The Bottom Line: The Next Step: Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:40:00 GMT

Although we’ve made remarkable progress toward ending overfishing and restoring depleted populations, we have been missing the bigger picture by focusing on individual species—the marine version of missing the forest for the trees.

A New Approach to Protect Our Oceans

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:45:00 GMT

The provisions of the law that brought us to the verge of ending overfishing are just the first step toward sustainable fisheries management. Congress therefore has a unique opportunity to build on past marine policy success and move toward a more thorough ecosystem approach that will prove vital in addressing current and rapidly evolving challenges in the decades to come.

The Law That's Saving American Fisheries: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:20:00 GMT

A generation of determined, farsighted commercial and recreational fishermen, marine scientists, and legislators have shaped the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the law that governs American fisheries.

Despite Gains, More Challenges Ahead for U.S. Fisheries

Sat, 04 May 2013 16:50:00 GMT

(Washington Post) Fish stocks off the U.S. coasts, restored to health over the past four decades by cooperation among competing interests and careful management, are threatened anew by warming and increasingly acidic waters, according to a new report and experts who are gathering in Washington this week for a conference on the future of fisheries.

Join the Fishermen's Conservation Corps

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:10:00 GMT

Are you an angler who cares about fish conservation? Do you enjoy fishing and want to ensure that healthy fisheries are available for generations to come? If you are a commercial guide or an individual angler, your voice is important to how our country’s fisheries are managed!

Sustainable Seafood: The Good News

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:30:00 GMT

(Food and Wine) For anyone concerned about the ethics of eating seafood from our overfished oceans, writer Paul Greenberg offers this piece of advice: Buy American.

The Bottom Line: Coming Together for Bluefin Tuna

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:00:00 GMT

It’s not every day that fishermen and environmentalists agree. But in a significant move, the American Bluefin Tuna Association and the International Game Fish Association are partnering with The Pew Charitable Trusts to protect bluefin tuna, one of the most amazing fish in the sea. By working together, we might be able to help ensure a brighter future for this depleted fish.

Limiting Public Data on Our Nation's Fisheries

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:10:00 GMT

This week marks the annual event known as Sunshine Week, when media outlets and organizations around the country focus in on the critical importance of the public’s right to understand and participate in our government. This issue hits close to home as Pew works to restore America’s ocean ecosystems and the fish that depend on them.

The Bottom Line: Changing Course for America's Oldest Fishery

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:45:00 GMT

“The fish just aren’t there.” This simple observation from Cape Cod fisheries manager Tom Dempsey to the Associated Press sums up the challenge of decreasing cod populations.

The Bottom Line: Menhaden Could Make a Comeback

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:50:00 GMT

After decades of decline and chronic overfishing, the Atlantic menhaden might have just turned the corner toward a comeback. A rebuilt population of these little fish would have big benefits for the ecosystem and economy of the entire east coast.

The Bottom Line: A Better Way to Manage Fish

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Already, 2013 is shaping up to be an important year for the health of our nations’ fisheries. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently concluded a public comment period on a wide range of policy issues that could determine the future course of U.S. fisheries management.

The Bottom Line: Don't Remove Protection When Cod Need It Most

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:10:00 GMT

New England is famous for cod fishing. But the industry is ailing – and the cure being proposed might be worse than the disease.

The Bottom Line: Big Opportunity for Pacific Fish

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:25:00 GMT

Our nation's West Coast is known worldwide for the rich and iconic marine life that can be found off its shores. In fact, countless tourists travel there every year just for a glimpse of a pod of migrating gray whales or the chance to catch a coho or king salmon in the wild.

Fisheries Rule Could Limit Scientific Access to Data

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:45:00 GMT

(The New York Times) A draft rule proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may limit public access to fisheries data collected by independent observers on fishing vessels.

Letter Regarding Proposed Rule to Revise Regulations Governing the Confidentiality of Information Submitted Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:05:00 GMT

A letter signed by 77 conservation organizations, open government groups, and businesses, urges the National Marine Fisheries Service to withdraw and redraft a proposed rule that would stifle public participation in the management of public trust ocean resources, including depleted fish populations and protected species.

The Bottom Line: U.S. Fisheries and Us

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:10:00 GMT

The Magnuson-Stevens Act's tradition of openness and public input is at odds with a proposed “data confidentiality” rule from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service that could revise federal guidelines on the release of fishing data.

Letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service Regarding National Standard 1 Guidelines

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:45:00 GMT

On Oct. 8, 2012, Lee Crockett, Pew's director of U.S. Fisheries Campaigns, sent the following letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding the advance notice of proposed rulemaking for the National Standard 1 Guidelines.

The Bottom Line: Historic Moment for Menhaden

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:50:00 GMT

Menhaden numbers have plunged nearly 90 percent over the past 25 years, and the regulators responsible for their management will soon make a critical decision.

America's Ocean Fish Populations: Protect Our Right to Know if This Public Resource is Well Managed

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 19:50:00 GMT

Americans have a right to know how our ocean fish are being managed and the impacts of fishing on ocean wildlife, but that right is under attack in a new fisheries data proposal from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service.

The Bottom Line: A Creative Solution to a Persistent Problem

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:45:00 GMT

An innovative project in the Gulf of Mexico may finally offer a real solution to a decades-old problem.

New Nationwide Protections for Important Fish

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:55:00 GMT

Earlier this summer, regional U.S. fishery management councils in the mid-Atlantic, New England, and Pacific Northwest advanced groundbreaking protections for forage fish in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Economic Costs of Historic Overfishing on Recreational Fisheries: South Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico Regions

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:30:00 GMT

This study examines an important component of the costs of overfishing in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions — recreational catch losses from historic overfishing and their associated economic impacts.

Southeast Suffered Millions in Economic Losses from Overfishing

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:30:00 GMT

The Southeast sustained tens of millions of dollars in economic losses during a five-year period because years of overfishing depleted species led to fewer recreational fishing trips, according to an analysis commissioned by the Pew Environment Group.

Overfishing Strips Tens of Millions from Southeast Economy

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:30:00 GMT

An analysis commissioned by the Pew Environment Group reveals that historic overfishing resulted in the loss of tens of millions of dollars in recreational fishing expenditures annually from 2005 to 2009.

The Bottom Line: New Study - Overfishing Costs Southeast and Gulf Regions Millions Per Year

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:30:00 GMT

There’s an old saying that a penny saved is a penny earned. This sound financial advice is equally true for management of U.S. ocean fish resources. As I’ve said before, conserving our ocean fish populations is a prudent economic investment. The converse is also true: Overfishing is bad economic policy.

