Researchers say that a new Pew-commissioned study underscores the need for protecting species by outlining the economic costs of historic overfishing. In a prepared statement the Pew Environment Group explained, “the Southeast sustained tens of millions of dollars in economic losses during a five-year period because years of overfishing depleted species.”
The study, conducted by the nonprofit consulting firm Ecotrust, examined the impact of overfishing on nine severely depleted species in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico from 2005 to 2009.
“Overfishing—catching fish faster than they can reproduce—leaves a costly legacy that hurts our communities,” said Lee Crockett, Pew’s Director of U.S. Fisheries Campaigns. “The Ecotrust study makes a strong economic case for the laws we have today that require science-based annual catch limits to end and prevent overfishing.…

Remarks: Hillary Rodham Clinton (Secretary of State of the United States)
Location: Cook Islands National Auditorium. Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Date: Aug 31, 2012
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Thank you very much, Prime Minister, and let me begin by saying what a pleasure it is to be here in the beautiful Cook Islands. I am honored to be the first Secretary of State of the United States to participate in the Pacific Islands Forum-Post Forum dialogue. And on behalf of my delegation and our government, we express deep appreciation to you.
And I wish to thank Secretary General Slade and his team for the excellent preparation, all the leaders and delegations and representatives from the Forum partner countries. I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you at our annual roundtable at the United States General Assembly, and last year at the Pacific Island countries leaders meeting with President Obama in Hawaii, America’s own bridge to the Pacific.…