In order to halt the major expansion of commercial fishing into the Arctic region the Obama administration has declared a moratorium on expanded fishing in the still-uncharted waters of the far north. This moratorium is said to ban the expansion of most commercial fishing beyond the Alaskan coast until broad new scientific studies can determine what fish stocks exist and how crucial they are to maintaining a fragile Arctic ecosystem already facing substantial stress because of melting sea ice and rising sea acid levels.
According to US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as Arctic sea ice recedes due to climate change, there is increasing interest in commercial fishing in Arctic waters. He told that there is a need of a plan for sustainable fishing that does not damage the overall health of this fragile ecosystem.
Marilyn Heiman, U.S. Arctic program director for the Pew Environment Group, said that this is the first time an administration has taken the time to protect an entire marine ecosystem before commercial fishing took place. Jim Ayers, Pacific region vice president for the marine protection group Oceana, opined that it is what can happen if conservationists and industry work together.
The support of major fishing industry groups in freezing commercial fishing expansion in the Arctic marked one of the few times the industry has supported blocking off entire regions, but there has been widespread support even among fishermen for allowing time for sufficient studies to learn what is in the Arctic environment.
