Federal support for our fishing communities, working waterfronts & our seafood supply chain is essential to recover from COVID 19 The unprecedented economic impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on one of the essential American economic drivers – small businesses. Many Network members, including commercial fishing operators, guides, outfitters, processors, […]
Category Archives: Recreational Fishing
Executive Order Could Impact Coastal Fisheries, Habitats: Part I
International Fisheries, International Trade, and Commercial Fishing Regulations Read the second installment of this two-part series, which covers aquaculture. On May 7, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an “Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth” (Executive Order). Unlike many executive orders, which are relatively brief and limited in scope, the most recent […]
A View from the Hill: May 2020
It has been a couple of months since we last issued our “View from the Hill”, but boy, has a lot unfolded. Where do we start? As we mentioned in March, we started the year with the chairman of the House Natural Resources Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), continuing his national […]
At the May ASMFC/MAFMC MEETING, Here’s What Went Down
Striped Bass, Menhaden, Bluefish & Recreational/Commercial Allocation Topped the Agenda Top Photo: Bunker and striper; Credit: John McMurray Last week the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission met, in part, jointly with the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council to consider a number of issues. Of course, because of the COVID 19 pandemic, Commissioners and Council members […]
Keeping a Clear Head in the Face of COVID
Although I am not quite in the dire straits that many American families are facing in the COVID-19 crisis, things are not going all that well for the recreational sportfishing community. In 30 years of guiding, I’ve found out that it isn’t just fish that our customers need to come fishing, it’s expendable income. And […]
Alaska Fishermen and Processors Donate to Families in Need
Photo courtesy of Linda Behnken As the COVID-19 pandemic creates a greater economic downturn with each passing day, many Alaskans are facing difficult decisions about how to cover daily needs with little or no income. With people out of work, many families are finding it increasingly difficult to put food on the table. Those who […]
April Reflections from Alaska
April is a predictable month in Alaska. The days grow longer, the snow melts, foliage blossoms and salmon feel the call home. Fishermen and policy-makers fight their own pull back to the sea and train their attention on the last few meetings before the lives of thousands of commercial fishermen and processors will revolve around […]
COVID-19 Impacts Fisheries Management
Photo by John McMurray COVID-19 has disrupted businesses, people’s lives, and government functions. The fisheries management system has not been immune to its effects. At the state, regional and national level, some fisheries management meetings have been postponed, while others have been converted from in-person meetings to webinars where only the most urgent matters are […]