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The new movie The Perfect Storm tells a harrowing tale of danger and heroism at sea. We encourage you to read the book. See the movie. And take action. The real-life swordfishermen who faced this ordeal were forced to fish far out in the Atlantic. Swordfish populations have been depleted in the fishing grounds closer to shore. Why? For too many years, there has not been responsible government management of fishing off the Atlantic coast. In the 1960s, most North Atlantic swordfish weighed more than 250 pounds when caught. Today, the average is just 90 pounds. Most of the fish caught are too young to have reproduced. Right now, the National Marine Fisheries Service is considering protection for vital Atlantic nursery areas that would replenish swordfish populations. Ask the Secretary of Commerce to support this policy. Log on to www.perfectstorm.org and support the families of fishermen lost at sea. And for more information on dangers to sea life, visit www.seaweb.org and www.nrdc.org. Let's bring our fishermen back to safer waters. |