Oceans

Earlier this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service published a proposed rule that would weaken management guidelines intended to prevent overfishing and rebuild depleted fish populations. During a recent comment period, more than 100,000 members of the public urged NOAA Fisheries to fix the proposal, which, if implemented in its current form, would... Read More

The United States’ status as a global leader in preventing overfishing and in rebuilding depleted populations of ocean fish is in jeopardy from an unexpected source: the U.S. House of Representatives. Read More

A research team from The Pew Charitable Trusts' Oceans North Canada project and the Institute of Marine Science at the Université du Québec à Rimouski mounted time-lapse camera stations on the remote coast of north Baffin Island to help monitor the environmental impact of an iron ore mine’s proposal for an extended shipping season through landfast ice in Eclipse Sound. Read More

For centuries, Americans have drawn inspiration and sustenance from the river herring and shad that surge each spring from the Atlantic Ocean into coastal rivers and streams to spawn. Read More

The five countries surrounding the Arctic Ocean agreed July 16 that they will not start commercial fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean—the international waters beyond these nations’ 200-mile exclusive economic zones (EEZ)—unless and until science-based fishery management measures are in place. Read More

Socked in under a thick layer of fog on the shores of Nunavut’s Eclipse Sound, we begin a day marked by impatience for me. Our research team, a joint project of Pew’s Oceans North Canada and the Institute of Marine Science of the Université du Québec à Rimouski, has important work to do and a narrow window in which to do it. But for now, all we can do is wait. Read More

In 2007, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council implemented a rebuilding plan for red snapper that included scientifically sound catch limits to put this treasured fish on the road to recovery. Read More

The 89th meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in Ecuador ended July 3 with little progress on new conservation measures for threatened and depleted populations of tuna and sharks. This outcome is becoming a familiar theme. Read More

In January 2015, the federal government proposed revising guidelines that fishery managers use to prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks. These guidelines implement National Standard 1 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary law governing management of U.S. ocean fish. Read More

In July 1991, Eric Larsen was surfing in the waters off Davenport, California, near Santa Cruz, when he was bitten several times by what was estimated to be a 16-foot-long great white shark. The shark dragged Larsen underwater when it became entangled in the leash of his surfboard. Larsen managed to swim to the surface and paddle to shore, despite substantial bites to both arms and one leg.  Read More

Earlier this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service published a proposed rule that would weaken management guidelines intended to prevent overfishing and rebuild depleted fish populations. During a recent comment period, more than 100,000 members of the public urged NOAA Fisheries to fix the proposal, which, if implemented in its current form, would... Read More

The United States’ status as a global leader in preventing overfishing and in rebuilding depleted populations of ocean fish is in jeopardy from an unexpected source: the U.S. House of Representatives. Read More

For centuries, Americans have drawn inspiration and sustenance from the river herring and shad that surge each spring from the Atlantic Ocean into coastal rivers and streams to spawn. Read More

The five countries surrounding the Arctic Ocean agreed July 16 that they will not start commercial fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean—the international waters beyond these nations’ 200-mile exclusive economic zones (EEZ)—unless and until science-based fishery management measures are in place. Read More

The 30-minute film documents the experiences of people living and working close to sanctuaries for marine life. From Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia and Maria Island in Tasmania to the Great Barrier Reef and New South Wales coast, each of the reserves featured in the film is a world-class example of conservation and recreation interests working hand-in-hand. The sanctuaries, established more... Read More

A research team from The Pew Charitable Trusts' Oceans North Canada project and the Institute of Marine Science at the Université du Québec à Rimouski mounted time-lapse camera stations on the remote coast of north Baffin Island to help monitor the environmental impact of an iron ore mine’s proposal for an extended shipping season through landfast ice in Eclipse Sound. Read More

The population growth of any species depends on its life-history characteristics. With many of the world’s shark populations declining, it is important to examine how these characteristics differ from other fish to identify the most effective management approaches. Read More

"The Sea & Me," supported by Pew, documents established successes around Australia, places where world-class conservation and recreation have been working hand in hand. The film includes breathtaking footage of the extraordinary seas and marine life surrounding Australia and takes an in-depth and personal look at the inspiring people who look after our oceans.  Read More

High-flying drone video (no audio) captures four Vietnamese fishing vessels burning off the Pacific island nation of Palau on June 12, 2015. The crews of the boats had been caught engaged in illegal fishing in recent weeks, and the Palau government purposely set fire to the boats as a message to poachers, as seen in this aerial footage created with a GoPro camera. Read More

Traditional fisheries management is a two-step process: First scientists conduct stock assessments, and then fishery managers negotiate measures, such as quotas or time-area closures, to make sure that the resource—the targeted fish—is being used optimally and sustainably. While this seems simple enough, the current approach is anything but. Read More