National Fisherman

21 states challenge ESA changes that could affect US fisheries

A coalition of 21 states is suing to block changes to the Endangered Species Act involving “harm,” critical habitat, and threatened species protections. The changes could affect fisheries through NOAA ...
National Fisherman

Young fishing voice joins Chesapeake Bay menhaden debate

Hundreds urged ASMFC to wait for new science before cutting the Chesapeake Bay menhaden cap. Fishing families, including 13-year-old Charlotte Blackwell, stressed what further restrictions could mean ...
National Fisherman

ICE operation in New Bedford leads to arrests of seafood workers

According to The New Bedford Light, ICE agents were observed making an arrest along MacArthur Drive near several fish houses Monday morning. Additional agents and vehicles were spotted at the ...
National Fisherman

$4.2 million for Chinook salmon restoration

NOAA awarded $4.2 million to the Skagit River System Cooperative to restore fish passage and habitat for Chinook salmon in the Similk Estuary. A separate $7.2 million award will support Chinook and ...
National Fisherman

Lawmakers seek USDA purchase of Pacific whiting

In the Sept. 18 letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the lawmakers expressed support for a West Coast Seafood Processors Association request that USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Services ...
National Fisherman

Southwest Alaska communities call for fact-based fisheries debate

The Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference, or SWAMC, adopted a joint resolution June 15 calling for “fact-based dialogue on ...
National Fisherman

Seven years later, wreck believed to be F/V Mistress found

A wreck believed to be the F/V Mistress, a commercial vessel that sank off Rhode Island in 2019 with two fishermen lost, has ...
National Fisherman

Collins, King urge Senate action on lobster regulatory pause

Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King are urging Senate leaders to advance the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, which ...
National Fisherman

Maine Lobster Week returns to celebrate fishery

Maine Lobster Week runs Sept. 19-26 and celebrates the harvesters, dealers, processors, and working waterfront communities ...
National Fisherman

Bycatch bill advances amid pollock concerns

Pollock industry groups raised concerns that proposed trawl restrictions could unintentionally increase salmon encounters, ...
National Fisherman

Farm Bill 2.0 included new provisions for fishing, seafood

Commercial fishermen and the broader seafood industry would gain access to new federal lending opportunities and several seafood-specific programs under Farm Bill 2.0, with provisions addressing ...
National Fisherman

NOAA could take lead on scallop permit-stacking

The New England Fishery Management Council will not prioritize scallop permit-stacking in 2027, potentially leaving NOAA to pursue the controversial permitting change through a federal process. The ...