May, 2015

Federal Fisheries Council Votes to Close West Coast Sardine Fishery

The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted at its April meeting to close the Pacific sardine fishery early for the remainder of the 2015 season, and to keep the fishery closed during the 2015 to 2016 season. A new scientific assessment by the National Marine Fisheries Service finds the sardine population has collapsed by 91 percent since 2007, and that the population is estimated to be at 96,688 metric tons, far below the 150,000 metric tons required for fishing to occur. The fishery crash is causing ecological effects on marine wildlife, which may have widespread and lasting implications. The Council’s action marks an important first step towards recovering this important forage fish. Moving forward, Oceana is requesting the Council overhaul its fishery management plan to account for ecosystem needs and increase the amount of sardines that must be left in the ocean before fishing should be allowed to occur in the future.

May, 2015

‘House Of Cards’ Star Is Sick Of Seeing Whales And Turtles Pointlessly Killed

May, 2015

Louisiana House Natural Resource Committee Green Lights Repeal of Turtle Excluder Device Prohibition Bill

May, 2015

Paths to Fisheries Subsidies Reform: Creating sustainable fisheries through trade and economics

April, 2015

CEO Note: Little Fish Win Big Protections from Commercial Fishing

April, 2015

Texas House Clears State Shark Fin Ban, On to the Senate

April, 2015

Ocean watchdog group sues federal government over turtle deaths in shrimp nets