The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) said that the Bush administration should take strict measure to stop offshore oil drilling as it will the nation’s seafood resources at risk for a small amount of oil that won’t be available for a decade. Zeke Grader, Executive Director for PCFFA, said that new offshore drilling, such as the President proposes, won’t make a dent in the price at the pump, but it sure as hell could damage our fisheries.
He also said that the members of PCFFA have experienced first hand drilling in the Santa Barbara Channel and this is not something we want expanded into pristine ocean waters and some of our nation’s best fishing grounds. According to Grader the President is helping his oilmen cronies for obscene profits off the backs of average citizen.
The fishing group told that the oil industry still hasn’t developed all of its existing leases for offshore drilling. The group also told that the problems that existed 30 years when fishermen fought offshore oil drilling. PCFFA admit that the slant drilling is not very harmful as it may mean fewer wells but serious problems remain for fisheries from offshore oil drilling.
