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uscitizen
12-10-2006, 12:44 PM
Bush Lauds Bill to Overhaul Fisheries


Dec 9, 2:13 PM (ET)

By MATTHEW DALY


WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush said Saturday the country is committed to ensuring strong commercial and recreational fishing, praising legislation that overhauls management of marine fisheries and strengthens protections against further depleting dwindling stocks.

The measure passed early Saturday requires the use of annual catch limits and enhances the authority of eight regional fishery management councils.

The bill reauthorizes the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act through 2013. The 30-year-old law is the main law guiding fishery management in waters between three miles and 200 miles offshore.

"This bill embraces my priorities of ending overfishing and rebuilding our nation's fish stocks through more effective, market-based management and tougher enforcement," Bush said in a statement Saturday.

He said the measure offers stronger tools "to achieve progress internationally to ensure healthy fish stocks, promote better management, and halt destructive fishing practices based on sound science."

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061209/D8LTGM3O1.html