Nation’s Landmark Fisheries Law Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Milestone for Magnuson-Stevens Act comes as U.S. fisheries management faces new threats
Press Release Date: April 13, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.
Contact:
Jamie Karnik | email: jkarnik@oceana.org | tel: 907-635-8722
The Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) turns 50 today, marking a half-century of successful fisheries management in the United States at a time when new challenges threaten the health of our nation’s fisheries and oceans.
Passed in 1976, the law is critical to preventing overfishing and rebuilding overfished stocks, protecting critical habitats, and increasing the long-term economic and social benefits of our oceans.
Since the act’s passage, dozens of collapsed U.S. fish populations have rebounded. By 2000, more than 50 fish stocks were rebuilt, and hundreds of regionally important stocks — such as Atlantic sea scallops and Pacific widow rockfish — are caught today more responsibly thanks to management measures instituted under the MSA. This rebound and responsible management of these fisheries is critical to the U.S. economy. In 2023 alone, U.S. commercial and recreational fishing generated $319 billion combined in sales and supported nearly 2.1 million jobs.
“The oceans are better off because of the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act,” said Oceana Vice President Beth Lowell. “U.S. fisheries were so poorly managed fifty years ago that fish populations were collapsing, and foreign fishing fleets were within sight of our shores. This act is a great example of laws based on science that can allow rebuilding ocean abundance while still supporting a robust fishing industry.”
This year’s 50th anniversary comes amid staff and funding cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency that manages U.S. fisheries. Last year, NOAA lost hundreds of key staff, including biologists, data professionals, and other experts essential to implementing the MSA and supporting responsible fisheries management.
More recently, the Trump administration proposed cuts for the 2027 fiscal year of more than $1.5 billion to NOAA. These cuts have the potential to undermine the agency’s ability to function altogether and could send U.S. fisheries management back to where it was 50 years ago. Without the resources to assess fisheries populations, issue annual catch limits, monitor fish catch, develop fishing gear that is less destructive to habitat and wildlife, and other aspects of MSA, our fisheries could decline, threatening the legacy of the MSA and modern fisheries management.
“This law supports millions of jobs and generates billions of dollars for our economy,” said Lowell. “The Trump administration and Congress need to fully fund and support NOAA to ensure it has the resources and staff needed to support science-driven, effective management of our oceans.”
Background
The Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) is intended to support thriving U.S. fisheries while maintaining healthy fish populations, habitats, and ocean ecosystems. The first version of the law was developed by Senators Warren Magnuson (WA) and Ted Stevens (AK) and signed into law on April 13, 1976. Prior to 1976, there was little oversight of fisheries off the U.S. coast, and vessels from other countries competed directly with American fishers in a destructive race to catch fish as quickly as possible.
Under the MSA, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is the primary agency tasked with managing U.S. fisheries and operates under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Eight regional fishery management councils, made up of a wide range of policymakers and stakeholders, develop proposed regulations for fisheries that are ultimately approved by NMFS and the Secretary of Commerce. Those regulations must follow the law, but regional councils are given wide latitude to determine how to meet legal obligations while balancing coastal community, economic, and conservation benefits.
Three pillars of sustainable fisheries management are required by the MSA — the prevention of overfishing, the protection of ocean habitats, and the minimization and avoidance of bycatch (the unintentional catching and wasting of non‑target species). All three are essential for the long-term sustainability of fisheries and healthy ocean ecosystems. Since passage of the MSA and subsequent updates in the mid‑1990s and 2000s, a majority of American fish stocks are no longer overfished, some populations are rebounding, and many economically important fisheries have been able to thrive. According to NMFS, in 2023, U.S. recreational and commercial fisheries had $319 billion in total sales and supported 2.1 million full‑ and part‑time jobs nationwide.
Oceana works with scientists, fishers, lawyers, regional councils, federal policy managers, and members of the U.S. Congress to support the MSA and responsibly fisheries management based on the best available science, a strong legal foundation, and public engagement.
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Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 325 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.
