Saving Seafood

Wild Fish Conservancy and The Conservation Angler sue over Columbia River hatcheries

December 3, 2025 — Two conservation groups are suing the federal government over Mitchell Act hatchery operations below the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, which they claim are contributing to the decline of wild salmon populations.

“If we want more wild fish returning to their home rivers, we need a broader, ongoing conversation about how hatchery production drives harvest in the ocean,” Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) Executive Director Emma Helverson said in a release. “Flooding the ocean with hatchery salmon creates the illusion of abundance that increases harvest pressure on our most imperiled salmon populations – the fish we can least afford to lose. Meanwhile, under today’s ocean-harvest frameworks like the Pacific Salmon Treaty, more fish in the ocean simply results in more fish being harvested. We cannot recover these species without breaking this cycle.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

NOAA Reopens Comment Period on Suggestions for Improving Fishery and Seafood Regulations

December 2, 2025 — The following was released by the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy:

What: On December 1, 2025, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published a notice in the Federal Register reopening a docket requesting comments on how to improve regulations for the fishery and seafood industries. NOAA also announced that a virtual public listening session will be held on December 8, 2025, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET.

Why: NOAA’s request, originally published on August 27, 2025, builds upon President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14276, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.” The EO directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to “immediately consider suspending, revising, or rescinding regulations that overly burden America’s commercial fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing industries at the fishery-specific level.”

NOAA is seeking comments on the following areas:

  • Regulations that govern fishing activities that may be suspended, revised, or rescinded.
  • Ways to improve fisheries management and science.
  • Less expensive and more reliable technologies and cooperative research which can be used to support fisheries assessments.
  • Ways to modernize data collection and analytical practices to improve the responsiveness of fisheries management to real-time ocean conditions.
  • Types of data, forecasting tools, or information products that are most needed by U.S. fishing businesses to adapt their operations effectively to changing economic and/or environmental conditions and maintain access to fishery resources.
  • Ways to expand exempted fishing permit programs to promote fishing opportunities nationwide.

The Office of Advocacy submitted a comment letter with more than 20 different recommendations to NOAA on October 14, 2025.

Action: Comments are now due December 15, 2025. Comments should be submitted via email to nmfs.seafoodstrategy@noaa.gov with “E.O. 14276 Notice Response” in the subject.

Keeping an eye on the ‘Blob’

December 1, 2025 — The marine heat wave in the Pacific Ocean, familiarly known as “the Blob,” caused major issues for Pacific fisheries and seabirds in 2014-2016, and some news agencies are reporting that the blob may be on its way north again. 

Few fishermen are alarmed, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Blobtracker, last updated on Sept. 2 indicates that the blob will behave much as it has the last few years.  

But a slew of news stories on the Blob hit the internet in October. According to salmon fisherman Nick Zuanich, posting on Facebook, the articles are based on August temperatures, and nothing to get alarmed about.

“The blob is what happens when the typical fall/spring southerly storms don’t show up. Southerly storms get the Pacific current running to the north, hitting the continental shelf, bringing cooler, nutrient-rich waters to the surface, thereby cooling the North Pacific. This has happened once again, thankfully,” says Zuanich. 

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

U.S. Moves To Start Offshore Fish Farming In Federal Waters

December 1, 2025 — The U.S. government has identified 13 locations in federal waters off California and Texas as potential sites to farm seafood and other aquaculture products.

The agency leading this effort is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through its National Marine Fisheries Service. The latter manages over 4 million square miles of ocean in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and has jurisdiction over 163 endangered and threatened marine species.

Among the core functions of the National Fisheries is to oversee sustainable fisheries, while promoting healthy ecosystems and safe seafood.

“Americans eat roughly $15 billion in seafood farmed and imported from foreign countries, where labor and environmental standards often fall short of America’s rigorous standards. By expanding domestic aquaculture to complement wild-harvest fisheries, NOAA is driving an America-first approach that creates jobs, supports coastal communities and ensures high-quality, homegrown seafood for American families,” NOAA noted in a September statement.

Read the full article at Forbes

MASSACHUSETTS: It’s Time to Release Massachusetts Fishermen from Red Tape

November 26, 2025 — The following was released by the U.S. Small Business Administration:

Faced with burdensome red tape brought on by bad trade deals, foreign-owned wind farms, and unfair cost-sharing programs, the American fishing industry finds itself struggling to put food on the table for fishermen and for Americans across the country.

In October, Chief Counsel for Advocacy Casey B. Mulligan had the opportunity to visit with independent fishermen from New Bedford and Gloucester, Massachusetts. He raised their concerns with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is a part of the executive branch that has especially burdened the fishing industry with unnecessary restrictions and excessive compliance costs.

Chief Counsel Mulligan also testified before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship last week to highlight needed reforms. Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts, ranking member on the committee, was unable to attend. Chief Counsel Mulligan regrets the missed opportunity to discuss the important regulatory reform needed to unburden small fishing businesses.

“In my confirmation hearing, I pledged to visit small businesses where they are,” said Mulligan. “Today, I am committing to do just that in New Bedford, MA, because the input of small fishing businesses is too urgent to put off for another day. We have extended an invitation to Senator Markey to join us, and I hope that together we can find adequate regulatory relief.”

NOAA proposing new rules on commercial fishing in the expanded areas of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument

November 25, 2025 — The 205th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will convene by web conference on December 16-17, 2025.

Host sites for Webex include 1164 Bishop St., Ste. 1400, Honolulu, HI; Tedi of Samoa Bldg., Ste. 208B, Fagatogo Village, AS; BRI Bldg., Ste. 205, Kopa Di Oru St., Garapan, Saipan, CNMI; Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Dr., Hagatfia, Guam.

