oversight hearings on federal catch share programs.
Bowie: “He’s always known to stand up for the little guy when
there’s big corporate money forcing people out of jobs or hurting
our environment. So we’re hoping he’ll be a champion on this issue
and we know that he’s on the right side.”
Bowie is hoping DeFazio will get 100 calls in support of oversight
hearings. Food and Water Watch is joined by the Pacific Coastal
Federation of Fishermen’s Associations in opposing individual fishing
quotas.
Copyright 2009 KLCC.