The 118th Congress has been an eventful one so far, that’s for sure. We’ve seen some movement on fisheries and oceans issues this year, and expect more to come. But we can’t overlook the unprecedented action the House of Representatives recently took, making history for that chamber, and one we’ll all be talking about for […]
Author Archives: Rob Vandermark
A View from the Hill: 2022 in Review
Happy Holidays from our nation’s capital! As 2022 comes to a close, we’re looking back at significant actions that Congress took on oceans and fisheries policy this year. Update This week (12/19-25) is the last week of the 117th Congress. The text of the $1.7 trillion FY23 omnibus spending package was released just before 2:00am […]
Representation Matters in Fisheries Management
Science-based fisheries management has been the key to maintaining long-term healthy and abundant fisheries upon which coastal and Indigenous communities depend. The law that ensures the successful and sustainable science-based management of U.S. federal fisheries is the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which has been evolving since it first passed in 1976 to end […]
National Marine Sanctuary System Celebrates 50 Years!
Top photo: Kids bodyboarding in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, via NOAA Congratulations to the National Marine Sanctuary System, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year! Since its establishment on October 23, 1972, the National Marine Sanctuary System has grown into a national network of 15 marine sanctuaries plus the Papahānaumokuākea and Rose […]
Bristol Bay Update: Your Chance to Help Protect the Bay Today
Top photo: Brown bear fishing in the Bristol Bay watershed, just one of the countless animals that depend on the bounty of the bay At the Marine Fish Conservation Network, we’ve advocated for protecting Bristol Bay in Alaska for many years. Today we have news to share and an opportunity for you to take action […]
The America COMPETES Act moves on to the Senate: What’s relevant to MFCN?
In early February, the House passed the America COMPETES Act, a bill that intends to enhance U.S. competitiveness with China by strengthening America’s supply chain, among other things. The bill has now moved on to the Senate where it is expected to be conferenced with Senate legislation that passed last year. The Senate bill was […]
Join Us January 21st for the Network’s First Waterside Chat, Featuring Linda Behnken
Join us for an online discussion with Linda Behnken on January 21st, at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, the first episode of the Network’s new livestream series, Waterside Chat. Linda will talk with the Network’s Tom Sadler about challenges facing small commercial fishermen in Alaska and around the country. Register for the free Waterside Chat […]
A View from the Hill: October 2021
What a year it’s been so far. While infrastructure and reconciliation remain a focus of Capitol Hill and nearly all of D.C., there has been action on several other Network priorities this past year. In January, a stunned nation and world watched a mob swarm the Capitol building, former President Trump was a impeached a […]