Help us flood Congress today, Thursday, June 17, 2010, with calls of support for a bill that will help ocean wildlife, fishermen and coastal communities.

The Deepwater Horizon oil disaster isn't just devastating ecosystems, it is devastating economies. Many fishermen and their families face a difficult economic future in which oil, other pollution as well as overfishing may require reductions in fishing until grounds are re-opened and stocks rebuilt; and not just in the Gulf of Mexico, but other regions as well.

To create jobs and help coastal communities make the transition to a more sustainable future, Congressional Representatives from across the country are supporting The Coastal Jobs Creation Act of 2010. The bill would create environmentally beneficial jobs for fishermen and coastal communities as we end overfishing, rebuild depleted fish populations, and recover from the Deepwater Horizon gusher. The bill can help hard-hit fishing communities in the Gulf states and around the country, by providing jobs and funding for research and restoration. While the bill has generated significant interest in Congress, we need more cosponsors before Congress will act on it.

Please take just five minutes today to join advocates from across the country to spur Congress to act on this bill. Simply call your Representative and ask him/her to co-sponsor the Coastal Jobs Creation Act of 2010 (HR 4914). Here's how you can participate…

• Contact the U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202)224-3121 and speak to your Representative today. Don't know your Representative? Search by zip code .
• If you would like more background information, please read the one-page fact sheet on the bill.
• When the office answers, ask to leave a written message for the Representative. The message is, "Please support jobs for fishermen and protection for fish, cosponsor HR 4914, the Coastal Jobs Creation Act of 2010."
• After the call, please complete this form and tell us how it went. We'll use your feedback to identify supporters and improve our strategy.