Progress Made: The Pew Environment Group Celebrates Recent Conservation Victories

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:55:00 GMT

It’s been a busy few months for the Pew Environment Group, with our campaigns racking up important victories all over the globe. Our teams were active in securing new protections for little fish in the United States, sharks in Venezuela, huge tracts of land in Canada, and vast swaths of the Australian ocean.

The Bottom Line: A Historic Milestone for America's Ocean Fish

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:40:00 GMT

In a little publicized but very important milestone, NOAA fisheries and the regional fishery management councils have completed a task set out by Congress in 2006: establishing enforceable, science-based annual catch limits (ACLs) that end and prevent overfishing.

The Bottom Line: Fatter Snapper Put Fishermen on a Diet

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:10:00 GMT

Recreational fishermen heading to the Gulf of Mexico face a conundrum if they want to hook a red snapper.

Setting Annual Catch Limits

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:45:00 GMT

The annual catch limit requirement is a cornerstone of U.S. fisheries management and has put our nation’s fish stocks on the path to sustainability.

Historic Anniversary for Fishing in America's Oceans

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 12:50:00 GMT

Five years ago this month, President George W. Bush signed legislation revising and reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act into law, requiring strong measures to end and prevent overfishing.

Pew Responds to May 2012 Editorial in Sport Fishing Magazine

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:15:00 GMT

Lee Crockett responds to an editorial published in Sport Fishing Magazine in May 2012 that was critical of Pew's support for a protected marine park in Australia's Coral Sea and claims that we are working for a similar effort in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Bottom Line: Bluefin Tuna Need You Now

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:30:00 GMT

In the Gulf of Mexico, surface longlines intended to catch yellowfin tuna and swordfish indiscriminately catch and kill more than 80 other species of ocean wildlife, including severely depleted western Atlantic bluefin tuna. This species is particularly at risk: Scientific studies have identified it as a distinct population (as compared to eastern Atlantic bluefin) that reproduces only in the Gulf.

The Fish You Need to Know

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:35:00 GMT

(Trust Magazine) Save the whales? Check. Save the sharks? Check. Save the menhaden? Save the what?

The Bottom Line: A Small 'Catch' in Recent Fisheries Coverage

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Last week, the New York Times published a blog and an editorial recognizing the progress made in the management of U.S. ocean fisheries. Overall, more than 100 newspapers across the country have covered a promising new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that I discussed in my most recent blog post.

Recipes for Success

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:55:00 GMT

2012-05-23 The federal law that sets conservation requirements for ocean fisheries, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) has not only made a positive impact on U.S. fish populations; it has also made a difference to some of the country’s most successful chefs and restaurant own

The Bottom Line: Even Fish Need Yearly Checkups

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:55:00 GMT

On May 14, NOAA released its 2011 fisheries report. Last year, thanks to our system of science-based management, six U.S. ocean fish stocks were fully rebuilt to healthy levels, others continued their recovery, and significant progress was made in ending overfishing.

The Bottom Line: Little Fish Do Matter

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:10:00 GMT

Small fish such as sardines and anchovies don’t get much love. But these little fish provide essential food for all the marine life that we like to catch, eat or watch. Unfortunately, most fisheries managers haven’t thought too much about these prey fish, either—until now, that is.

The Fisheries Investment Act

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:10:00 GMT

The Fisheries Investment Act is legislation that would provide dedicated funding to support the research, monitoring and management programs critical to sustaining ocean fish resources and fishing communities.

The Fisheries Investment Act: Investing in the Gulf of Mexico's Fisheries and Fishermen

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:40:00 GMT

The Gulf of Mexico is home to historic fishing communities and some of the nation’s most iconic and valuable fisheries. Funding through FIA could help restore the Gulf’s fish and fisheries by addressing critical needs.

The Fisheries Investment Act: Investing in the South Atlantic's Fisheries and Fishermen

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:25:00 GMT

The sheer diversity of fish in the South Atlantic region has attracted commercial fishermen and anglers alike for decades. Funding through the Fisheries Investment Act could help restore the South Atlantic’s fish and fisheries by addressing critical needs.

The Bottom Line: Little Fish, Big Fishery

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:50:00 GMT

Within the next few weeks, alewife and blueback herring, collectively known as river herring, will begin their annual migration from coastal waters to their native rivers.

Stay the Course with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and Rebuild Our Fisheries

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:45:00 GMT

Thirty-six years after enactment of the law that is now known as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), we are turning a corner on ending overfishing (taking fish faster than they can reproduce) and rebuilding our nation’s valuable fish populations.

The Latest: A Step Forward for Fish and Coastal Communities

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:05:00 GMT

Read The Latest, Pew Environment Group's newsletter. This edition features an expedition to the Pitcairn Islands, an opportunity to help river herring, and good news from Capitol Hill.

Rebuilding U.S. Fisheries: Success Stories

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Efforts to protect and rebuild America’s ocean fish are working. Rebounding fish populations create jobs, support coastal economies, repair damaged marine ecosystems, increase recreational fishing opportunities, and bring back fresh, local seafood.

The Bottom Line: How Investing in Our Fisheries Pays Off

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Sometimes, an idea comes forward in Washington that actually brings together people who normally disagree. The proposed Fisheries Investment and Regulatory Relief Act does that and more.

The Fisheries Investment Act

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:15:00 GMT

Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), John D. Rockefeller (D-WV), Scott Brown (R-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the Fisheries Investment Act (S. 2184) on March 12.

Sens. Kerry, Snowe, Rockefeller, Brown, and Whitehouse Introduce Bill Supporting Fish, Coastal Communities; Reps. Frank and Guinta Expected to Introduce Companion Bill in the House

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:05:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group commends bipartisan legislation that would ensure that key programs critical to sustainably managing ocean fish populations, and the fishermen and communities that depend on them, would receive increased and sustained funding.

U.S. Ocean Fish Stocks: An Excellent Return on Investment

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:15:00 GMT

U.S. ocean fish stocks are one of the nation’s most valuable natural resources, and with prudent stewardship, they have significant potential for growth and return on investment.

The Fisheries Investment Act: Allocations

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:55:00 GMT

The Fisheries Investment Act would redirect existing duties on imported fish and fish products to programs that will protect and increase the value of America’s ocean fish and the jobs they support.

