Pacific Council Decisions to Include Climate Science

Pacific Council Decisions to Include Climate Science

This piece is reprinted with permission from the latest edition of the Wild Oceans Horizon newsletter. Last year, the Pacific Fishery Management Council recognized that increasing climate variability and changing ocean conditions could adversely affect West Coast fisheries and communities and began Fishery Ecosystem Plan Initiative 4 to incorporate ecosystem information into council decision-making. A […]

Buffeting Winds in Bristol Bay: 2023

Buffeting Winds in Bristol Bay: 2023

This article was originally published on August 10, 2023 on One Fish Foundation’s blog and is reprinted here with permission. Imagine being a commercial fish harvester in Bristol Bay in 2023. I have spoken with several over the past few years, and just recently spoke with them again to get a sense of how they […]

Senator Murkowski’s ‘Improving ARCTIC’ Act

Senator Murkowski’s ‘Improving ARCTIC’ Act

Senator Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) legislation, the Improving Agriculture, Research, Cultivation, Timber, and Indigenous Commodities (ARCTIC) Act, is a comprehensive piece of legislation containing provisions that are important to small commercial fishermen, working waterfronts, and indigenous fishing communities. The legislation seeks to improve federal agricultural programs so more groups can benefit from them. “We applaud Senator […]

Land-Based Farm Credit System Could Expand to Fishing Businesses under New Bill

Land-Based Farm Credit System Could Expand to Fishing Businesses under New Bill

Recently introduced legislation could be a big help to fishing-related businesses and fishing communities. The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Angus King and Lisa Murkowski, would provide access to loans from the Farm Credit System for businesses that supply goods and services to the fishing fleet. “The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement […]

We Are Going Fishing!

We Are Going Fishing!

After months of fighting to save Southeast Alaska’s Chinook salmon troll fishery from a misguided lawsuit filed by the Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC), our fleet is going fishing! On June 21st the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the District Court’s May decision to close the fishery while the National Marine Fisheries Service addresses technical […]

Thoughts on a 28 To 31″ Slot Limit for Stripers

Thoughts on a 28 To 31″ Slot Limit for Stripers

In a Move that Caught Many in the Fishing Business Off-Guard, ASMFC Takes Emergency Action I run a light-tackle charter-fishing operation in New York, so let me start by saying that the striped bass fishing right now is good… I mean, really good! As is generally the case with recreational fisheries, abundance drives participation… and […]

New Video Highlights Economic Value of Fishing Communities

New Video Highlights Economic Value of Fishing Communities

“Instead of more fish today, we want more fish forever.” – Stephen Rhoads Our colleagues at the Alaska Longline Fisherman’s Association (ALFA) are featured in an inspiring new video, Alaska’s Sustainable Fishing Legacy [watch below]. It’s part of the Farms Across America series. MFCN’s Network Policy Council co-chair, Linda Behnken, is joined by Stephen Rhoads, […]

Building a Better Working Waterfront

Building a Better Working Waterfront

The news just keeps getting better for West Coast groundfish. Ringing in the New Year comes with good news for saltwater anglers in Oregon, and other West Coast ports as well. For starters, the seasonal depth restriction has been lifted, which should excite many anglers. It’s like the good ol’ days all over again, with […]