The Webex link is https://tinyurl.com/205Counci1Mtg (if prompted, enter event number: 2864 005 8179; password: CM205mtg).

Specific information on joining the meeting, instructions for connecting to the Webex and providing oral public comments during the meeting will be posted on the Council website at: www.wpcouncil.org/event/205th-council-meeting-virtual-2.

The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized below, including any public comments on them. Written public comments on final action items should be received by the Council’s executive director by 5 p.m. (HST), Thursday, December 11, 2025, via postal mail, fax or email as indicated at end of the end of the article.

Read the full article at Samoa News

ALASKA: Federal actions spark new optimism for Alaska’s fishing industry

November 24, 2025 — Fisheries in Alaska are responsible for about 60% of the seafood in the United States, but they have faced significant challenges in recent years, including declining revenues, prices, and margins, according to speakers on “The Future of North Pacific Fisheries” panel at the 2025 Maritime Industry Economic Forecast Breakfast, held Friday during the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle.

“My agency produced a snapshot report last year, looking at economic impacts across Alaska fisheries and confirming declining revenue and prices and increasing costs with declining margins,” said John Kurland, Regional Administrator for NOAA’s Alaska Regional Office. “Revenues dropped by about $1.8 billion in 2022 and ’23. It hasn’t gotten a whole lot better since.”

All is not doom and gloom, however. The panelists struck a more upbeat tone when speaking about the future. For many across the sector, President Trump’s Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness executive order — issued in April — has given reason for optimism.

NOAA is working with other parts of the federal government and non-government groups to meet the goals of the executive order: “Things like considering regulatory changes to simplify and streamline regulations where we can increase flexibility where possible, looking at advanced technologies to improve data collection, to try to introduce cost efficiencies and hopefully make it more timely to get data into the management process, and updating national seafood trade strategy to try to address global trade dynamics and level of playing field,” Kurland said.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Directed Atlantic Herring Area 1A Fishery Closure Effective 6 PM, November 24, 2025

November 24, 2025 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

NOAA Fisheries and the states of Maine and New Hampshire, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts project the Atlantic herring fishery will catch 92% of the Area 1A sub-annual catch limit by November 24, 2025. The Area 1A directed fishery will close effective 6:00 p.m. on November 24, 2025 and remain closed until further notice. Vessels that have entered port before 6:00 p.m. on November 24, 2025 may land and sell, from that trip, greater than 2,000 pounds of herring from Area 1A.

 
During a closure, vessels participating in other fisheries may retain and land an incidental catch of herring that does not exceed 2,000 pounds per trip or calendar day. In addition, directed herring vessels traveling through Area 1A must have all fishing gear stowed.
 
For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at 703.842.0716 or efranke@asmfc.org.
 

ALASKA: Alaska crabbers steer toward a stronger future

November 20, 2025 — Just a few years ago, Alaska’s crabbers were staring down one of the darkest chapters in their fishery’s history. The Bristol Bay red king crab, snow crab, and bairdi seasons had been closed or severely restricted, vessels sat idle at the docks, and the fleet that once helped define Alaska’s working waterfront was struggling to hold on.

But this year, as the Bering Sea fleet looks out over a brighter horizon, there’s cautious optimism that the tide is finally turning. “We’ve been through an epic storm these last few years,” said Jamie Goen, executive director of Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers (ABSC). “But Alaska’s Bering Sea crabbers are coming out the other side and are optimistic for the future.”

A remarkable comeback

Between 2019 and 2021, NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s bottom trawl survey estimated that roughly 10 billion snow crab disappeared. Now, in 2025, about 7 billion have returned, a rebound that Goen calls “one heck of a comeback.”

The turnaround wasn’t just by luck. It came through hard decisions and scientific collaboration. “When crab stocks tanked, managers tightened things up, cutting exploitation rates on red king and snow crab,” Goen explained. “At the time, it hurt. But looking back, it was the right call. Stocks are rebuilding, and we’ve learned to appreciate that extra precaution.”

Bristol Bay red king crab have stabilized, and snow and bairdi harvest levels have doubled, with western bairdi now at their strongest in more than 20 years. Meanwhile, a new mariculture project and coordinated habitat surveys are exploring how to boost red king crab recruitment and identify prime areas for releasing hatchery-reared juveniles.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

National Database Launched to Log Abandoned Vessels, Enhance Navigational Safety

November 20, 2025 — An effort to address thousands of abandoned and derelict boats creating dangerous conditions for marine environments and navigational safety throughout the U.S. is expected to shine a broader light on a growing problem with a new, first of its kind national database that will log locations and track vessel removals.

“When we finally understand the scope of the problem, communities all over the country will be better able to remove abandoned and derelict vessels on their local coastlines,” said Alanna Keating, BoatUS Foundation director of outreach.

The database is a collaborative effort between BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Marine Debris Program. It will be used to pinpoint the exact location of ditched and derelict boats across the country and U.S. territories, and track their removal.

The database will allow the public to log abandoned and derelict vessels they encounter during their excursions. At some point, the database will highlight the impact of prevention and removal of the vessels by showcasing a decrease in the number of abandoned and derelict vessels.

“With the information the database provides, they will be able to know exactly where they need to dedicate resources, whether that be towards removing vessels or preventing them from becoming abandoned in the first place,” Keating said. “This database is just one part of our critical work that could help make ADVs (abandoned and derelict vessels) a thing of the past.”

Whether the database will log and track abandoned and derelict commercial and recreational vessels or just focus on recreational vessels is unknown. The issue of abandoned boats in the U.S. dates back nearly a century, with many of the original vessels being shipwrecks.

Read the full article at The Sand Paper