The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is considering listing the Atlantic wolffish as federally endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This fish, once relatively abundant in New England ocean waters, has habits that are unique to fish, like the male taking care of the eggs and juveniles for months in rocky caves. Wolffish are also important controls on urchin populations. Wolffish have been decimated by overfishing and habitat destruction from fishing gears. Click here to view our fact sheet about the Atlantic wolffish.

If it is listed, critical habitat will be designated and a recovery plan will be developed and implemented to restore the wolffish to New England’s ocean waters.

But we need your help! Make your voice heard and tell the National Marine Fisheries Service that you care about the future of this essential ocean species. Here's how to help:

1. Copy the letter below
2. Click here to visit NMFS site
3. Paste the letter into the comments section of the online form.

Or, you can print the letter and mail it to:

Assistant Regional Administrator
NMFS
Northeast Regional Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930

Use this letter: Dear Assistant Regional Administrator: I am writing about the proposed listing of Atlantic wolffish, XRIN 0648-XM05. I am very concerned that this fish is facing extinction unless action is taken by the agency under the Endangered Species Act and urge strongly that you immediately list the U.S. population of wolffish as endangered. This fish is an important part of New England’s marine ecosystem and it is an important species to protect. If we take action soon, there is a good chance that the wolffish can recover and even become part of the commercial and recreational fishery in the future. Without action, I believe that wolffish will be eliminated from U.S. waters. Thank you for your consideration of my concerns.

 

Maintainer: e-info@clf.org
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