Little Fish Mean Business

Overview

More than 50 marine species that are important to the California Current ecosystem and the West Coast economy—including seabirds, salmon, tuna, whales, and porpoises—depend on northern anchovies as a primary source of food. 

Yet regional fishery managers have neither counted the anchovy population nor updated the catch limit since the 1990s, when these vital fish were more plentiful. It is time to bring anchovy management into the 21st century by setting science-based catch limits that account for the needs of wildlife and a precautionary cutoff that suspends fishing when anchovy populations are low.

The Pew Charitable Trusts, in partnership with the Center for the Blue Economy, Oceana, and Fast Raft, is hosting a panel discussion on northern anchovies and the marine life and coastal communities that depend on them. Guests and viewers will have the opportunity to:

• Learn how northern anchovies help support tourism jobs in Monterey Bay.
• Explore the role these fish play in the ocean food web.
• Hear about the high-tech tools that fishery managers are using to assess anchovy populations.
• Connect with business, community, and elected leaders on strategies to help Monterey Bay thrive.

Master of ceremonies

Gilly Lyons, The Pew Charitable Trusts

Panelists

Jason Scorse, Ph.D., director, Center for the Blue Economy

Kate Spencer, captain, Fast Raft Ocean Safaris

Geoff Shester, Ph.D., senior scientist, Oceana

David Demer, Ph.D., Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

#LittleFishBigDeal