The Fisheries Investment Act: Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic's Fisheries and Fishing Communities

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:35:00 GMT

With most of the region’s federally-managed fish stocks at healthy levels, the Mid-Atlantic is now enjoying the benefits of improved management of its commercial and recreational fisheries. Funding through FIA could help the Mid Atlantic build upon its management successes and address needs going forward.

The Fisheries Investment Act: Investing in New England's Fisheries and Fishermen

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:25:00 GMT

New England is home to historic fishing communities and some of the nation’s most valuable fisheries. Funding through the Fisheries Investment Act could help restore New England’s fish and fisheries by addressing critical needs.

The Bottom Line: An Inconvenient Truth About Gulf of Maine Cod

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Many in New England were recently stunned by the news that the region’s prized codfish are in much deeper trouble than anyone had realized. The bleak conclusion of the most recent scientific assessment was unexpected, because just three years earlier cod appeared to show signs of recovery. Fishermen, scientists, and others have rightfully been asking, “What happened?”

The Bottom Line: Historic Anniversary for Fishing in America's Oceans

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:50:00 GMT

It’s hard to get politicians to agree on anything these days. But five years ago this month, President George W. Bush, flanked by Republican and Democratic members of Congress, signed the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Putting Fish Over Politics

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:35:00 GMT

(Miami Herald) Remarkable things can happen when key stakeholders and leaders in Washington find common ground for a common good.

Editorial: A Milestone in Fisheries Management

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:20:00 GMT

(The New York Times) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is about to reach a historic achievement. By May, the agency will have set annual catch limits for every federally managed fish species, more than 500 in all.

Debate Over Fishing Quotas Heats Up

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:15:00 GMT

(Asbury Park Press) A long-simmering debate over federal fishing quotas and their economic impact on coastal states could reach a boiling point this year as Congress considers changes to a landmark marine conservation law.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act: A Bipartisan Legacy of Success

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:50:00 GMT

Since 1976, when what is now called the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) was first signed into law, Republicans and Democrats have agreed that conserving America's ocean fish makes good economic and environmental sense. Today, Congress should continue this tradition of bipartisan support for the MSA and preserve its legacy of success by opposing any efforts to weaken the law.

The Bottom Line: New Year's Resolution 2012: Let's Gain Weight in the Ocean

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:05:00 GMT

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions for Americans is to lose weight. Around this time of year, gyms fill up, the health food sections of supermarkets become crowded, and people whose daily exercise consisted of picking up their mail start jogging. But for the fish in America’s oceans, we need to resolve to help them gain weight.

The Bottom Line

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:40:00 GMT

“The Bottom Line,” explores fisheries management issues, while taking on other related subjects to provide a more in-depth look at the issues facing our ocean fish. With this blog, we hope to continue these informative discussions, cut through the rhetoric, and encourage more people to take an interest in ocean fish conservation.

U.S. Tightens Fishing Policy, Setting 2012 Catch Limits for All Managed Species

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

(Washington Post) In an effort to sustain commercial and recreational fishing for the next several decades, the United States this year will become the first country to impose catch limits for every species it manages, from Alaskan pollock to Caribbean queen conch.

Overfishing 101: Celebrating a Good Year for Marine Conservation

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:00:00 GMT

This was a historic year for United States ocean management. Thirty-five years after the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) was enacted, we have finally established a system that, if implemented properly, will keep countless marine species healthy and ensure fishermen stay on the water.

S. 1916: A Recipe for Overfishing and Economic Loss

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:25:00 GMT

Congress should reject S. 1916 because it risks overfishing just as our nation is on the cusp of ending this pernicious problem. Many of America's ocean fish populations are in trouble today because of past policies that allowed overfishing – taking fish faster than they can reproduce. These failed policies prioritized short-term interests over the long-term health of our ocean fish, resulting in lost U.S. jobs, decreased recreational fishing opportunities, and damaged ocean ecosystems.

Overfishing 101: Dissecting Sectors

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:30:00 GMT

New England groundfish fishermen have operated for more than a year under a new system of cooperative fishing groups called sectors. And as often happens with any transformation within an industry, some have prospered, while others have not. Some government officials are asking the federal government to overturn these reforms, but others say leave the basic system alone. So what’s really happening?

Don't Take the Bait!

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:45:00 GMT

Myths have persisted for years about the impact of recreational fishing on ocean fish populations and how to manage that impact. Most recently, these myths have resurfaced as justification for a new bill, S.1916/H.R. 2304, the Fishery Science Improvement Act. Don't let these myths disguise the fact that this legislation would put some of America's most valuable and vulnerable ocean fish populations at risk.

H.R. 1646: A Costly Mistake for America's Fish and Fishermen

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:45:00 GMT

Thanks to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the law that governs management of our valuable ocean fish populations, we are now turning a corner on our decades-long effort to end overfishing (taking fish faster than they can reproduce) and rebuild depleted fish populations.

Overfishing 101: Postcard from Pendik

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:55:00 GMT

ICCAT is the international body that manages tuna fisheries across a quarter of the ocean’s surface, including the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Pew Applauds Congress for Supporting Fisheries Science, Coastal Communities

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:50:00 GMT

Lee Crockett, director of federal fisheries policy for the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to President Obama signing the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012, which allocates $161 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for much-needed fisheries research and monitoring programs.

ICCAT: Time to Tackle What's Really in the Net

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:25:00 GMT

What’s in a name? If you’re talking about ICCAT—the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas—so much is contained in that one acronym. This body manages all the tuna and tuna-like species found in the vast ocean waters between the United States and Europe and between South America and Africa.

Overfishing 101: A Small Fish with Big Problems

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:15:00 GMT

Anglers like me are often impressed with size. We seek out the largest fish, revel in stories about the “big one” that got away, and proudly display photos of our most impressive catches. But it’s a small, unassuming fish, the Atlantic menhaden, which forms the backbone of ecosystems and economies along the East Coast of the United States. Unfortunately, after decades of poorly regulated fishing, menhaden are in serious trouble.

Counting Fish

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:20:00 GMT

How heavy is 35,000 metric tons? For starters, it’s the weight of 193 jumbo jets or 2,917 African elephants. It’s also the amount of Atlantic bluefin tuna that have exceeded the official catch quota in the Mediterranean Sea in the past two years alone, according to a Pew-commissioned analysis of the international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna released today.

