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.
Maya Martin and Susan Ryan of The Outlaw Ocean Project joined the Marine Fish Conservation Network for a Waterside Chat on October 29, 2026. The Project has recently published a serious of deep dives into the dark side of the fishing industry around the world, including wage-slavery and terrible environmental practices. Watch now: About Waterside […]
On October 19, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources released the results of its 2026 juvenile striped bass abundance survey. The 2026 survey recorded a juvenile abundance index value (JAI) of 5.5, the highest since 2018, but still barely half the long-term average of 10.8. Maryland’s juvenile abundance survey data provides a time series dating […]
Top photo: Black sea bass (seen here on Gray’s Reef off Georgia) are one of the many species that depend on the Oculina Reef Pop quiz: What is the name of Jimmy Buffett’s band? If you guessed the Coral Reefer Band, you were right. Notwithstanding the not so subtle reference to non-marine substances, the coral […]
By Bill Mott, co-founder and senior advisor to World Ocean Project (formerly The Ocean Project), and Suzanne Iudicello, principal at Iudicello and Associates, an environmental consultant firm to fishing organizations, government agencies and foundations. Top photo by Mark Stebniki via Pexels. Conservation advocates were largely the new kids on the dock when it came to […]
Chris Moore and Will Poston of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation joined host Tom Sadler and the Marine Fish Conservation Network for a Waterside Chat on September 30, 2026. They focused on the importance of menhaden (a small forage fish) to bay ecosystems and why we need to act now to make sure they — and […]
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.
