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Our oceans are in crisis. Though the ocean seems limitless and bountiful, our oceans no longer sustain as much life as they used to. Overfishing, habitat destruction, and poor management have all led to this alarming decline in the health of our oceans.

Incredibly, special interests are working to convince the Bush administration to weaken existing ocean protections. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is currently asking the public to comment on how to revise the guidelines that protect essential fish habitat.

Please take a moment to tell the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect our oceans. Then ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser: pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=313&id4=OHFreep

Background

Ocean habitats, which include coral, sea grasses, sandy bottoms and rocks, all provide fish with the food, shelter, spawning areas and nursing grounds that are essential to their continued survival. The various habitats that are essential to fish survival are collectively called essential fish habitat.

Currently, under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, essential fish habitat is protected under federal law. However, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the agency in charge of federal fisheries, is currently considering making changes to the existing protections.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has requested that the public comment on potential revisions to the essential fish habitat guidelines. This is the second time that the National Marine Fisheries Service has requested comments in several months. Last time, only about 50 groups commented, so your voice will have a real impact.

Please take a moment to tell the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect our oceans. Then ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser: pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=313&id4=OHFreep