Getting Serious About Illegal Tuna Fishing in the Mediterranean

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:05:00 GMT

Driftnets sound relatively harmless as a fishing method. But as any marine biologist will tell you, this gear threatens ocean wildlife. At its November meeting, however, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) could take steps to enforce current international prohibitions on the usage of this damaging practice.

Overfishing 101: Protecting Tuna with Technology

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:30:00 GMT

Atlantic bluefin have been over-exploited for years, with governments often dragging their feet when it comes to implementing measures that would help protect this valued species. As my friend, noted marine ecologist Carl Safina, recently said, “The right thing never happens for bluefin tuna.”

Overfishing 101: Creative Ways to Protect Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:40:00 GMT

Many people have heard of bluefin tuna, even if they haven’t eaten it. Bluefin, which are among the world’s most remarkable animals, can reach 1,500 pounds, migrate across the Atlantic, dive to depths of more than 3,000 feet and swim at breakneck speeds. They have also been pursued for centuries for their rich, buttery flesh. Traditional bluefin fisheries used to be sustainable, but loosely regulated industrial-scale fishing changed everything for this amazing fish.

U.S., EU Sign Pact to Combat Fishing 'Piracy' on High Seas

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:30:00 GMT

(Inter News Service) Fisheries representatives from two of the world's four largest fish consumer markets, Europe and the U.S., signed an agreement here Wednesday pledging to combat illegal fishing on the high seas.

Overfishing 101: It Ain't Over Till It's Over

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:25:00 GMT

Everyone loves a good comeback story, but sometimes a storyline emerges prematurely. Mark Twain famously responded to a press inquiry regarding his supposed demise by saying, “The report of my death was an exaggeration.” Similarly, declarations earlier this year that overfishing had ended in America provide a case in point.

Overfishing 101: New England's First Year of Fishing Under Sectors

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:40:00 GMT

In May 2010, the New England Fishery Management Council began a system of cooperative fishing groups called sectors. Sector members create a business plan that makes clear how the allotment will be divided and how, when and where they will fish. Find out how this new management plan has fared over the past year.

Make Fisheries Funding a U.S. Priority!

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:50:00 GMT

Americans are speaking out and asking Congress to invest in our ocean fish populations.

The 7 Percent Solution for Summer Flounder

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:50:00 GMT

(Asbury Park Press) The summer flounder stock is keeping on its strong growth trajectory, and managers this week voted for a 7 percent boost in potential 2012 landings – to a new high of 31.6 million pounds.

Good News for Summer Flounder

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:30:00 GMT

It's no fluke. ... The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council increased the summer flounder quota for the fourth year in a row.

Summer Flounder Limits Likely to Increase Again Next Summer as Numbers Continue to Rebound

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:45:00 GMT

(Press of Atlantic City) The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, which regulates summer flounder, recommended increasing the 2012 harvest by 1.6 million pounds to 35.55 million pounds, at a meeting this week.

Overfishing 101: Why Rebuilding Fish Populations Benefits Everyone

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:25:00 GMT

All too often, leaders in Washington focus on the short-term impacts of potential policies to the detriment of long-term benefits to our environment and economy. Ongoing efforts in Congress to weaken the federal laws that govern marine resources are a great case in point.

Managing Fish and Fishing in America's Oceans

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:55:00 GMT

Ocean fish have served as a valuable source of nourishment, employment and recreation in the United States for centuries.

Overfishing 101: A Big Fish Story We Should Take Seriously

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:45:00 GMT

Almost everyone has a friend or a relative who loves to tell the tale of the "big one" that got away. And more often than not, that fish grows larger and larger with every telling of the story. I have to admit, as an avid angler, I may have been tempted to do this a time or two. But not all fish stories are tall tales.

Advocacy Group: Overfishing Cost Fishermen

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:15:00 GMT

(Miami Herald) A new study from an advocacy group shows that overfishing two years ago cost millions of dollars for fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic.

Chart: The Cost of Chronic Overfishing vs. the BP Oil Disaster

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:15:00 GMT

(The Atlantic) Overfishing occurs without much drama. But as the numbers show, its impact on fish is Deepwater Horizon-sized—and then some.

The Hidden Cost of Overfishing to Commercial Fishermen

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:25:00 GMT

A new report commissioned by the Pew Environment Group examines the impact of chronic overfishing in terms of lost revenue to commercial fishermen in three U.S. regions with the highest levels of overfishing. In 2009 alone, commercial fishermen in New England, the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions that targeted depleted ocean fish populations lost $164.2 million and realized just 25 percent of potential revenue.

Cod: The Fish that Made New England

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:20:00 GMT

Nothing tells a story like the eyewitnesses who were there. Old-timers in New England’s commercial cod fishery don’t want us to forget how we got where we are today. Overfishing—catching fish faster than they can reproduce—is still occurring on 10 of our dinner-time favorites like Atlantic cod. These “old salts” remember how different the fishing was just a few decades ago. In the words of one of them, “it was the most fantastic fishery I ever saw.”

New Study: Overfishing Cost Southeast Commercial Fishermen $15.2 M in Just One Year

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:20:00 GMT

An analysis commissioned by the Pew Environment Group shows commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic lost $12.3 million and $2.9 million respectively in 2009 due to population declines in important species, such as red snapper and gag grouper. Revenues could have been between 16 and 32 percent higher if several fish populations were at healthier levels.

Sunken Millions: The Hidden Cost of Overfishing to Commercial Fishermen

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:20:00 GMT

Overfishing results in significant economic losses. In the United States, chronic overfishing has depleted more than 20 percent of the country's most commercially and recreationally valuable ocean fish populations, including some species of cod, flounder, snapper and grouper. The biological consequences of unsustainable fishing have been studied extensively, but the economic impacts are seldom quantified.

Science-Based Management of America's Ocean Fish: A Growing Success Story

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:15:00 GMT

The United States is on the verge of completing a new science-based management system for ocean fish that will ensure sustainable fisheries. Congress should support managers as they achieve this goal, which will deliver an enduring legacy of healthy fish populations and thriving fishing businesses.

Overfishing Cost New England Fishermen at Least $149 Million in 2009

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:15:00 GMT

Because of decades of overfishing—catching fish faster than they can reproduce—in 2009, commercial fishermen in New England who targeted species such as cod, flounder, halibut and other bottom-dwelling "groundfish" lost at least $149 million and realized just 21 percent of potential revenues.

