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<DIV>The Western Pacific Council still promotes an agenda that would allow shark
finning to continue even in the face of NMFS, NOAA and the public's request to
stop finning as a result of the waste it causes. A number of articles have
been written by the Chairman of the Council as well as a letter to the Secretary
of Commerce, trying to convince him not to pre-empt the
Council. We hear that a recent letter from NOAA instructs the Council to
stop finning immediately</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Council's letter and articles are carefully worded, yet it mirrors
the complaints by commercial interests throughout the Country for years.
Phrases such as not enough data, more research is needed have echoed through the
halls of fisheries management until in many cases it was too late.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Council has also made claims that people in Hawaii do not want finning
to stop, that they don't think it's wasteful or cruel and therefore the Council
should not be influenced. Your help is <FONT
face="Times New">desperately</FONT> needed to make sure those involved and
who can make a difference hear you load and clear. If you don't take the
few minutes it takes to simply tell them to "STOP SHARK FINNING IN THE
WESTERN PACIFIC IMMEDIATELY", don't expect others to step up and do it for
you. many of you have already helped, but more is needed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Commerce department is poised to act, but they need to hear from
you. We urge you to send in your support by going to <A
href="http://www.westpacfisheries.net/actionalert.html">http://www.westpacfisheries.net/actionalert.html</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Or send your comments to <A
href="mailto:WDaley@doc.gov">WDaley@doc.gov</A> <A
href="mailto:Penny.Dalton@noaa.gov">Penny.Dalton@noaa.gov</A> or Senator
Daniel Inouye at Fax 202-224-6747 or email your comments to the Senator at
: <A
href="http://www.senate.gov/~inouye/abtform.html">http://www.senate.gov/~inouye/abtform.html</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Now is the time to stand up and let them know what you think.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Mahalo,</DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>