Defending NOAA

Defending NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plays an integral part in the daily operations of fishing and seafood businesses around our country. This agency sets science-based research and regulations to keep fisheries healthy and productive, so that they in turn can support millions of commercial and recreational fishing jobs and provide a steady and reliable […]

Legislation to Expand Fishing Businesses Loans Reintroduced

Legislation to Expand Fishing Businesses Loans Reintroduced

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), along with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), introduced The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act, S. 1217 and H.R. 2818. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would provide access to loans from the Farm Credit System for businesses that supply qualifying goods and services […]

Legislation Would Safeguard and Strengthen America’s Working Waterfronts and Fishing Communities

Legislation Would Safeguard and Strengthen America’s Working Waterfronts and Fishing Communities

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. […]

It’s Official: Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Becomes a Reality!

It’s Official: Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Becomes a Reality!

Indigenous collaborative co-stewardship will drive management For National Marine Sanctuary Day, the Marine Fish Conservation Network celebrates its newest addition: the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary! On October 11, NOAA announced America’s 17th national marine sanctuary, Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. The first Tribally nominated national marine sanctuary covers 4,543 square miles of coastal and […]

Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Continues to Move Forward

Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Continues to Move Forward

Top photo: View of Cojo Anchorage in the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. (Image credit: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA) On September 6, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the final environmental impact statement (EIS), outlining the environmental impacts of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. The final EIS is an important and necessary […]

FISH Act Helps Ready the U.S. Seafood Industry for the Future

FISH Act Helps Ready the U.S. Seafood Industry for the Future

Rep. Mary Peltola’s reputation as an advocate for fishing and Native Alaskan fishing communities was never more evident than with the introduction of her Fisheries Improvement and Seafood Health (FISH) Act in June 2024. At a time when more and more legislation is introduced to do nothing more than “send a message” about the sponsor’s […]

Marine Sanctuary Proposed for Hawai’i’s Globally Significant Marine Monument

Marine Sanctuary Proposed for Hawai’i’s Globally Significant Marine Monument

One of the things I talked with Joel R. Johnson, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, during our recent Waterside Chat was the potential for a national marine sanctuary in the marine portions of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. On February 29, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released for public comment draft […]

Reintroduced: The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act

Reintroduced: The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act

U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) have reintroduced the bipartisan Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act, H.R. 6641. The legislation establishes a Working Waterfront Grant Program to help preserve and expand access to coastal waters for water-dependent businesses, create a Working Waterfronts Preservation Loan Fund to make funds available through state governments for […]