Overfishing 101: Understanding Fishery Management

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 20:40:00 GMT

(WAMU (Washington, D.C.) Animal House) Lee Crockett, director of federal fisheries policy for the Pew Environment group, gives WAMU's Animal House a crash course on overfishing - taking fish from their habitat faster than they can reproduce - which is a critical issue among conservationists because fish provide a vital link in the chain of events that sustain our oceans, lakes and waterways.

H.R. 2304: A Bill that Would Weaken Fisheries Science and Jeopardize Efforts to Prevent Overfishing

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:45:00 GMT

Congress should reject H.R. 2304 because it would undermine the progress we've made preventing overfishing for some of America's most valuable and vulnerable ocean fish populations.

H.R. 2304: A Bill that Would Weaken Fisheries Science and Undermine Efforts to Prevent Overfishing in the Gulf of Mexico

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:35:00 GMT

Congress should reject the misnamed and short-sighted "Fishery Science Improvement Act" by investing in fisheries data collection and monitoring programs to ensure healthy populations of important Gulf species such as cobia and vermillion snapper.

H.R. 2304: A Bill that Would Weaken Fisheries Science and Undermine Efforts to Prevent Overfishing in the Pacific

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:05:00 GMT

The misnamed “Fishery Science Improvement Act” would jeopardize the goal to ensurse sustainable fishing for all federally-managed ocean fish populations and put economically and ecologically important species such as Dover sole and northern anchovy at risk.

H.R. 2304: A Bill that Would Weaken Fisheries Science and Jeopardize Efforts to Prevent Overfishing

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:55:00 GMT

Congress should reject H.R. 2304 because it would undermine the progress we've made preventing overfishing for some of America's most valuable and vulnerable ocean fish populations.

H.R. 2304: A Bill that Would Weaken Fisheries Science and Undermine Efforts to Prevent Overfishing in the South Atlantic

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:40:00 GMT

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the federal law that governs management of our nation's ocean fish, requires managers to set science-based annual catch limits to ensure sustainable fishing for all federally-managed ocean fish populations by the end of 2011. The misnamed "Fishery Science Improvement Act" would jeopardize this goal and put economically and environmentally important species such as red porgy and gray triggerfish at risk.

Overfished?

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:30:00 GMT

(KUOW.org Weekday) Many fisheries scientists believe that overfishing will cause the imminent collapse of fish stocks throughout the world's oceans. How can fish populations be managed in a global economy?

Overfishing 101: How Science Helps Managers End Overfishing and Rebuild Depleted Fish Populations

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Industry representatives frequently charge that federal fisheries managers use bad science to make decisions. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Learn more about the use of research in setting policy and managing our marine resources.

Remembering Cod

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:10:00 GMT

Most old fishermen talk about the big ones that got away. But old cod fishermen are different. They relive the decades when they pulled enormous loads of thick, white-fleshed bottom fish out of the Atlantic almost every day.

Overfishing 101: Why Ending Overfishing is Good for Both Fish and Fishermen Alike

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:00:00 GMT

As a lifelong angler, I'm the first to admit that fishing can inspire passionate arguments about where, when and how to fish. But decisions about how to rebuild our depleted fish populations must be based on science and facts, not emotion or ideology.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act: Helping Restore New England's Valuable Fish Populations

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:05:00 GMT

After decades of overfishing, the storied New England groundfish fishery appears to be on the road to recovery thanks in large part to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Congress should support this success by rejecting any attemps to weaken the MSA.

Overfishing 101: Why Ending Overfishing Pays Off in the Long Run

Mon, 23 May 2011 14:25:00 GMT

Lee Crockett, Federal Fisheries Policy director, discusses the economic benefits of ending overfishing and why we can't quit just when the current law is beginning to work.

Overfishing 101: The Importance of Rebuilding Our Fish Populations Without Delay

Mon, 09 May 2011 16:10:00 GMT

Lee Crockett, Federal Fisheries Policy director, explores why efforts to delay rebuilding plans and legislative proposals to add so-called “flexibility” in managing fish populations are a bad idea that would only repeat past failed policies.

Overfishing 101: How Ocean Fish Populations are Managed in the U.S. (Part 2)

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:45:00 GMT

To effectively manage these populations, the U.S. needs to base its policy on science. Few topics arouse passions about ocean conservation more quickly than overfishing—taking more fish from our ocean than nature can replace—and what to do about it. In my experience, this debate too often sinks into the details and jargon of fisheries management, making it difficult for the lay person to understand the subject. In this post, I’d like to break it down in a way that is easier to understand.

Overfishing 101

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:40:04 GMT

Fishermen, conservationists and scientists have actively debated how best to manage our ocean fish populations for decades. But with so much at stake, it's critical that as many Americans as possible be actively engaged in this discussion. Lee Crockett's “Overfishing 101” blog series aims to do just that by providing a new outlet, in which we hope to open up the discussion to the larger public, cut through the rhetoric and encourage more people to participate in marine fish conservation.

Editorial: A Good Law That's Working

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:50:00 GMT

After years of overfishing, many fish populations have begun to recover. On Monday, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced that New England’s fishermen will be allowed to increase their catch of 11 commercially important fish stocks in Atlantic waters this summer.

Fisheries Management Laws Angled for Long Haul

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 15:35:00 GMT

Besides disco balls, bell-bottoms and lava lamps, the 1970s can lay claim to something far more important -- a host of landmark environmental laws. The Clean Air Act, Ocean Dumping Act and Clean Water Act changed our nation forever. And as a then-young Coast Guard seaman, I saw firsthand the improvements in managing our oceans after Congress passed the Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 35 years ago.

Summer's Coming; How Many Fish in the Ocean for New England?

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:55:00 GMT

Thirty-five years ago this week, Congress passed a law to rebuild depleted ocean fish populations. Today, experts say it has produced positive results along New England shores. Peter Baker, Northeast Fisheries Program manager for Pew Environment Group, says there has been plenty of fine-tuning of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), with multiple amendments over the last three-and-a-half decades. However, the result is that many fish, once in danger of disappearing from Atlantic waters, are now back to healthy population levels, he says.

How Minnesotans Can Fish for More Sustainable Ocean Life

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:30:10 GMT

This week marks the 35th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the federal law that is helping to rebuild America's depleted ocean fish populations and ensure their long-term sustainability. While the law has laid the groundwork, Peter Sorensen, professor of fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology at the University of Minnesota, believes individuals can also make a difference through their buying decisions.

