Voting takes on this will place on February 5, so calls and emails are best by end of day on Feb. 3.
VIEW THE FACT SHEET
A sample email (or phone call speaking points) is below:
I am emailing today in regards to the ecological reference points for the Atlantic menhaden fishery. Atlantic menhaden should be managed more than just a fish being removed from the ocean; they should be managed in a way that takes into account their role in the ecosystem.
I’m an avid birder, and care about the health of seabirds. 70% of seabird populations have declined since 1970. Seabirds face many threats including climate change, pollution, and overfishing, and they rely on forage fish like menhaden to survive. Taking steps to manage forage fish populations effectively will reduce one threat and help their populations rebound.
Seabirds aren’t the only ones who will benefit – menhaden support a robust ecosystem along the Atlantic seaboard, including whales, dolphins, and larger fish, which are critical to coastal economies.
Healthy menhaden stocks support healthy ecosystems, which in turn support the Atlantic Coast’s tourism economy. All along the East Coast there are almost 29 million resident and nonresident wildlife watchers, generating over $17.7 billion in ecotourism per year. By feeding striped bass, whales, ospreys and other coastal birds, these high-energy fish are also fueling recreational and commercial industries, both important economic drivers along the coast. The Atlantic seafood industry supports 341,000 jobs and provides $46.3 billion in annual sales, while 13.9 million recreational anglers spend $16.2 million pursuing gamefish, supporting 167,000 jobs.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter. I hope you make the right decision to enact the ecological reference points for the Atlantic menhaden fishery to protect seabirds and forage fish on the Atlantic Coast.
Sincerely,
________________________________ (Your name and address)
The decision makers on this in New York State are listed below:
| NEW YORK |
MAUREEN DAVIDSON NYS DEC MARINE RESOURCES 205 NORTH BELLE MEAD RD. EAST SETAUKET NY 11733 EMAIL: MAUREEN.DAVIDSON@DEC.NY.GOV PHONE: (631)444-0483 FAX: (631)444-0449 POSITION: PROXY, ADMINISTRATIV | JIM GILMORE DIRECTOR NYS DEC DIVISION OF MARINE RESOURCES 205 N. BELLE MEAD RD. STE. 1 EAST SETAUKET NY 11733-3456 EMAIL: JAMES.GILMORE@DEC.NY.GOV PHONE: (631)444-0430 FAX: (631)444-0434 POSITION: COMMISSIONER ADMINISTRATIVE |
SEN. TODD KAMINSKY NEW YORK 9TH SENATE DISTRICT 55 FRONT ST. ROOM 1 ROCKVILLE CENTRE NY 11570 EMAIL: KAMINSKY@NYSENATE.GOV PHONE: (516)766-8383 FAX: POSITION: COMMISSIONER LEGISLATIVE | EMERSON HASBROUCK CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTEN MARINE PROGRAM 423 GRIFFING AVE. #100 RIVERHEAD NY 11901-3071 EMAIL: ECH12@CORNELL.EDU PHONE: (631)727-7850 FAX: (631)369-5944 POSITION: COMMISSIONER GOV. APPOINT |
