Pew Environment Group's Campaign to
End Overfishing in the Southeast

Campaign Overview

Southeastern U.S. waters are endowed with magnificent ecosystems that range from coral gardens and deepwater canyons to estuaries and shallow tropical waters. These environmental jewels draw divers, anglers and tourists from around the world who expect healthy waters and robust fish populations.

But years of overfishing have put all of this at risk by devastating fish populations, including 14 species of snapper, grouper and reef fish. Several are so depleted they are now listed as species of concern and might be candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act if better scientific data about their status was known. All of the species are long-lived and slow-growing and take years to recover. For example, Gulf of Mexico red snapper have been overfished for nearly two decades and could take more than 30 years to rebound.

The Pew Environment Group's Campaign to End Overfishing in the Southeast is leading efforts in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to work with regional fishery management councils and the National Marine Fisheries Service to establish science-based annual catch limits for overfished species by 2010 and for all other species by 2011. The campaign works to bring scientific expertise to bear on fishery management plans and seeks common ground with fishermen to find solutions that balance human and environmental needs and raise awareness about overfishing and potential remedies.

	Campaign to End Overfishing in the South Atlantic Ten southern Atlantic species are in severe decline. A population between 30 and 40 percent signals the species is overexploited; lower numbers mean the species is in critical condition. Learn More
	Campaign to End Overfishing in the Gulf of Mexico The Gulf supplies a diverse bounty of seafood, from shrimp to swordfish. But depleting fish too fast risks unbalancing this fragile ecosystem and damaging an economic engine that supports millions of people and jobs. Learn More
	Campaign to End Overfishing in the Caribbean Fish on the Caribbean reef have been declining at about 5 percent annually for the last decade, according to international researchers. Snapper, grouper, conch and parrotfish are all being fished too fast to ensure their survival. Learn More