NOAA prohibits the exploitation of mollusks

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced a final law that prohibits conventional harvesting in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off California, Oregon, and Washington. This law will take effect on August 12, 2009. Molluscs are small shrimp-like crustaceans and a significant source of nutrition for the marine food web.

Mark Helvey, who is responsible for managing fishing within the limits allowed by the Southwest Catching Authority, said: 'Mollusk is the foundation for marine ecosystems. Protecting this important food source will help protect and preserve other marine resources and legitimize federal regulations in the West Coast states. '

In the states of California, Oregon and Washington currently have regulations prohibiting mollusk mining within 3 miles offshore, but there are no similar federal regulations in the region of 3 to 200 miles of EEZ.

Mollusks convert phytoplankton into a food source for many species and are a major source of food for many fish, seabirds and mammalian marine animals. (Photo: Jamie Hall)

The ban on mollusk exploitation is Amendment No. 12 of the Marine Fisheries Management Plan (FMP), developed by the Pacific Marine Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) under the Management Act and Magnuson-Stevens marine life conservation. The first ban on mollusk exploitation was submitted to PFMC and the National Marine Life Conservation Office of the NOAA Marine Biological Fisheries Authority. The law applies Amendment 12 to FMP, and aims to preserve an important nutritional link in California's marine ecosystem.

William Douros, director of the west coast area of ​​NOAA's National Marine Life Conservation Office, said: 'This is a great success in the effort to protect the entire California marine ecosystem. This decision reflects the joint efforts of NOAA and the determination to address issues raised by the Pacific Marine Fisheries Management Council and the Conservation Advisory Council. '

Amend 12 to bring all krill into a new list of 'forbidden species' . This new group is not prohibited to be caught or exploited by any fishery or entity within the EEZ. Krill plays an important role because they convert phytoplankton into a food source for many marine species and are also a major food source for many fish, seabirds and mammalian marine animals. Some species, relying on mollusks as the main food source, are on the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.