Healthy oceans and productive fisheries are crucial for the future of our planet, the survival of our species, and the prosperity of our country. Learn why effective management of U.S. federal fisheries is critical for the long-term conservation of our oceans.
Abundant fisheries begin with the right policies. See how developments on Capitol Hill and in federal agencies affect the people who work on the water. Learn how the Network defends and strengthens federal fisheries policy to work effectively for fishermen, fishing communities, and the oceans on which we all depend.
Watch our monthly Waterside Chats or listen to the podcasts. Read our blog, join our email list and follow the Network on Facebook and Twitter to learn what’s stirring the waters when it comes to fisheries management, working waterfronts, recreational angling and much more.
Tim Bristol joined host Tom Sadler and the Marine Fish Conservation Network for an online Waterside Chat on March 4, 2025. Tim is SalmonState’s executive director, and he has had a long career in environment conservation, having worked for Trout Unlimited in Alaska, the Alaska Coalition, the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, and the Save Our […]
This article was adapted from the Alaska Marine Conservation Council’s blog and reposted with permission. Top photo: Alaskabrown bear with chum salmon, by Alan Vernon via Wikipedia At the recent North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) meeting in February, the Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) testified, urging decisive action to address chum salmon bycatch in […]
U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) have once again reintroduced the bipartisan Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act, H.R. 1808. “The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act is welcomed legislation for restoring and maintaining waterfront infrastructure and ensuring ocean access for commercial businesses, recreation, tourism, and traditional uses,” said MFCN Executive Director Robert Vandermark. […]
Read Part I of this two-article series Throughout most of the past twenty years, the Southern New England lobster stock steadily declined, and eventually collapsed, while fishery managers failed to take any meaningful action to address the problem. Yet, even as southern New England lobster abundance fell to new lows, Gulf of Maine lobster were […]
Read Part II of this two-article series Two decades ago, the future of the Southern New England lobster stock, which ranges from Cape Cod south to Virginia or so, began to look bleak. As early as 2006, a stock assessment noted that “stock abundance is relatively low compared to the 20-year time series and fishing […]
The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a coalition of commercial and recreational fishing associations, regional and national conservation groups, aquaria, sustainable seafood suppliers, and marine science organizations dedicated to sustaining abundant fish populations, healthy marine ecosystems, and thriving fishing communities through defending and strengthening U.S. ocean conservation policy, including our primary federal fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Learn more.
