Pew and Other Groups Call for Action to Protect Dwindling Anchovy Population

On Oct. 16, The Pew Charitable Trusts joined four other organizations in calling on the Pacific Fishery Management Council to act to protect northern anchovies in light of new information strongly suggesting that the central subpopulation of this critical species has collapsed. In their letter, Pew, Audubon California, Earthjustice, Ocean Conservancy, and Oceana asked the federal fishery managers to update the scientific stock assessment of these West Coast forage fish. The organizations also asked the council to consider reducing fishing pressure on northern anchovies to sustain the population and to leave enough fish in the ocean to satisfy their ecological role as an essential food source for other marine life.

Anchovy is the single most important prey species for [West Coast] seabirds, and first or second most important for the broader suite of marine predators, such as humpback whales, chinook salmon, dolphins, and pinnipeds.” letter from Pew and four other groups to the Pacific Fishery Management Council

Read the full letter.