Lenfest Ocean Program

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Lenfest Ocean Program

The world’s oceans are vitally important to all life on Earth. However, human activities are altering marine ecosystems in highly detrimental ways. This activity, unless curtailed, will have negative consequences for both people and the environment. Although many human behaviors impact ocean health, fishing causes some of the most significant harm to the marine environment. Industrial fishing operations have become very efficient at extracting large volumes of fish from the ocean. Many fishing methods also damage ocean habitat and catch unwanted marine life, known as bycatch. Sea turtles, marine mammals, seabirds and non-target fish are inadvertently caught, then thrown back, dead or dying, into the sea.

In 2004, the Lenfest Ocean Program was established at Pew, with the generous support of The Lenfest Foundation. The program supports marine research that will be useful in formulating solutions to ocean problems. Staff members consult with scientists, advocates and decision makers to identify research projects that will be directly relevant to marine policy decisions.

The program focuses its work on the ecosystem effects of fisheries and sustainable approaches to fisheries management. In addition, it invests substantial time and resources in ensuring that the results of the research it supports are delivered widely and effectively to policy makers and the public.

For more information, visit the Lenfest Ocean Program Web site.

Report

Quantification of U.S. Marine Fisheries Subsidies

Mar 03, 2009 - Published in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, this study presents detailed information and analysis on the nature and extent of subsidies to the U.S. fishing industry. By evaluating data on both state and federal subsidies, researchers found that government support to the U.S. fishing industry averaged $713 million per year, largely dominated by fuel subsidies.

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The Risk of Overexploitation of Atlantic Sharks

Oct 28, 2008 - A new scientific analysis by the Lenfest Ocean Program recommended a ban on catching eight species of Atlantic, open ocean sharks, and strictly limiting the catch of another two, to prevent possible population crashes.

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Atlantic Sharks at Risk: An Expert Working Group Report

Oct 27, 2008 - Dr. Colin Simpfendorfer and the Lenfest Ocean Program convened an international expert working group to estimate the risk of overfishing for twelve pelagic, or open ocean, shark and ray species caught in Atlantic pelagic longline fisheries under the jurisdiction of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

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Who’s Eating All the Fish? Debunking the Food Security Rationale for Culling Cetaceans

Jun 24, 2008 - This report examines the relationship between cetaceans, fisheries and food security, and presents another framework for understanding why developing countries experience diminishing supplies of fish: competition from the international market.

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Shark Declines in the Mediterranean Sea

Jun 11, 2008 - Study suggests the Mediterranean Sea may be losing large predatory sharks.

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You Can Swim But You Can’t Hide: The Global Status and Conservation of Oceanic Pelagic Sharks and Rays

May 22, 2008 - Fishing spans all oceans and the impact on ocean predators such as sharks and rays is largely unknown. A lack of data and complicated jurisdictional issues present particular challenges for assessing and conserving high seas biodiversity.

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Predicting Ecological Consequences of Marine Top Predator Declines

Apr 01, 2008 - Recent studies document unprecedented declines in marine top predators that can initiate trophic cascades.

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Setting Annual Catch Limits for U.S. Fisheries: An Expert Working Group Report, 2007

Oct 11, 2007 - The Expert Working Group developed a straightforward process for establishing catch limits and accountability measures, which included setting a sufficiently precautionary measure to ensure that overfishing does not occur.

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Strengthing European Fisheries Management: Options for Enforcing the Shark Finning Ban

May 01, 2007 - Restrictions designed to accommodate a variety of processing practices hamper effective regulation of shark finning. This can be resolved by requiring fishers to land sharks with fins still attached.

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Managing Bull Kelp Forests

Apr 02, 2007 - Careful management of this useful but fragile resource is recommended to ensure benefits to humans and wildlife.

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Depletion, Degradation, and Recovery Potential of Estuaries and Coastal Seas

Jun 23, 2006 - Comprehensive study published in Science magazine tracks human impact on coastal marine ecosystems.

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Rebuilding U.S. Fisheries: Progress and Problems

Jun 13, 2006 - Report on fish stocks ten years after the passage of amendments to the federal Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

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