Campaign Ad: Protect Our Investment - Don't Weaken the Magnuson-Stevens Act

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:25:00 GMT

On the 35th annivesary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Pew Environment ran the following ad in support of renewed bipartisan commitment to America's ocean legacy.

Overfishing 101: How Ocean Fish Populations are Managed in the U.S.

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:47:25 GMT

All too often the discussion around the issue of overfishing has been limited to a small group of stakeholders such as fishermen, conservationists and scientists. To help open up this debate to the broader public, I've developed a short series nicknamed "Overfishing 101." In this post, I'll take a look at some of the basics of why all Americans should care about how our ocean fish are managed.

America's Fishing Law on the Line

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:05:00 GMT

Enjoyed some tasty New England scallops lately? Reeled in a Gulf of Mexico red snapper? Feasted on some mid-Atlantic summer flounder? Aside from your fishing talents or culinary prowess, you have federal fishery law to thank.

Meet the Experts: Lee Crockett, Director, Federal Fisheries Policy

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:15:00 GMT

Meet the Pew Environment Group's Federal Fisheries Policy Director Lee Crockett.

Success Story: Rebuilding America's Fisheries with One Single Act

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:10:00 GMT

In honor of the 35th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, a law that is helping to rebuild America’s depleted fish populations, Pew reviews some remarkable successes.

Overfishing 101: A Beginner's Guide to Understanding U.S. Fishery Management

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Fishermen, conservationists and scientists have actively debated how best to manage our ocean fish populations for decades. But with so much at stake, it's critical that as many Americans as possible be actively engaged in this discussion. The “Overfishing 101” blog series aims to do just that by providing a new outlet, in which we hope to open up the discussion to the larger public, cut through the rhetoric and encourage more people to participate in marine fish conservation.

Restoring the Bounty of Our Oceans

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:25:00 GMT

Fish are essential to life in the world’s oceans. They are the predators or prey of virtually every creature that swims with them or flies above the sea.

New NOAA Catch Share Policy Shows that Design Matters

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:15:00 GMT

Catch share programs can improve fisheries environmental and economic performance and management, but only if properly designed and monitored.

Letter: Correction to Article on Flounder Quotas

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:05:00 GMT

The article "Increased quotas prove flexibility works" (Aug. 26) misrepresents Pew's support for the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's decision to increase the 2011 quota for summer flounder and the effectiveness of the current fisheries law itself

Letter: Pew Responds to Our Comments About MSC Certification of South Atlantic Swordfish

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:45:00 GMT

In an August 19, 2010, editorial, (MSC slaps hand of Pew for email campaign against swordfish assessment) John Sackton relays and expands on concerns raised by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) about the Pew Environment Group.

Pew Environment Group on the Death of Former Senator Ted Stevens

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:05:00 GMT

Joshua S. Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today on the death of former Senator Ted Stevens.

Statement on the Fishery Conservation Transition Act

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:40:00 GMT

Lee Crockett, director of federal fisheries policy for the Pew Environment Group, and Holly Binns, manager of Pew’s Campaign to End Overfishing in the Southeast, issued this joint statement today on Senator Bill Nelson’s (D-Fla.) legislation to weaken a key federal fishery law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and delay plans to end overfishing and rebuild the severely depleted South Atlantic red snapper.

Pew Urges Thoughtful Approach to Catch Shares in Light of New Report on West Coast Trawl Fishery Proposal

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:20:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group’s Lee Crockett, director of Federal Fisheries Policy, and Peter Baker, manager for New England Fisheries Campaigns, today commented on a new study by Ecotrust that found design concerns in the proposed West Coast trawl fishery catch share program. Support for this report was provided by the Pew Environment Group.

PEG's Comments on Draft NOAA Catch Share Policy

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:25:00 GMT

The key to a successful catch shares program is how it is designed and implemented.

Trawling for a Fishing Solution

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:35:00 GMT

Living on Earth host Jeff Young explores ways to chart the right course for our fragile fisheries.

Pew Applauds NOAA for its Conservation-Minded Catch Shares Policy

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:25:00 GMT

Lee Crockett, director of Federal Fisheries Policy at the Pew Environment Group, today issued the following statement in response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) release of its draft policy on the use of catch shares in federal fisheries.

Design Matters: Making Catch Shares Work

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:20:00 GMT

Catch shares are fishery management programs that allocate fishing privileges in the form of a specific portion of the total annual catch quota.

Statement on the Hilborn-Worm Study on Rebuilding Global Fisheries Published in 'Science'

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:35:00 GMT

Rebecca Goldburg, director of Marine Science at the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to a paper published in the journal Science.

Investing in Our Future: The Economic Case for Rebuilding Mid-Atlantic Fish Populations

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:20:00 GMT

Rebuilding depleted fish populations must be a priority, both for the health of our ocean ecosystems and our coastal communities. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary law that governs our ocean fisheries, supports this by mandating an end to overfishing and rebuilding depleted fish populations within 10 years, if biologically possible.

Pew Environment Group, Ocean Conservation Coalition Urges Congress to Oppose Fisheries Legislation

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:10:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group and 44 national, regional and state conservation groups today pressed congressional leaders to oppose “The Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009,” saying the legislation would allow overexploitation of vulnerable fish populations.

Editorial: Save the Snapper

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:25:00 GMT

A federal agency that manages fisheries off the Georgia and South Carolina coasts is expected to decide today whether to ban all types of red snapper fishing.

New England Fisheries at Critical Crossroads

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:25:00 GMT

Once there was such an abundance of cod, haddock and flounder in the waters just off our shores that as the saying goes, "you could walk across Cape Cod Bay on the backs of cod." New England was built on fisheries. Those days, however, are long gone.

Presidential Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:15:00 GMT

On January 21, 2009, President Obama issued a memorandum on transparency and open government.

Statement of Lee Crockett, Director, Federal Fisheries Policy, Pew Environment Group, on the Bush Administration Finalizing the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Annual Catch Limit Rule

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:10:00 GMT

Lee Crockett, director of Federal Fisheries Policy at the Pew Environment Group, today issued the following statement in response to the National Marine Fisheries Service finalizing its annual catch limit rule.

Statement of Peter Baker, Pew Environment Group, on the National Marine Fisheries Service Interim Groundfish Management Rule for the 2009 Fishing Year

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:40:00 GMT

Peter Baker, manager of the Pew Environment Group's End Overfishing in New England campaign, today issued the following statement in response to the National Marine Fisheries Service announcement of its interim rule for managing groundfish (including cod, haddock and flounder) in New England for the 2009 fishing year.

