Saving Seafood

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management: Science, Stewardship, and Shared Successes

June 17, 2026 — Fisheries management decisions often involve difficult tradeoffs between conservation goals, economic pressures, and the needs of fishing communities. The Mid-Atlantic region became an early example of how collaborative, science-based management could work across state and federal waters.

That commitment to collaboration helped shape early approaches to fisheries management that evolved into today’s continued efforts. After Congress passed the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 1976, eight newly formed regional councils became the foundation for fisheries management in the United States. In 1977, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council was one of the first councils to implement science-based fishery management plans in partnership with NOAA Fisheries, state agencies, fishermen, and scientists. Their first fishery management plan—covering both Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog—marked the beginning of decades of innovation in fisheries science and management in the region.

Building a Foundation for Sustainable Fisheries Management

Today, the Mid-Atlantic Council manages fisheries for 15 species under seven fishery management plans. The Council’s fishery management plans designate more than 50 forage species and species groups as “ecosystem components.” The Council works closely with NOAA Fisheries, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the New England Fishery Management Council, fishermen, researchers, coastal communities, and others to balance conservation goals with economic opportunities.

A hallmark of the Mid-Atlantic region is its collaborative approach between federal and state managers. The Council and the Commission jointly manage several important fisheries across state and federal waters, including commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. This level of coordination across jurisdictions is relatively uncommon nationally, and has been an effective approach for cooperative fisheries management of interconnected resources.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

Governor welcomes presidential proclamation supporting American commercial fishing in the Pacific

June 16, 2026 — Gov. David M. Apatang welcomed President Donald J. Trump’s June 11, 2026, signing of the Executive Proclamation Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific, which restores access to designated fishing grounds within certain Pacific marine national monuments and reaffirms science-based fisheries management under existing federal law.

The proclamation includes portions of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and places these fisheries within the established management framework of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, NOAA Fisheries, and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.

The action recognizes the important role Pacific communities play in the stewardship and management of ocean resources.

Read the full article at Marianas Variety

Council Will Mark 50 Years of Regional Fisheries Management at June Meeting

June 15, 2026 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will mark the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) at its June Council Meeting in Mystic, Connecticut on June 23-25, 2026.

SUSTAINING FISHERIES AND FISHING COMMUNITIES SINCE 1976

The Council system was established by Congress through the MSA on April 13,1976. Since their creation, the eight regional Councils have promoted sustainable management of U.S. Fisheries, in partnership with NOAA Fisheries, states, tribes, and communities. The Councils have rebuilt fish stocks, reduced bycatch, and protected essential fish habitat all while supporting sustained harvest with the goal of maximizing benefits to fishing communities and consumers.

To mark the anniversary, the Councils developed an interactive timeline highlighting major milestones in U.S. fisheries management over the past five decades and an online photo slide gallery. The anniversary was also featured by NOAA in a recent story.

JUNE MEETING

The Council will begin its June meeting in Mystic, CT at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. On top of a full, threeday agenda, the Council invites the public to a reception celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act on Tuesday, June 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at the Mystic Hilton Hotel lounge.

For more meeting information including webinar registration, submitting public comment, or directions please visit the June meeting webpage.

President Trump Supports Commercial Fisheries in US Pacific Islands

June 12, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council today welcomed President Trump’s proclamation, Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific, as an important step toward returning fisheries management decisions in the Pacific to the regional council process and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. 

“It’s my honor to be taking this action to lower seafood costs and generate millions and millions of dollars in new business for our great fishermen … by restoring commercial access to three areas of the western Pacific Ocean,” President Trump said as he signed the proclamation today.

Council members viewed the White House signing ceremony during the opening session of the third day of the Council’s meeting in Pago Pago. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick acknowledged the importance of fisheries to the U.S. Pacific territories and the State of Hawai‘i.

“We are pleased that under the authority of the Magnusons-Stevens Act, the management of fishing in monument waters is returning to the fishery councils,” said Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds. “The Council is committed to continue working together with our fishing communities in American Samoa, Hawai‘i and the Northern Mariana Islands to discuss and develop fishery management plans in these areas.” 

“Today’s proclamation is a significant and welcome development for American Samoa,” said Council Chair Nathan Ilaoa. “The closure of waters around Rose Atoll has restricted access to important fishing grounds since 2009. As American Samoa invests in a new generation of longer-range fishing vessels, restoring access to these areas will help ensure that local fishermen are able to fully benefit from those investments and continue contributing to our economy and food security.”

