FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2025
CONTACT: Jo Knight, jo@conservefish.org
Fully-funded Operations, Research and Facilities are Essential for Sustaining Healthy Fisheries that Support Coastal Economies
Arlington, VA – The Marine Fish Conservation Network today sent letters to Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations and to Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations requesting that FY26 funds for the Operations, Research and Facilities account at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) be kept at FY24 levels or above. Congress reportedly has been considering cuts to NOAA’s budget, which could jeopardize the agency’s ability to manage ocean fisheries that support American jobs and businesses. View the Senate and House letters [PDF].
The Network’s letters to both Committees on Appropriations have also been released as a statement by Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network:
The Appropriations Committee has the opportunity to further America’s progress in fisheries management and continue to rebuild our fishery resources for economic prosperity, seafood security, recreational enjoyment, and increased ocean health by providing full funding to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), especially the Operations, Research and Facilities Account (ORF), which includes the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The importance of NOAA’s role in the safety and success of the fishing and seafood industries is indisputable. From recreational and small-boat commercial fishermen to seafood purveyors and chefs, people depend on science-based management of our fisheries and oceans to ensure they can keep their businesses and local economies going and deliver healthy, domestic seafood to the tables of millions of Americans. U.S. fisheries generate approximately 2.3 million jobs and more than $470 billion to our economy. We need the fisheries experts and resources at NOAA to do the hard work of keeping our oceans healthy and our fisheries productive so coastal communities and working waterfronts continue to thrive and seafood lovers across the nation can enjoy the ocean’s bounty.
Small businesses, commercial fishermen and recreational anglers depend on the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) to protect fish populations, manage federal fisheries, and safeguard ecologically important habitat. Without these essential functions, marine ecosystems and the livelihoods that they support are at risk.
We believe NOAA’s ORF account requires consistent and dedicated funding at mission-achievable levels of no less than FY24 amounts. Anything less would endanger the intergenerational fishing culture that forms the economic and social fabric of the coastal United States. We request that the Senate Appropriations Committee designate FY26 funds for ORF at FY24 levels or above so that our fisheries can continue to support American jobs and businesses.
The Marine Fish Conservation Network (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 working waterfront communities through defending and strengthening U.S. ocean conservation policy and science-based fisheries management.
Our mission is to conserve and revitalize wild ocean fisheries for the economic betterment, cultural enrichment, and health benefit of people and communities nationwide. We are dedicated to ensuring that abundant, productive, and resilient U.S. ocean fisheries will provide jobs, economic security, and sustainable domestic seafood now and for future generations.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
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The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a coalition of commercial and recreational fishing associations, regional and national conservation groups, aquaria, and marine science organizations committed to sustaining fish populations, healthy marine ecosystems, and robust fishing communities.
