For more than 200 years, the catch of important fish such as cod,bass, sardines, salmon, and oysters and clams has helped America build ports, communities, and industries. These historic fisheries contributed not only to the nation's food supply but also to its economy, culture, and trade, according to the Pew Environment Group.

Individual states regulated local fishing fleets, but their authority generally ended three miles from shore, far enough to oversee coastal fishing. The federal government had more pressing concerns than policing the millions of square miles where fishermen, frigate birds, and whales plied the waters.

Prosperity after World War II ushered in a golden age for America's commercial and recreational fishermen. The former had a hungry nation to feed and faced few competitor...  (More Info)