Long Branch, NJ --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), a senior member of the House Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to President Bush's announcement in Maryland today of an executive order that will set a policy to conserve white bass and red drum fish for the recreational, economic and environmental benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
The executive order will move to prohibit the sale of striped bass and red drum caught in federal waters. Currently, there are limitations on catching striped bass and red drum fish in federal waters because of significant population decline. If and when those prohibitions are removed, the executive order would ensure that striped bass and red drum are reserved for recreational catch as a conservation measure.
“It's encouraging to see President Bush engage in an issue that is so important to recreational fishermen here in New Jersey. I hope that the president’s executive order will spur Congress to move my more comprehensive legislation that would do what many states have already done and make striped bass a no sale fish throughout the country. My legislation will provide a long lasting solution to the problem and would address state waters as well as federal waters.”
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