At its March 2026 meeting, the Council recommended restoring commercial fishing access to 12 to 50 nautical miles at Muliāva (Rose Atoll), 0 to 50 nm in the Marianas Trench Islands Unit. In Papahānaumokuākea, longline fishing from 0 to 50 nm remains prohibited. For bottomfish and other fisheries, 0 to 3 nm remains closed.

The eight Regional Fishery Management Councils have long affirmed that fisheries management within U.S. exclusive economic zone waters — generally 3 to 200 nm offshore — should be guided by the Magnuson-Stevens Act decision-making process. This process provides multiple opportunities for public review and comment, ensuring that management decisions are informed by the best available science and the needs of affected communities.

The Council also notes that additional federal actions may be necessary before fishing activities can resume in certain areas. Portions of Papahānaumokuākea and Muliāva (Rose Atoll) are also subject to National Marine Sanctuary regulations and other management authorities that may require further coordination and review. 

The proclamation follows a federal review directed by Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, which called for an evaluation of commercial fishing opportunities within existing marine national monuments and the impacts of monument fishing restrictions on domestic seafood production and fishing communities. 

Administration Commercial Fishing Industry Wins

June 12, 2026 — Through the strategic use of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and executive action, NOAA Fisheries has successfully removed red tape, reversed decades-old closures, and maximized harvest quotas. These actions have unlocked billions of dollars in economic value, secured vital domestic supply chains, and established collaborative partnerships with the commercial fishing fleet.

Unleashing Historic Economic Value and Quota Increases

The Administration has expedited openings and increased catch limits based on the best available science, delivering financial returns to coastal communities.

Alaska Groundfish ($2.9+ Billion Impact)

Novel Approaches to Allow for Opening of Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries published final rules for harvest specifications in both the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands in 2025 and 2026. This decisive administrative action ensured these critical groundfish fisheries opened on time, with quotas strictly grounded in the best scientific information available.

Economic Impact

These fisheries include the Bering Sea pollock fishery, the largest U.S. fishery by volume. According to the 2024 Economic Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (the best available data as of February 2026), these timely rulemakings secure a total value of $301.1 million for the Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries and more than $2.64 billion for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish fisheries.

Pacific Halibut Fishery ($126.5 Million Value)

Expediting Opening of U.S. Halibut Fishery

NOAA revised its approach to data collection and regulatory implementation in order to allow for the timely opening of the Alaskan Groundfish and Halibut fisheries.

Economic Impact

While 2025 estimates are pending, in 2024, commercial landings of Pacific halibut in Alaska totaled approximately 14.37 million pounds and were valued at more than $126.5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region catch accounting system and fishery volume and value reports.

Reviving West Coast Salmon ($76 Million Impact)

2026 Ocean Harvest Salmon Management Measures

This action resulted in the first full commercial salmon fishery off the West Coast in 3 years. The 2026 fisheries will successfully expand fishing days in the California recreational and commercial fisheries and southern Oregon compared to 2025.

Economic Impact

The 2026 season will support more jobs and more than $76 million in revenue or value. This represents an anticipated 63 percent increase in coastwide commercial ex-vessel value and an increase of more than 30 percent in community income impacts for the recreational fishery compared to 2025.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

Fishermen prepared for the longest red snapper season in recent memory. A court order stopped it

June 5, 2026 — Miles from shore, Chris Kemp pumps and reels as he battles a fish 150 feet below. Eventually, it gives up, and the 10-pound red snapper is hauled aboard the Jodie Lynn II.

There’s barely time to rejoice. As Kemp raises his trophy for a picture, the charter boat’s captain rushes over and then drives a knifelike tool into the fish’s gas-filled bladder. The procedure, required by federal law, is intended to improve the fish’s chances of survival after release.

“Send it overboard,” orders the captain. And with that, Kemp’s hopes of bringing the fish home to eat was lost.

Recreational fishermen like Kemp are pitched against commercial fishermen and environmentalists in a legal dispute that has halted what was expected to be the longest snapper season in years, reflecting broader tensions over the Trump administration’s efforts to loosen fishing rules and deregulate the seas.

