The Magnuson-Stevens Act at 40

Reasons major U.S. fishing law should shift to big picture management

On April 13, 2016, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the primary law that governs fishing in U.S. ocean waters, turns 40. To highlight the importance of the act to the environment and to our nation’s fisheries, coastal communities, and economy, as well as to show why it needs an update, we are posting a feature story each week for the 40 weeks leading up to the anniversary. Read them here or follow the series on Twitter using #MSA40.

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A Big-Picture Approach to Fisheries Management

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U.S. fishery managers often focus on one species at a time when determining how, when, and where fishing takes place. But each fish population is part of an interconnected ecosystem in which they interact with other fish, ocean wildlife, and habitats.