In fact, NMFS, the 'expert agency' in this case had already ruled that the fishing of Atka mackerel did not pose a jeopardy to sea lion recovery. This ruling could effectively kill a number of fishery dependent communities in Alaska. Unfortunately, it could possibly result in the loss of life. This ruling not only will bankrupt a large number of Alaskan and Washington residents who make their living in these trawl fisheries, but also compromises the safety of small boat fishermen who have no other means of making a living. Under Judge Zilly's ruling, our fishermen will be forced to travel more than 20 miles offshore during dangerous weather conditions in order to make a living.
Commercial fishing is already the most dangerous job in the nation.
These professional environmentalists have just made it even more dangerous. I hope NMFS, Greenpeace, American Oceans Campaign, and the Sierra Club are pleased with themselves for putting small boat fishermen in danger. I pray there are no casualties because of this ruling. In their quest to stop factory trawlers, the environmentalists and some of their cohorts in NMFS are willing to sacrifice communities and small boat fishermen to get at the bigger boats. The Judge also made a mistake in handling this issue.