As part of those efforts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in May exempted states from some restrictions under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the landmark law that guides fisheries management. But the decision was halted at the last minute by a federal judge in Washington who blocked the plan.

Read the full article at the Associated Press

US bill would authorize commercial fishing in marine national monuments

June 4, 2026 — A bill being considered in U.S. Congress would prohibit presidents from prohibiting commercial fishing in marine national monuments, codifying that fishing activities in those areas must be regulated under the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).

Successive presidents’ administrations have used the Antiquities Act to unilaterally establish national marine monuments or to change the protections granted within them, and commercial fishing groups have long bemoaned the use of that power to ban fishing within their boundaries. Former U.S. President Barack Obama prohibited commercial fishing within the nearly 5,000-square-mile Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument when he established it in 2016, and later presidents have alternated between reallowing commercial fishing or banning it again; most recently, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order reauthorizing commercial fishing in the marine national monument.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Bering Sea survey to track temperature shifts

May 22, 2026 — NOAA Fisheries is preparing to launch its annual eastern Bering Sea bottom trawl survey, with scientists set to begin collecting near real-time temperature data in June as part of one of the longest-running fishery datasets in the region.

Conducted each year by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, the survey is mandated under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to track the distribution and abundance of fish, crab and other bottom-dwelling species. The data is used to inform stock assessments and ecosystem status reports for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Water temperature remains a key focus of the survey. According to NOAA, “temperature is one of many factors that influences species’ ranges and population sizes,” with warming conditions already linked to shifts in where species are found. Scientists record both bottom and surface temperatures at each station, allowing them to compare environmental conditions with the presence, or absence, of fish and crab.

Read the full article at National Fisherman

Magnuson-Stevens Act at 50: Charting a Course to Sustainable Fisheries

May 8, 2026 — In April, we celebrated the 50 years since the United States signed the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This landmark law set the United States on a course toward sustainably and cooperatively managed marine resources. But in order to appreciate how far we’ve ventured, it helps to understand why we embarked.

Vacuuming the Seas

The mid-20th century was a boom time for fishing around the world. Technological advances changed how people harvested, transported, and consumed seafood. More fish were being harvested off the coasts of the United States, but not necessarily by American fishermen.

Between 1965 and 1975, the volume of fish caught by foreign fishing vessels in the United States exceeded the catch of domestic harvesters. The newer, larger, far-ranging factory trawlers of the foreign fleets would anchor just beyond the 3-nautical-mile U.S. territorial limit. As Senator Warren Magnuson (D-Washington) recalled, the fleets were “virtually vacuuming the seas” of valuable marine life—and economic opportunity. When they depleted one stock, they simply moved on to the next. In many cases, they sold their harvest back to American consumers after

“If the U.S. is to maintain world prominence,” warned Magnuson, “we must learn to steward our declining resources.” He partnered with Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Representative Don Young (R-Alaska) and Representative Gerry Studds (D-Massachusetts) to push for action through extensive deliberations in both chambers of Congress.

Lawmakers agreed that a serious problem existed, but they debated how to solve it. The 94th Congress considered dozens of proposals before combining ideas into one law. On April 13, 1976, they passed what is now known as the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

Landmark US Magnuson-Stevens fisheries law turns 50 amid budget cut concerns

April 17, 2026 — April 13 marked the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), a landmark conservation law credited with saving numerous U.S. fisheries from collapse and protecting vital ocean habitats. Despite decades of success, conservationists warn that recent federal funding cuts could undermine those gains.

The MSA was passed in 1976, in the same decade the Environmental Protection Agency was established, and half a dozen bedrock environmental laws like the Clean Air and Clean Water acts were enacted. It was a time of widespread environmental degradation: Ohio’s Cuyahoga River frequently caught fire and smog choked cities like Los Angeles.

U.S. fisheries were in a similarly dire state. “Fishing off the U.S. coast was a free-for-all, with vessels from both the U.S. and other nations racing to catch as many fish as they could,” Gib Brogan, fisheries campaign director at the advocacy organization Oceana, told Mongabay in an email.

Before the MSA was enacted, international waters began just 19 kilometers (12 miles) from shore. Beyond that, both American and international fishing fleets could operate with very few regulations. It was a classic example of the tragedy of the commons; fishers were incentivized to capture as many fish as they possibly could before the fish were gone.

Read the full article at Mongabay