Comment from Britton Shackelford

The North Carolina Watermen United is opposed to the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna being listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Fishermen from New England down through North Carollina have seen large spreads of Bluefin Tuna in recent years. Because United States' fishermen follow stringent federal regulations, landings are down, and much of the Fishery is catch-and-release. Abuses in the Eastern Atlantic continue in violation of international treaties. The European Union continues to overfish, and Japan continues to buy the illegal harvest. Environmental groups in the United States need to press for trade sanctions against the offenders instead of making our fishermen accountable for the world's greed.