MFCN Sends Policy Priorities to the Trump Administration

MFCN Sends Policy Priorities to the Trump Administration

Top photo via Linda Behnken In a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leadership, the Marine Fish Conservation Network outlined recommendations for promoting economic and food security through policies, endorsed by the Network’s members, supporting science-based fisheries management and thriving working waterfronts. The Network has sent similar […]

Administration’s Proposed Budget Slashes Funding Needed for Successful Coastal Economies

Administration’s Proposed Budget Slashes Funding Needed for Successful Coastal Economies

President Trump’s recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2026, also known as the “skinny budget,” reduced NOAA’s total budget by at least $1.52 billion, with $1.31 billion of that reduction coming from “climate-dominated research, data, and grant programs.” The budget also called for moving parts of the National Marine Fisheries Service into […]

Defending NOAA

Defending NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plays an integral part in the daily operations of fishing and seafood businesses around our country. This agency sets science-based research and regulations to keep fisheries healthy and productive, so that they in turn can support millions of commercial and recreational fishing jobs and provide a steady and reliable […]

Legislation to Expand Fishing Businesses Loans Reintroduced

Legislation to Expand Fishing Businesses Loans Reintroduced

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), along with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), introduced The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act, S. 1217 and H.R. 2818. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would provide access to loans from the Farm Credit System for businesses that supply qualifying goods and services […]

Legislation Would Safeguard and Strengthen America’s Working Waterfronts and Fishing Communities

Legislation Would Safeguard and Strengthen America’s Working Waterfronts and Fishing Communities

U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) have once again reintroduced the bipartisan Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act, H.R. 1808. “The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act is welcomed legislation for restoring and maintaining waterfront infrastructure and ensuring ocean access for commercial businesses, recreation, tourism, and traditional uses,” said MFCN Executive Director Robert Vandermark. […]

Kate Masury of Eating with the Ecosystem: Watch the Waterside Chat

Kate Masury of Eating with the Ecosystem: Watch the Waterside Chat

Kate Masury, executive director of Eating with the Ecosystem, joined the Marine Fish Conservation Network for a Waterside Chat on October 16, 2024. Among many topics, Kate and host Tom Sadler discussed: Eating with the Ecosystem, the work they do, and how they are a nonprofit that started as a food gathering Their place-based approach […]

Magnuson-Stevens in a Post-Chevron World

Magnuson-Stevens in a Post-<Em>Chevron</Em> World

After June 28, 2024, when the United States Supreme Court handed down its decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (Loper Bright), some of the commentary in both the popular press and various legal publications made it sound as if the sky had fallen. One opinion article in the Tampa Bay Times went so far […]

FISH Act Helps Ready the U.S. Seafood Industry for the Future

FISH Act Helps Ready the U.S. Seafood Industry for the Future

Rep. Mary Peltola’s reputation as an advocate for fishing and Native Alaskan fishing communities was never more evident than with the introduction of her Fisheries Improvement and Seafood Health (FISH) Act in June 2024. At a time when more and more legislation is introduced to do nothing more than “send a message” about the sponsor’s […]