We communicate the science, policies, and human dimensions of sustainable fisheries.
Number of overfished U.S. stocks at an all-time low
The United States reaffirmed itself as the global leader in sustainable fisheries with the release of NOAA’s Status of Stocks 2017, the annual report to Congress on the state of U.S. fisheries. Just 9% of stocks are subject to overfishing and 15% of stocks are overfished.
MPAs will suffer, along with the rest of the ocean, as the planet warms
A new paper mapped the effects of future emissions on marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world. The results were unsurprising—climate change threatens every MPA (and indeed every part of the ocean), with a range of impacts.
Global Fisheries Beautifully Illustrated & Mapped
A new paper out in Marine Policy gorgeously illustrates global fisheries over the past 150 years. The figures tell the story and are cool as heck (spoiler—we saved the best for last).
Pulse Trawling, Tradeoffs, and Managing new Technology
Pulse trawling, a new kind of technology that uses electric pulses to startle fish into nets, has less potential environmental impact than bottom trawling, but has equity concerns among fishers and ethical considerations for fish. The EU recently decided to ban the practice.
Seafood 101
We’ve developed this guide to give you insight into every aspect of fish as food for people around the world. Click on any heading to skip ahead or click through each post—the guide was written to read like a lesson that builds on each previous installment.
Seafood in a Global Context
Commercial Fishing
People & Fish
Recent Research
MPAs will suffer, along with the rest of the ocean, as the planet warms
A new paper mapped the effects of future emissions on marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world. The results were unsurprising—climate change threatens every MPA (and indeed every part of the ocean), with a range of impacts.
Global Fisheries Beautifully Illustrated & Mapped
A new paper out in Marine Policy gorgeously illustrates global fisheries over the past 150 years. The figures tell the story and are cool as heck (spoiler—we saved the best for last).
Recovering marine mammals increase pressure on West Coast salmon
Recovering populations of killer whales, sea lions and harbor seals on the West Coast are eating increased numbers of Chinook salmon, and their consumption may now exceed the combined harvest by commercial and recreational fisheries, a new study finds.
Industry and Managers Demand Marine Policy Paper on IUU Imports Into Japanese Markets be Retracted
In early October, Chris Oliver, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, sent a letter to the Editor-in-Chief at Marine Policy, Dr. Hance Smith, requesting the retraction of a paper titled “Estimates of illegal and unreported seafood imports to Japan”
Old-growth Fisheries
A recent paper documented widespread age truncation in key global fisheries on a new scale. However, skeptics of a correlation between biodiversity and fishery health will find holes in the authors’ conclusions.
In-depth coverage of particular fisheries
#OceanOptimism
Good Management can Lead to a More Sustainable Future
A new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science shows that there is a triple bottom line, that abundance, catch and profit
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Expert Commentary
Experts Weigh in on Farmed Salmon Escape in Washington State
A few weeks ago in Puget Sound, a net pen used for farming Atlantic salmon broke and allowed over 150,000 salmon to escape. Fear of
Scientists Respond to Mark Kurlansky’s Doom & Gloom
Mark Kurlansky, author of the seminal fishery history book, Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World, recently contributed to The Guardian
Wasted Fish – What to Make of Recent Data Showing 10% of Fish are Discarded at Sea?
A paper published last week titled, Global marine fisheries discards: A synthesis of reconstructed data, concludes that commercial fishermen have thrown away (discarded) about 10%
Correcting errors in the Adam Smith Institute’s Brexit report
The exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union has attracted considerable attention to how fisheries management in the UK could be reformed. With
Management & Policy
