A Victory At
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Solutions Vol. 34, No. 1 January-February 2003 A victory at sea High stakes ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE PLAYS LEAD ROLE battles IN SAVING AN UNDERWATER WILDERNESS ahead 3 undreds of fishermen, environmen- brated as “America’s Galapagos,” had Htalists and local residents crammed been fully protected. into a tension-filled meeting hall in San- The Channel Islands are among ta Barbara, CA. Some carried placards, just a handful of places in the world Companies others wore buttons expressing solidarity. where cold and warm currents collide, tackle global They were all hoping to influence a deci- creating a rich diversity of marine life. warming 4 sion last October on a proposed network Over the past few decades, however, of marine reserves around the Channel white abalone, angel sharks and other Islands. KAPPENSTEIN species that once thrived At one point, Santa Barbara here have declined. Sev- Taking up Ventura angler Steve eral species of rockfish John Muir’s Roberson made an have been reduced to 10% last battle 7 impassioned plea to of their historic abun- fellow fishermen: dance, mostly due to ex- “We’ve got to bite the cessive fishing. bullet, guys. I love to Such declines con- fish. I want to fish for Channel Islands vinced many commercial Can the Army National Marine Sanctuary Corps change the rest of my life, and fishermen to put aside a network of marine reserves will allow their differences and work with Environ- its ways? 8 me to do it.” mental Defense and others to negotiate a In a landmark decision the solution. California Fish and Game Commission Our marine ecologist Dr. Rod Fu- The next approved 12 “no-take” zones, putting jita was the first to assemble the science step: Buy 24% of state waters within the Channel showing that West Coast marine reserves Islands sanctuary off limits to fishing. Please see Cover Story, page 2 recycled 10 This victory, which was preceded by two years of heated debate, will pro- Organic: tect marine habitats and allow depleted species to More than recover. The New York just a label 12 Times called it “an impor- tant step forward.” Environmental De- Where we stand 2 fense played a lead role in all aspects of creating the Mailbag 3 new reserves. “This rep- resents a huge change in Regional update 6 how marine ecosystems are managed,” says our News briefs 9 marine conservation Action center 11 advocate Richard Char- Muench Marc ter. Previously, less than Cavorting in an undersea forest, these sea lions are part of one 1% of the sanctuary, cele- of the continent’s richest ecosystems. WHERE WE STAND By Fred Krupp, President Why we can’t give in to global warming When President The bad news is that the adminis- an Arctic without permafrost or Bush ditched the tration is attempting to scuttle the treaty. oceans without coral reefs. Kyoto Protocol in At the recent climate meeting in New President Bush argues that the March 2001, many Delhi, U.S. officials argued against Kyoto treaty will harm the U.S. predicted the developing countries committing to economy. He should listen to busi- treaty was dead, ness leaders who say inaction on along with hopes ‒‒‒‒‒ global warming will undermine of addressing On climate change, the their long-term competitiveness global warming. and damage America’s standing Thankfully, the rest of the world administration has gone abroad. As members of our Part- resolved that climate change is too from denial to resignation. nership for Climate Change have dangerous to ignore. Ninety-five proven, multiple strategies exist for nations have ratified the treaty, in- ––––– curbing greenhouse gas emissions cluding most industrialized coun- reduce emissions and advocated adapt- without slowing growth. tries, which have committed to ing to global warming. How ironic that in The development of cleaner reduce their emissions. With Rus- such a brief time the administration has technology is an opportunity, not a sia’s ratification expected soon, the gone from skepticism to resignation. peril. Those nations that position pact will go into force. The buildup of greenhouse gases their economies to help provide for Then, the protocol’s cap-and- is cumulative, so some climate change a safer environment will do well by trade framework will “switch on,” is inevitable. We do need to take steps doing good. launching a new global market to to adapt. But that hardly means we spur innovation and investment in should declare defeat and accept a reducing emissions. Good news. world that’s biologically impoverished, COVER STORY: Science comes to the aid of fisheries Continued from page1 boost fish populations dramatically. He fisherman who participated in the negotia- Benchley, a member of our national and our consultant Dr. Astrid Scholz tions. “There was a lot of give and take.” council. “Today, we have the power to then broadened