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Contamination Forces Over 70 Beach Closings in Washington in 2004	7/28/2005
SEATTLE—Beach closings due to hazardous bacterial contamination are on the rise at Washington beaches, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council's annual report released today by the Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG).
Representatives Rahall and Farr Introduce First Federal Bill to Address Ocean Commissions' Recommendations: WashPIRG Supports Legislation Designed to Fix Flawed Fishery Management System	6/24/2004
Seattle—Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV), Ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Resources Committee, Representative Sam Farr, Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, and 12 Members of Congress today introduced legislation that would help eliminate long-standing financial conflicts of interest, unbalanced representation, and poor conservation decisions in the fisheries management system. This is the first piece of legislation that would enact policy proposals made by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposes to Gut Key Ocean Conservation Provision	6/20/2005
SEATTLE—In a proposed rule issued today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced its plans to open the nation's oceans to overfishing with impunity. If this rule becomes law, the overfishing standard, a fundamental conservation measure, will be stripped of its ability to protect the nation's fish populations and the ocean ecosystems of which they are a part.
Saving Puget Sound: Washington Becomes First State to Ban Class of Toxic Chemicals	4/6/2007
OLYMPIA—In an important victory for both human health and the effort to clean up Puget Sound, Washington became the first state in the nation to initiate a complete ban on a class of toxic flame retardants known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). While several states have banned penta and octa, Washington is the first state, joining the European Union, in banning a third type of PBDE, deca.
Science is Clear: Oceans in Trouble, Action Needed	4/20/2004
Seattle—The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) report issued today should serve as a wake-up call to Gov. Locke, Congress and to the Bush administration that immediate action is needed to protect our oceans, according to the Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG). USCOP, a congressionally mandated 16-member panel, has spent the past three years surveying and studying America’s oceans. Today USCOP revealed its comprehensive report and recommendations for a coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy to governors and select members of Congress.
New Oceans Report: Federal Government Make Little Progress Increasing the Number of Healthy Fish Stocks, Hides Failures Using Shell Games	3/29/2006
SEATTLE—Only 18% of fish populations off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington are known to be healthy, and that number has not improved since 2001, according to an analysis of government statistics in a new report published today by the Marine Fish Conservation Network (Network) and WashPIRG. The Pacific Fishery Management Council is the primary agency responsible for managing fishing activities and ensuring the health of 167 marine fish populations of which only 49 have been assessed to determine whether or not they are at healthy levels.
Dynamic locally produced film explores economic, environmental and health impacts of salmon farming	3/28/2004
Seattle, Wash.—All over the world, fish are at the heart of people's diets and cultures. And here in the Pacific Northwest, there's no fish like the legendary salmon. An important element in Native mythology, a livelihood for generations of fishermen and a staple of the Northwest diet, the salmon has become an icon for this region.
Representative Rahall Continues Effort to Protect Oceans	3/17/2005
Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV), ranking member of the U.S. House Resources Committee, was joined by bipartisan cosponsors today in introducing legislation that will enhance fisheries science and management in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine fish and ocean ecosystems.
Cruise Ship Pollution Threatens Washington Businesses, Environment	3/10/2005
SEATTLE—At a news conference on the Seattle waterfront today, the Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG) release a report detailing the risk cruise ship pollution poses to Washington's businesses and economy in the absence of meaningful regulations. The report "Cruising for a Bruising: Why Washington Needs Laws to Protect Its Waters from Cruise Ship Pollution" called on the Legislature to pass a bill that will more strictly regulate cruise ship pollution in Washington waters. California and Alaska, have already past strict cruise ship regulations, making Washington a potential target for increased pollution dumping from cruise ships.
Local Chefs Serve Up a Feast for Ocean Conservation: Event Raises Visibility of Threats, Highlights Solutions to Declining Fish Stocks	11/30/2004
SEATTLE—In support of the Northwest's marine bounty and the findings of two blue-ribbon commissions, five of Seattle's top chefs today served up a luncheon in support of sustainable seafood and improved oceans management. The goal of the luncheon was to mobilize the public - from concerned citizens to upscale chefs to members of Congress - to end the ongoing decline in ocean health.
Seattle Chefs Cook Up Feast in Support of the Oceans	10/27/2003
Seattle–Amid plates of sustainable seafood prepared by five of Seattle’s top chefs, a coalition of fishermen, chefs, and conservationists gathered at Matt’s in the Market Restaurant today to promote sustainable seafood and to call for significant changes to United States ocean policy. The coalition called attention to serious problems facing America’s oceans and urged lawmakers to adopt the recommendations of the Pew Oceans Commission, which released its report this summer.

Ocean Conservation News

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Bill LaBorde