Ocean Moment with Congressman Rob Wittman

Ocean Moment with Congressman Rob Wittman

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia When you hear from residents in your district or state about ocean-related issues, what concerns them most? Why do these issues matter so much to them? The number one issue I hear from constituents on oceans/marine ecosystems issues is marine resource sustainability. As more and more […]

The Cost of Delay in Fisheries Management

The Cost of Delay in Fisheries Management

Striped bass; photo via Dave Monti Fisheries management breeds controversy. No matter how badly a management measure is needed, some people will argue against it. Sometimes they challenge the science, and say that a stock is healthier than biologists claim. Sometimes, they allege that the economic harm that a measure may cause outweighs any benefit […]

A View from the Hill: July 2019

A View from the Hill: July 2019

It has been several weeks since our last View from the Hill post, but much has happened within the halls of Congress, particularly in the House. Much of May and June was focused on marking up and passing annual appropriation bills in the House. The full House Appropriations Committee marked up its FY2020 Commerce, Justice […]

Partner Spotlight: Healthy Gulf

Partner Spotlight: Healthy Gulf

Dolphins swimming in Louisiana’s Barataria Bay, which was heavily impacted by oil from the 2010 BP disaster. Founded in 1994, Healthy Gulf (formerly Gulf Restoration Network) has a mission of empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf of Mexico region. Healthy Gulf works on a number of broad program areas […]

The “Why” of Managing Fisheries

The “Why” of Managing Fisheries

Top Photo: Atlantic Herring Fisheries management is often viewed as a scientific discipline, but science is only one aspect of the management process. Before biologists can determine how a fishery ought to be managed, they need to understand the politics and policies that determine why management measures are needed. These days, we often think of […]

Celebrating National Ocean Month

Celebrating National Ocean Month

June is National Ocean Month, a time to recognize the importance of our oceans to our nation’s economy, environment, culture and enjoyment. Marine Fish Conservation Network partners have shared why we celebrate our oceans. “The ocean, its beauty, the life it harbors, its incredible power to provide – I am, we all are, inextricably tied […]

Climate Change and the Carbon Dividend Act

Climate Change and the Carbon Dividend Act

Reprinted with permission from Oncorhynchus, the quarterly newsletter of the Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Climate change and ocean acidification pose significant threats to both fresh and saltwater fishes. Phenomena such as the 2015–2016 Gulf of Alaska “warm blob” are identified as drivers in the 80% drop in Central Gulf Pacific Cod abundance […]