the eco- To mobilize the destroy the oceans, and we have the nomic debate to include community, we formed a power to save them.” consideration of long-term coalition of divers and impacts on fisheries and local groups and created other benefits such as eco- a citizens’ guide to tourism and diving. reserves. Joining fishermen and Federal officials regulators around a table, will now decide whether Solutions we helped map out the re- to expand the reserves Editor: Peter Klebnikov serve boundaries. Using a into federal waters. An Environmental Defense, 257 Park Avenue Geographic Information enlarged reserve system South, New York, NY 10010. Main number 212- 505-2100. System (GIS) computer could eventually encom- Membership questions: Call 800-684-3322 or model, we were able to pass 426 square miles, email [email protected] locate important kelp beds making it the largest Mailbag: Mail to address above, call 800-242- and rocky reefs that are pre- County James II/Ventura Star Glover complex of marine re- 3251 or email [email protected] ferred fish habitat. “Our Fax attack: Our Action serves in the continental ©2003 Environmental Defense. Published objective was to stay true to Network deluged state offi- United States. The largest bimonthly at New York, NY. ASSN 0163-2566 cials with 13,000 letters on our ecological goals, while is now the Dry Tortugas New York • Washington • Oakland limiting the short-term eco- the Channel Islands. in the Florida Keys. Boulder • Raleigh • Austin • Boston Project office: Los Angeles nomic impact on fishermen,” says Fujita. “For too long, the ocean has been “Environmental Defense listened used as an infinite resource and bot- Online at www.environmentaldefense.org well,” notes Harry Liquornik, an abalone tomless dump,” says Jaws author Peter 2 Environmental Defense Solutions Member 25 Main Street Anytown, NY 11199 Environmental Defense 257 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10003 MAILBAG Washington watch Dear Editor: Special interests take aim at key I am a veterinarian and was shocked, when I first began prac- environmental protections tice, that feed stores and catalogs offer anyone medication. Are clean air and water endangered? National Environmental Policy Act Often today, feed stores are Special interests may press Congress This crucial law requires public review really drug stores that also sell this year to undo bedrock environ- of federal projects. Road builders claim feed. Whoever happens to be work- mental protections. that these requirements cause delays. ing at the counter gives out advice Environmental Defense will We will block any efforts to silence on the correct dose to use. Frus- stand with our allies to fend off these public input. trated owners often switch rapidly attacks. We’ll also continue working back and forth between antibiotics with both parties to gain new ground Endangered Species Act or use enormous extra-label doses for which there is no data regard- in reducing global-warming emissions. New committee chairs in Congress ing safety. It won’t be easy. Jim Inhofe, an may try to weaken the act and remove Animals that fail to recover are Oklahoma Republican with a zero key protections for rare species. We’ll quickly shipped to slaughter. When rating from the League of Conserva- defend safeguards. that happens, the medication has tion voters, is taking over the Senate The good news is we’ve built not had enough time to be cleared environment commit- bipartisan alliances, from the muscle tissue, meaning tee. “We need to be Seeking allies at which will bolster our that people may consume meat innovative and build defenses. We’ll also rely with more antibiotics than is new coalitions while the state level on states and on newly deemed safe. supporting maneuvers installed progressive I appreciate your recent article on antibiotics in agriculture, but my such as filibusters to block regressive governors to break new ground. experience with large-animal medi- bills,” says our legislative director “Progress in the states will cine leads me to believe that the Elizabeth Thompson. show our allies in Congress that you current situation is even worse. Not Here’s a look at key battles: can both limit pollution and grow only does it encourage animal suf- the economy,” says Thompson. fering, it also plays a significant role Energy Bill in antibiotic resistance. How you can help: New committee leaders will resurrect You can act on up-to-the-minute news an energy bill that does nothing to from Washington by signing up for our G. Eric Wheelis, DVM reduce dependence on oil, subsidizes action alerts at www.environmen- Jefferson, NC taldefense.org/action. Sign up today and ask dirty industries and opens the Arctic your representatives to oppose an energy bill National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. that will lead to greater pollution. We’ll work to stop this bill in its tracks.