Bush Administration to Withdraw Controversial Environmental Review Proposal

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:15:00 GMT

The Bush administration has decided to withdraw a proposed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rule before it leaves office that would have given more control over environmental reviews to the fishing industry while limiting the public’s ability to participate in key decisions impacting the oceans.

Groups Urge Office of Management and Budget to Stop Last Minute Rush to Finalize Environmental Rules

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:20:00 GMT

A coalition of national environmental groups today urged the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the agency responsible for overseeing the federal rulemaking process, to stop finalizing rules that would significantly weaken bedrock environmental protections that the agency classifies as not "economically significant."

Council's Change Offers Hope to Region's Fishermen

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:10:00 GMT

With the support of many forward-thinking commercial fishing organizations, the industry’s regional governing body, the New England Fishery Management Council, recently sent a clear signal that New England will move away from the current failed fisheries management system in favor of a structure that can rebuild fish stocks and bring profitability back to the region’s cod and groundfish fleet.

A Last Push to Deregulate; White House to Ease Many Rules

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:10:00 GMT

The White House is working to enact a wide array of federal regulations, many of which would weaken government rules aimed at protecting consumers and the environment, before President Bush leaves office in January.

Sectors Could Be Last Chance to Save Fishery

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:25:00 GMT

Management of New England's traditional cod and groundfish fishery is at a crossroads.

Statement on the Close of Comment Period for the National Marine Fisheries Service's Annual Catch Limit Proposed Rule

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:25:00 GMT

Lee Crockett, director of Federal Fisheries Policy at the Pew Environment Group, today issued the following statement in response to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) closing its comment period on its annual catch limit proposed rule.

Statement on the Latest Stock Assessment of New England Groundfish Populations

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:25:00 GMT

Peter Baker, manager of the Pew Environment Group’s New England Fisheries Campaign, today issued the following statement in response to the most recent stock assessment of New England groundfish (including cod, haddock and flounder) from the Third Groundfish Assessment Review Meeting.

Playing Shell Games with Sea Turtles

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:45:00 GMT

Sea turtles, despite the best efforts of conservationists, are still in peril; all seven species are listed under the Endangered Species Act. The most at risk is the Kemp's ridley, which has about 7,000 nesting females, down from 42,000 in 1947.

The More We Fish, the Smaller They Get

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:25:00 GMT

A new study finds that over-fishing actually changes a fish's biology and makes it smaller. Janet Babin looks into depleted fisheries in New England, where shrinking cod are on the brink of economic extinction.

Administration Receives Roughly 200,000 Comments Opposing Its Fisheries Proposal

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:30:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group today joined 80 congressional leaders, hundreds of scientists and environmental and fishing organizations, and nearly 200,000 members of the general public in urging the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to rewrite its proposed fisheries rule that would undercut the nation’s bedrock environmental law, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

New Rules Could Save Our Fish

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:50:00 GMT

Located on the far northeastern tip of Newfoundland, a three-hour ferry ride from the nearest town, lies the small fishing village of Great Harbour Deep.

Statement of Lee Crockett, Director, Federal Fisheries Policy, Pew Environment Group, on National Marine Fisheries Meeting

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:35:00 GMT

Lee Crockett, director of Federal Fisheries Policy at the Pew Environment Group, today issued the following statement in response to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) meeting on proposed rules governing annual catch limits.

Statement of Lee Crockett, Director, Federal Fisheries Policy for the Pew Environment Group, on the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Environmental Review Proposal

Wed, 14 May 2008 13:35:00 GMT

Today, the National Marine Fisheries Service published in the Federal Register its proposed rulemaking on how the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the nation’s preeminent environmental law, applies to federal ocean fisheries management.

Opportunity for Bush Administration to Enhance its Ocean Legacy Threatened by Shortsighted Interests

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:45:00 GMT

Ocean luminaries and fisheries experts today recognized the Bush administration for its efforts to end overfishing and preserve ecologically significant areas of the ocean.

Statement on the U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:55:00 GMT

Statement of Lee Crockett, Director, Federal Fisheries Policy, Pew Environment Group, on the U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card.

Scientists: Human Activities Affecting World's Oceans

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:25:00 GMT

Human activities are affecting every square mile of the world's oceans, according to a study by a team of American, British and Canadian researchers who mapped the severity of the effects from pole to pole.

Standing Up for Fisheries, Fishing Communications

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:55:00 GMT

Growing up near the ocean in Massachusetts, I not only stored up many fond memories of fishing, swimming and sailing with friends and family, but also gained a deep appreciation for the close links between coastal communities and the health of the marine ecosystem. That's why I feel it's so important not to let the erroneous assertions in Jim Hutchinson Jr.'s column from Dec. 16, "Falling for fisheries collapse, hook, line, sinker," go unchallenged.

Summer Flounder Catch Quotas Must Reflect Solid Science

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:55:00 GMT

Contrary to a Nov. 9 John Geiser column, "Environmentalists, anglers at odds over summer flounder fishery," the Pew Charitable Trusts' Environment Group is not calling for closure in 2009 of the summer flounder fishery. Instead, we advocate taking a cue from striped bass management and heeding scientific warnings to take aggressive action to restore summer flounder stocks before it's too late.

Feds Flunk First Test of New Fish Law

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:00:00 GMT

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), ignoring scientific advice and a mandate from Congress and President Bush to end overfishing, has recommended a quota of 15.77 million pounds for the 2008 summer flounder fishing season, endangering the recovery of this depleted population.

What's Good for Bass is Good for Flounder

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:35:00 GMT

Recently, when President Bush called for an end to commercial fishing for striped bass in federal ocean waters, he highlighted one of the rare success stories in the management of America's marine fisheries. Not so long ago, the populations of this immensely popular game fish were on the brink of collapse. However, the imposition of a 10-year fishing moratorium saved them from going the way of cod and other fish that once were abundant in U.S. waters but no longer are.

Identifying Sustainable Seafood Can Be a Fishing Expedition

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:50:00 GMT

Seafood - the must-have omega-3 source - that we buy and eat can make a difference in the health of the oceans. Exactly what fish we take from the oceans, how much and how it is caught impacts the interconnected chain of ocean life.

