July 30, 2025
WHAT DO TAYLOR SWIFT, ULYSSES S. GRANT, AND U.S. FISHERIES HAVE IN COMMON?
The United States has some of the largest and most valuable fisheries in the world, managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). But while the agency as we know is only 55 years old, did you know that the federal oversight of fisheries has been happening since the 1800s?
Managing the oceans and their valuable fish is often political, and the United States is no stranger to fisheries discord. Even back in 1871, the idea of fisheries management sparked a scuffle in Congress. As fish populations were dwindling, members of Congress introduced a bill to add an independent agency, known as the “Fish Commission,” to investigate the science behind why there were fewer fish in the ocean and inland waters and find solutions to rebuild fish stocks. Leaders in coastal states, and even President Ulysses S. Grant, understood the importance of fish as a food source but also the economic value of fisheries to the entire country.
This “Fish Commission” bill was not taken well on the House Floor. Some lawmakers in landlocked states mocked the idea of fisheries management and argued grasshoppers and potato-bugs should also be added to the bill. After several days and many discussions, the proposal was voted on and approved – paving the way for the modern-day NMFS.
Today, NMFS is responsible for managing commercial fisheries, protecting marine wildlife, conserving undersea habitat like deep sea corals and seamounts, and maintaining ocean abundance.
PRODUCTIVE AND RESPONSIBLY MANAGED FISHERIES
To say fish are challenging to study would be an understatement. They don’t stay in one place, making them difficult to track; they live underwater, where humans cannot stay and monitor for long periods of time; and equipment is expensive. Still, monitoring fish populations is essential to avoid catching more fish than populations can sustain.
But what does that mean? Responsibly managed fisheries balance the number of fish caught with fish left in the ocean to repopulate the species. Without this balance, fisheries can collapse or decline – just as they did in 1871. This is specifically where NMFS steps in, fishery managers set catch limits that maintain a healthy population left in the ocean so that, year after year, the fishing industry can continue to survive and thrive. Bonus alert – healthy fish populations are hugely important to the entire marine ecosystem as fish feed more than us.
SAFE SOURCES OF SEAFOOD
The National Marine Fisheries Service also plays a big part in fighting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU), which can include fishing without authorization, ignoring catch limits, operating in closed areas, targeting protected wildlife, and fishing with prohibited gear. Across the globe, illegal fishing depletes marine resources, destroys habitats, and is explicitly linked to forced labor and human rights abuses.
To help combat this problem, NMFS launched the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) that requires key information be collected about imported seafood that show that it was caught in a legal fishery and tracks the seafood from the net to entry into the United States. This program covers 13 species groups, including popular products like blue crab, red snapper, and shrimp. Oceana released the results of a poll revealing that American voters support stronger safeguards for our oceans, including addressing illegal fishing and transparency in the seafood supply chain.
PROTECTING OCEAN WILDLIFE
Even in her wildest dreams, Taylor Swift likely never thought she would have sea turtles named after her. But alas, it has happened. In December of 2024, nearly 80 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were on the verge of death when found cold-stunned in Massachusetts. Experts from NMFS and its conservation partners came to the rescue of these turtles and decided to give a handful of them names based on Taylor Swift including – Fearless, Dorothea, and even Travis. After close care, medicine, and warmth, these turtles were released back into the warmer Gulf waters in June of 2025.
Along with sea turtles, NMFS protects more than 150 endangered and threatened marine animals as part of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. NMFS staff conduct surveys to count animals and monitor their populations to determine the best plan to ensure their continued survival and ultimate recovery. Whether rehabbing sick animals, disentangling whales that are caught in fishing gear, recommending management actions to reduce the risk to marine wildlife, or responding to animals that wash up on shore – this all falls under NMFS.
Without the work of the NMFS, the United States wouldn’t have some of the best managed fisheries in the world. The agency is charged with responsibly managing fisheries while balancing the risk to marine wildlife and habitat.
Protecting the future of NOAA means protecting the futures for countless marine life, coastal communities that rely on a healthy ocean, and the livelihoods of fishers… And it means protecting our future.
