NEWSRELEASE Thu, 8 Feb 2001
Three-year moratorium on grizzly hunting announced
VANCOUVER,- Grizzly bear hunting in British Columbia
will be halted for the next three years while scientists assess B.C.'s grizzly bear population and provide expert conservation advice to the government, Premier Ujjal Dosanjh and Environment, Lands and Parks Minister Ian Waddell announced today.
"My government has taken a prudent conservation decision to protect and sustain grizzly bears in B.C.," said Dosanjh. "Our wildlife staff have managed grizzly bear hunting well, but given the diversity of expert opinion on grizzly populations, we're declaring a three-year
moratorium on grizzly bear hunting to gather better information."
"We expect this action will improve our understanding of the status and management of grizzly bears in B.C.," said Environment, Lands and Parks Minister Ian Waddell. "Given that British Columbia has 25 per cent of all grizzlies in the world, we want to make sure they thrive here for
years to come."
Over the next three years, a panel of experts comprising government and non-government scientists will assess information on the numbers of grizzly bears in B.C., comment on management practices, and report back to government. The province plans to name the panel in March.
Government will provide funding for the panel's operations, enhanced research and comprehensive grizzly inventory. Government will also work with guide-outfitters, First Nations and others to mitigate impacts of the moratorium.
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EVERGLADES UPDATE: $1.4 billion was approved in
2000 as the first instalment for a 36-year plan
to restore the Everglades.
The project will be the largest environmental
restoration project in the world, and will help
ensure survival of the endangered American
crocodile and Florida panther.
In addition, the Clinton administration rejected
the plan to develop the former Homestead Air Force
Base in Florida into a commercial airport three
days before he left office.
Down with the Dams: A much stronger salmon
recovery plan was released Dec. 2000 after more
than 200,000 letters were sent in support of
the endangered Pacific Northwest salmon.
The final plan included specific goals for
salmon recovery and recommended dam breaching
in five years if the goals aren't met. In the
meantime, there is still trucking salmon
around the dams.
OVERFISHED FISH SPECIES
NORTH AMERICAN WATERS
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
North Atlantic Swordfish
Mako Shark
Porbeagle Shark
Hammerhead Sharks
Sandbar Shark
Blacktip Shark
White Marlin
Blue Marlin
Weakfish
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Pollock
Atlantic Halibut
Redfish
Haddock
Yellowtail Flounder
American Lobster
Summer Flounder
Bluefish
Red Porgy
Black Sea Bass
Nassau Grouper
Red Snapper
Red Drum
Gulf King Mackerel
Coho Salmon
Chinook (or King) Salmon, many races
Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic Sturgeon
Gulf of Maine Cod
Gulf of Maine Winter Flounder
The 75-page report to Congress, "Status of Fisheries in the United States," lists by region all the overfished species, and can be found on the Web at: http://kingfish.ssp.nmfs.gov/sfa/. Alternatively you
could request a copy of the report from George Darcy (301) 713-2341,but NMFS' supplies are limited.
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