On National Standards And Flexibility

On National Standards And Flexibility

Did NOAA take us a few steps back with recent National Standard guidance? How we manage fisheries in federal waters is of course dictated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The Act (or law) contains 10 National Standards, which are intended to guide the eight regional management councils when they create fishery […]

Beef Up the Bunker Numbers

Beef Up the Bunker Numbers

Photo: Teresa Gibson and Justin Rieger holding a spotted seatrout Prioritize the Food Web and Menhaden Will Recover Coast-Wide While we drift-fished for spotted seatrout, the sound came from astern, not unlike the tearing of newsprint. I cocked my head in time to watch hundreds of beefy bunker (Atlantic menhaden) arch from the glassy surface […]

Will ASMFC Risk Ending Menhaden Comeback?

Will ASMFC Risk Ending Menhaden Comeback?

This Wednesday, during its annual meeting being held in the remote location of Bar Harbor, Maine, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Menhaden Management Board will once again face a controversial decision regarding the management of one of the most important fish under its jurisdiction. The meeting is scheduled from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, and […]

Fishermen Say No to Red Snapper Bill

Fishermen Say No to Red Snapper Bill

Commercial, recreational and for hire fishermen say a bill in Congress that would allow Gulf states to regulate fishing in federal waters is not good for the fish. Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves is the primary sponsor of H.R. 3094, which is a bill that would strip the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of its authority […]

Water ‘Right’ or Wrong?

Water ‘Right’ or Wrong?

Photo: Lingcod from a deep-reef bottomfishing trip out of Garibaldi, Oregon 10-12-16 (photo courtesy Garibaldi Charters) I’m the new kid on the block. Not necessarily on fish policy, but more on water management and what it means for developing fish policy that is, in fact, fish-friendly. I’m a Governor’s appointee on the legislatively driven task […]