North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation directs that throughout the United States, fish and wildlife are held in common ownership by the states for the benefit of all people. The key principles are:
- Markets for trade in black bass and other wildlife and sportfish are carefully restricted, removing a huge threat to sustaining those species.
- States allow sustainable use of sport fish and wildlife by law, not by market pressures, land ownership or special privilege.
- The public has input into how these resources are allocated.
- A democratic approach to fishing and hunting is emphasized. In North America, anyone in good standing may participate in legal recreational harvest of approved species.
- Hunters and anglers fund conservation, including protections for wildlife species that are not harvested and their habitats, by purchasing hunting and fishing licenses and paying excise taxes on recreational equipment.
- Many fish and wildlife species are international or multi-state resources. Species, such as migratory fish, transcend boundaries, requiring cooperative management.
- Science is the proper tool for developing fisheries policy.