Tag Archives: Wildlife Conservation Society
A Hudson Canyon-sized power struggle is developing 100 miles off N.J.’s coast
In November 2016, the Wildlife Conservation Society nominated Hudson Canyon to be designated a National Marine Sanctuary. The WCS selected the canyon, the largest submarine crevice on the Atlantic Coast, due to its wide biodiversity. The canyon is home to more than 20 protected species, including the North Atlantic right whale, according to the conservation group. “This is a canyon the scale of the Grand Canyon,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, the Vice President of the WCS and the director of the New York Aquarium. “It seemed like something that could really benefit from awareness and protection.” But commercial fishermen see this as the latest in a series of moves that could lead to increased fishing restrictions from the Gulf of Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. Commercial fishermen in New Jersey fear losing access to a profitable fishing ground. According the Greg DiDomenico, the executive director of the Garden State Seafood Association, click here to read the story 09:54
New York Aquarium claims fishing groups distorted stance on Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary
I am writing to correct the mischaracterization of the position and intentions of the Wildlife Conservation Society and its New York Aquarium regarding a proposed Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary as reported in the Press. Contrary to the comments by Garden State Seafood Association Executive Director Greg DiDomenico (April 7 click here) and Recreational Fishing Alliance Executive Director Jim Donofrio (April 17 click here), WCS has always held that fishing in the proposed sanctuary should continue and that management authority should remain under the purview of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and other existing fisheries authorities. We remain committed to this position and to addressing the concerns of the fishing community. In addition to affirming our support for continued fishing in Hudson Canyon, we have also argued that there are pressing habitat threats that a sanctuary status would address. click here to read the story 18:02
MAFMC Votes15-4 AGAINST Hudson Canyon Sanctuary bid
In their official nomination, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and their Coney Island Aquarium staff outlined their specific reasons for nominating the offshore Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary. (We listened to the presentation online. It was pathetic, actually),,, While claiming to have “community-based support for the nomination expressed by a broad range of interests,” the WCS marine sanctuary plan had actual fishermen and fishing industry leaders incensed. In a letter of opposition on behalf of coastal fishermen, Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) executive director Jim Donofrio noted that regardless of the WCS’s intention, recreational fishermen would not have any legal protection under the federal sanctuary law. Thank you Jim. click here to read the story 12:54
Why Aren’t Environmental Groups Divesting from Fossil Fuels? Some of big green’s most powerful players still invest in energy companies.
THEY ARE STEALING OUR OCEAN. FOR PROFIT!!! SOME BUYING FISH QUOTA!!Why do some of the largest environmental organizations still invest in fossil fuels? As outlined in my new piece, Time for Big Green to go Fossil Free, organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Society aren’t taking the simple step of divesting their large endowments and publicly traded investments from energy corporations. Below is a cheat sheet (not comprehensive) for how much money big green groups are investing and for who is—and who isn’t—getting their financial house in order. continued
