A representative of one environmental group says the re-election of President Bush will make it harder to achieve reforms of the nation’s regional fisheries management councils.

“Some legislation has been submitted this current session of Congress to reform the regional fisheries management councils to eliminate conflicts of interest and for the councils to operate according to ecosystem principles,” Robert Ovetz, save the leatherback campaign coordinator for the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, told IntraFish on Friday.

With Democrats becoming an even smaller minority party in Congress -- Republicans gained seats in both the House and Senate -- it will be an uphill battle to get such reforms, Ovetz said.