Sargassum is the floating, brown weed often found offshore, sometimes forming weedlines or mats. It serves as a home for hundreds of marine fish and invertebrates. In fact, many of the fish targeted by saltwater anglers spend at least a portion of their lives amongst this weed. The National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC), after discovering that a commercial operation was harvesting this critical fish habitat and turning it into livestock feed, urged the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to severely limit the harvest of Sargassum. That was nearly five years ago.

After many delays, however, this plan is finally nearing the finish line. It is now undergoing final review by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The NCMC urges everyone to write the NMFS in support of this precautionary plan that will protect the habitat of many marine species. Comments will be accepted until June 16, 2003, and afterwards the NMFS will decide whether or not to approve the plan. 

Write to:

Dr. Steve Branstetter

National Marine Fisheries Service

9721 Executive Center Drive N.

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Or fax to 727-570-5583 (emailed comments not acceptable)

Tell Dr. Branstetter that:

1) Sargassum is a critical habitat for hundreds of marine species

2) NMFS should approve and implement this plan as quickly as possible to limit the amount of Sargassum that can be harvested to insignificant levels.

This information is provided by the National Coalition for Marine Conservation ( www.savethefish.org).