Author Archives: Tom Sadler

New Public Comment Opportunity on the Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

Posted by Sep 6, 2023 Featured, Public Lands, Sustainable Seafood Leave a Comment
New Public Comment Opportunity on the Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

On August 25, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced a 60-day comment period (ends October 25) on the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary draft management plan and environmental impact statement (EIS), which will determine the final boundaries, permitted activities, and general regulations of the marine sanctuary. NOAA is hosting in-person and virtual informational […]

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Legislation Focuses on the Chesapeake Bay

Posted by Aug 30, 2023 Commercial Fishing, Featured, Policy, Public Lands, Recreational Fishing, Summer Flounder Leave a Comment
Legislation Focuses on the Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay is an iconic marine ecosystem that inspires stories, songs, and lifelong memories. I’ve fished, hunted, and raced sailboats in and around the bay. And while now I live in the headwaters of the bay watershed, I continue to be closely connected to it. This summer, members of Congress in the Chesapeake Bay […]

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Senator Murkowski’s ‘Improving ARCTIC’ Act

Posted by Aug 11, 2023 Commercial Fishing, Featured, Policy, Sustainable Seafood, Working Waterfronts Leave a Comment
Senator Murkowski’s ‘Improving ARCTIC’ Act

Senator Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) legislation, the Improving Agriculture, Research, Cultivation, Timber, and Indigenous Commodities (ARCTIC) Act, is a comprehensive piece of legislation containing provisions that are important to small commercial fishermen, working waterfronts, and indigenous fishing communities. The legislation seeks to improve federal agricultural programs so more groups can benefit from them. “We applaud Senator […]

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Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act

Posted by Aug 2, 2023 Featured, Policy, Public Lands Leave a Comment
Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act

New legislation taps a uniquely trained and highly motivated workforce eager to contribute to conservation. The Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act, S. 1918, introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), co-chairs of the Senate Oceans caucus, creates a grant program to hire, retrain, and redeploy veterans to work on coastal, […]

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Land-Based Farm Credit System Could Expand to Fishing Businesses under New Bill

Posted by Jul 19, 2023 Featured, Policy, Sustainable Seafood, Working Waterfronts Leave a Comment
Land-Based Farm Credit System Could Expand to Fishing Businesses under New Bill

Recently introduced legislation could be a big help to fishing-related businesses and fishing communities. The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Angus King and Lisa Murkowski, would provide access to loans from the Farm Credit System for businesses that supply goods and services to the fishing fleet. “The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement […]

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New Video Highlights Economic Value of Fishing Communities

Posted by Mar 16, 2023 Commercial Fishing, Featured, Halibut, Salmon, Sustainable Seafood, Working Waterfronts Leave a Comment
New Video Highlights Economic Value of Fishing Communities

“Instead of more fish today, we want more fish forever.” – Stephen Rhoads Our colleagues at the Alaska Longline Fisherman’s Association (ALFA) are featured in an inspiring new video, Alaska’s Sustainable Fishing Legacy [watch below]. It’s part of the Farms Across America series. MFCN’s Network Policy Council co-chair, Linda Behnken, is joined by Stephen Rhoads, […]

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Does the Inflation Reduction Act Fund Network Partners’ Priorities?

Posted by Aug 31, 2022 Climate Change, Commercial Fishing, Featured, Policy, Sustainable Seafood Leave a Comment
Does the Inflation Reduction Act Fund Network Partners’ Priorities?

When the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (H.R. 5376) cleared its last congressional hurdle on August 12th, Robert Vandermark, the Network’s executive director, released the following statement applauding its passage: U.S. ocean fisheries support American fishing and seafood industries that have been important drivers to our nation’s economy for generations. Our fisheries sustain local businesses […]

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