Number: 1980-55
WHEREAS, the U. S. Reorganization Order No. 4 of 1970 divided coastal and marine biological activities between the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in NOAA, and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) of the Department of the Interior; and
WHEREAS, this artificial attempt to define jurisdictions along geographic lines or other artificial parameters fails to recognize and provide logical management of ecosystems as entities; and
WHEREAS, this division causes overlap, confusion, inefficiency, delays and mismanagement of the resources; and
WHEREAS, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the logical agency to manage all coastal and marine biological activities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled, March 20-23, 1980, in Miami Beach, Fla, supports and strongly urges the consolidation of the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Department of the Interior, feeling that this consolidation of federal fish and wildlife research and management authority will provide a comprehensive federal approach at a financial and manpower saving for the good of the resources and their uses.