U.S. shark fishermen and the U.S. federal fisheries regulatory agency, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), agreed to settle their differences on management of shark species based on the outcome of an independent evaluation by a special panel of marine scientists. After NMFS continually reduced the legal allowable catch of Atlantic sharks (50 percent in 1997), shark fishermen under the banner of the Southern Offshore Fishing Association petitioned the courts that their livelihoods were threatened. The courts ordered a halt to NMFS quota enforcement and the US Justice Department stepped in and advised both parties to settle via mediation. Under the agreement, a panel of independent scientists will review the data and make a determination. Both the government and the fishermen agreed to abide by whatever the panel decides.

  With the US Fish & Wildlife Service, in concert with animal rights NGOs, announcing its intent of putting the Fisher, a close relative of the marten and sable, on that nation's Endangered Species lists comes the inevitable controversy over best management procedures and federal land use policies. Foremost is the usurpation of state authority over management and recovery responsibilities by the U.S. Federal Government. A close second is the inevitable set of restrictions on human activities in the animal's range lands.

  Animal rights groups see the bureaucratic "listing" as an important tool in their arsenal of weaponry to be used to achieve a full and total segregation of humanity from wildlife and wild places. Sustainable use groups see such moves as evidence of the growing influence of radical green and animal rights groups.

  Simply declaring a species "Endangered," does little or nothing to enhance the survivability of the animals. Conversely, conservationists see Balkanizing national wildlife habitat to exclude human interaction as inherently dangerous and counter-productive. Further, the latter groups suggest that the best way to ensure the fisher's survivability is to increase the price paid for its fur. Such a ploy will quickly add value to the Fisher and through license sales provide revenues for conservation use.