Striped Bass Management: What If Magnuson-Stevens Applied?

Striped Bass Management:  What If Magnuson-Stevens Applied?

Photo: Capt. Dave Monti with Block Island striped bass. On August 8, 2019, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board (Management Board) met to consider the future of the striped bass fishery. A benchmark stock assessment released in May 2019 (2018 Assessment) had determined that the striped bass stock was […]

Status of Stocks Report Reminds Us of the Importance of Science-Based Fisheries Management

Status of Stocks Report Reminds Us of the Importance of Science-Based Fisheries Management

Earlier this month, NOAA released its 2018 Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries, the agency’s annual requirement to update lawmakers on how our nation’s federal fisheries are faring. For all of us, it’s an opportunity to assess how successfully these crucial marine resources are being managed and what, if any, tweaks need […]

Public Comments Still Needed for Atlantic Striped Bass

Public Comments Still Needed for Atlantic Striped Bass

Top photo by John McMurray Here is a post-ASMFC meeting round up and what needs to happen next. In early August, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission met and took action on Atlantic striped bass. “The Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board (Board) approved Draft Addendum VI for public comment. The Addendum was initiated in […]

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 […]