Federal fisheries managers have unanimously adopted a West Coast ban on new commercial fisheries for forage fish, the little fish that big fish and seabirds depend on for food.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted the ban Tuesday while meeting in Vancouver, Washington.
Although no West Coast fishing boats are contemplating new efforts to target forage fish, others do around the world. Conservation groups have been campaigning for the council to protect the food chain that supports ocean fisheries. The ban does not affect existing fisheries for sardines and anchovies.
The action is part of an approach that protects the entire ocean ecosystem, rather than just limiting how many fish are caught.
Species covered by the ban include Pacific sand lance, silversides, and certain varieties of herring, smelt, and squid.
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