Editorial: Fluke on the Brink

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:50:00 GMT

Of all the ingredients of a successful summertime party-boat fishing trip in the Northeast — beer, ice, sunscreen and fluke as big as doormats — only one comes in limited supplies. Like many other species, fluke have been overfished for decades. A serious test of whether the federal government can finally change that, and protect other species as well, is at hand.

Nations To Limit S. Pacific Trawling

Sat, 05 May 2007 15:55:00 GMT

More than 20 nations agreed yesterday to discourage unregulated and destructive bottom trawling in the South Pacific, a victory for environmental groups.

Oceans' Health Linked to Warming, Advocates Hope to Capitalize on Climate-Change Talks

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 20:40:00 GMT

People in low-lying coastal zones, like much of the state of Florida, might want to take a better look at the ocean waters that a new global warming report predicts will steadily creep ashore.

Farmed Fish Swim to the Fore

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:55:00 GMT

The future of fish looks a lot like an underwater UFO.Half a mile off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, vast mesh cages are suspended on 65-foot steel poles. Inside each, 50,000 silver and yellow fish dart through the clear ocean water. They are a Hawaiian breed known as kahala, relatives of the Japanese hamachi or yellowtail, farmed in 200-foot-deep water by Kona Blue Water Farms.

Editorial: Good Fish News, Congress Passes A Surprisingly Strong Bill to Prevent Overfishing

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:55:00 GMT

Before leaving town, Congress passed an important piece of legislation for the health of America's oceans.

House Approves Overhaul of Rules for Fisheries

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 19:15:00 GMT

Congress yesterday passed the broadest overhaul of the rules that govern the U.S. fishing industry in a decade, with provisions instructing fishery managers to adhere strictly to scientific advice so as not to deplete the ocean.

Blame Iceland

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 20:45:00 GMT

In a form of fishing known as bottom trawling, huge, weighted nets are dragged across the ocean floor, destroying corals and just about everything else in their path. In U.S. waters, the practice is tightly regulated -- and forbidden in certain environmentally sensitive areas.

Editorial: Blame Iceland, A Tiny Country that Still Hunts Whales Scuttles an Effort to Save the Ocean Bottom

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 16:30:00 GMT

In a form of fishing known as bottom trawling, huge, weighted nets are dragged across the ocean floor, destroying corals and just about everything else in their path.

Pew Unable to Negotiate Early End to Fishery

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 20:50:00 GMT

When President Bush designated the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as the world's largest marine reserve, he recognized the long-term conservation, cultural, scientific and educational benefits to Hawai'i would dwarf any potential loss of economic activity.

Pew Trusts Gives Up on Fishermen Buyouts

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 20:50:00 GMT

The Pew Charitable Trusts, which had offered to compensate commercial fishing interests in return for retiring their licenses to fish the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, has ended its efforts, saying it could not interest enough of the fishers.Managing Director Joshua Reichert is quoted.

Your Favorite Seafood May Be in Peril, Study Says

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:35:00 GMT

If overfishing and other trends harming fish stocks around the world continue on their current path, we'll be saying sayonara to the seafood we love best in coming decades, according to a new scientific study published today.

World's Fish Supply Running Out, Researchers Warn

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:35:00 GMT

An international group of ecologists and economists warned yesterday that the world will run out of seafood by 2048 if steep declines in marine species continue at current rates, based on a four-year study of catch data and the effects of fisheries collapses.

Study Sees 'Global Collapse' of Fish Species

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:30:00 GMT

If fishing around the world continues at its present pace, more and more species will vanish, marine ecosystems will unravel and there will be “global collapse” of all species currently fished, possibly as soon as midcentury, fisheries experts and ecologists are predicting.

Study: 90% of the Ocean's Edible Species may be Gone by 2048

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:25:00 GMT

Oversight of commercial fishing must be strengthened or there may eventually be no more seafood.That's the conclusion of a report in today's Science journal that predicts 90% of the fish and shellfish species that are hauled from the ocean to feed people worldwide may be gone by 2048.

Seafood Supply Could Disappear in 42 Years

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:20:00 GMT

The world's supply of seafood — the major protein source for nearly one in six people — could be gone by 2048 if current trends continue, according to a new study published in the journal Science.

Editorial: No Fish Story, Imagine a World Without Seafood

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:10:00 GMT

For years, scientists, environmentalists, responsible fishermen and others who care about the health of marine ecosystems have been warning about overfishing and other practices that destroy oceanic biodiversity.

Statement of Joshua Reichert on the “Impacts of Biodiversity Loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services” Report

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 14:45:00 GMT

A major study published today in the journal Science documents that roughly one third of the world's commercial fisheries have collapsed, and that unless current trends are reversed, all of the world's commercial fisheries are likely to have collapsed in less than 50 years.

U.S. Seeks High-Seas Ban on Bottom Trawling

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 18:40:00 GMT

President Bush called for a halt to destructive fishing on the high seas Tuesday and said the United States will work to eliminate or better regulate practices such as bottom trawling that devastate fish populations and the ocean floor.

Conservation Coalition Group Welcomes Shark Finning Decision

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 19:55:00 GMT

The Shark Alliance - a coalition of international non-governmental organisations dedicated to restoring and conserving shark populations by improving European fishing policy - has welcomed the European Parliament's decision to tighten up shark finning regulations.

Editorial: Tiny, Innumerable, Threatened

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 15:15:00 GMT

Antarctica has deservedly been called the last great wilderness on Earth, home of not only majestic icy vistas but a unique animal kingdom all its own - a kingdom whose food chain rests primarily on a tiny ocean creature now facing a threat that could ripple all the way through penguins, seals, whales and on up to humans.

Editorial: We're Killing Our Oceans; Seas Without Life

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 18:30:00 GMT

Labor Day is gone. The Shore is quiet now. Most beachgoers have packed away chairs and umbrellas and turned their thoughts to school and football.But come Memorial Day, they'll be back, expecting the solace, nourishment or income they've always derived from the ocean. The question is: What will they find?

Other Fish to Fry

Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:45:00 GMT

After years of carving up tuna carcasses in my bathtub, catching cod in the dead of winter and cooking fish and chips for crowds of 50-plus I have come to be known among my friends as the fish guy

Hopes Brighten for Curb on Damaging Ocean Fishing

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 18:50:00 GMT

Less than 1 percent of the world's commercial fish catch comes from trawling the ocean floor of the high seas.

Science and Citizenship

Fri, 13 Feb 2004 18:55:00 GMT

Scientists from around the world are in Seattle for the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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