A Victory for North Atlantic Right Whales
In a major win for endangered North Atlantic right whales, a federal judge ruled that gillnet fishing gear must be removed from 3,000 nautical miles of ocean waters in southern New England. CLF sued the federal government last year for opening up two areas south and east of Nantucket to expanded fishing without considering harm to right whales. Opening these areas put dangerous gear in the middle of a right whale hotspot. It also violated the Endangered Species Act and our federal fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Act. … More Info
NMFS Receives Failing Grades on 2018 Status Report
NMFS recently released its 2018 Status of the Stocks report. While general progress is being made towards sustainable fisheries at the national level, fish stocks in New England and highly migratory species continue to struggle under poor management. It’s time for NMFS to take responsibility for both its successes and failures. … More Info
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, July 12
In this week’s Fish Talk in the News, California Congressman announces listening tour for MSA reauthorization bill; Maine approves blackbelly rosefish approved as bait source for lobstermen; town and fishermen are concerned about delays at Chatham Fish Pier; and Vineyard Wind faces new delay. … More Info
Happy Earth Day 2019!
It’s Earth Day – the perfect opportunity to take a moment to appreciate our environment for all its wonder and beauty. More importantly, it’s a day to think about what each of us can do to leave the Earth just a little better than how we found it. Keeping the big blue in mind, here are five ways you can help make a difference. … More Info
A Look Back at 2018
As 2018 draws to a close, let’s take a look back at the topics and top stories highlighted on Talking Fish this year. Per usual, it was quite the busy year for New England fisheries and ocean issues. … More Info
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, July 13
In this week’s Fish Talk in the News, the House passes MSA reauthorization bill; RI denied seats on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; no right whale deaths in Canada; a new online source shows East Coast offshore wind projects; the UN predicts growth in world fish production; a pilot study says there is limited availability of local seafood in New England; and MA senators support right whale bill. … More Info
H.R. 200 Hurts Fish and Fishermen
Yesterday, in a troubling vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 200, jeopardizing the future of sustainable fisheries and insulting the years of bipartisan, science-based efforts that have defined fisheries management in the United States. … More Info
The Magnuson-Stevens Act: A Safety Net for the Future
Despite the success of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, certain recreational and commercial fishing interests are now supporting legislation, H.R. 200, that would return us to a past they seem to have conveniently forgotten. … More Info
Fish Talk in the News – Friday, June 22
In this week’s Fish Talk in the News, Trump revokes the National Ocean Policy; H.R. 200 headed for House floor vote next week; fishermen urge regulators to establish 50-mile buffer zone for herring trawlers; new Chinese tariffs could affect Maine lobster market; Brewster plans commercial razor clam pilot program; and Maine renews Cooke license for 10-acre aquaculture site. … More Info
NOAA Reports on Status of the Stocks
NOAA Fisheries recently released the Status of the Stocks 2017 report. This report is an annual update to Congress on the condition of managed fisheries in the United States and provides the opportunity to reflect on the year’s progress as well as identify opportunities for improvement. … More Info
