White House Council on Environmental Quality Statement Regarding the Ocean Policy Task Force and Recreational Fishing

White House Council on Environmental Quality Statement
Regarding the Ocean Policy Task Force and Recreational Fishing

WASHINGTON, DC-- Christine Glunz, White House Council on Environmental Quality Spokesperson, issued the following statement today regarding the Ocean Policy Task Force draft reports and how they relate to the recreational fishing community:

“The draft reports issued by the Ocean Policy Task Force involved extensive stakeholder input and public participation as they were being prepared, which included the interests of conservationists and the recreational fishing community.  These draft reports are not map-drawing exercises, they do not contain a zoning plan, and they do not establish any restrictions on recreational fishing or on public access, nor make any judgments about whether one ocean activity or use is better than another.

“The Ocean Policy Task Force sincerely appreciates the conservation activities of recreational users, who have a long history of actively participating in the stewardship of the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.  The Task Force strongly believes in the ability of recreational fishermen and women to continue to enjoy these activities that are critical to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of our country.  In fact, one of our main goals is to ensure healthier ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes, which will benefit all recreational activities and the communities and economies that rely on them.”

The draft Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force reports are available online at www.whitehouse.gov/oceans.

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