Canada Begins Rebuilding Depleted Fish Populations with Science-Based Plans
The Canadian government published 12 rebuilding plans for some of the country’s most depleted fish populations — including Atlantic cod, Atlantic mackerel, and Pacific herring. These plans were legally required under Canada’s fisheries rebuilding regulations, which Oceana helped secure in 2022. For the first time, Canada is setting clear, science-based objectives, timelines, and actions to restore its wild fish populations, strengthen ecosystems, and support coastal and Indigenous communities. Scientific models show that with these plans in place, essential forage fish like mackerel could recover in as little as six to seven years.
The Canadian government published 12 rebuilding plans for some of the country’s most depleted fish populations — including Atlantic cod, Atlantic mackerel, and Pacific herring. These plans were legally required under Canada’s fisheries rebuilding regulations, which Oceana helped secure in 2022. For the first time, Canada is setting clear, science-based objectives, timelines, and actions to restore its wild fish populations, strengthen ecosystems, and support coastal and Indigenous communities. Scientific models show that with these plans in place, essential forage fish like mackerel could recover in as little as six to seven years.
June, 2025
Chile Approves Management Plan for Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park
Chile approved a management plan for the Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park, one of the most pristine ecosystems on the planet. The new plan establishes rules to effectively protect the area, which will help important depleted fish populations recover. Oceana and our allies, including local artisanal fishers, were key to achieving this plan and the creation of the marine park in 2016 – the largest of its kind in the South Pacific. A previous expedition to the area by Oceana and National Geographic uncovered extraordinary levels of biodiversity and endemic species in the seas surrounding these islands.
Chile approved a management plan for the Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park, one of the most pristine ecosystems on the planet. The new plan establishes rules to effectively protect the area, which will help important depleted fish populations recover. Oceana and our allies, including local artisanal fishers, were key to achieving this plan and the creation of the marine park in 2016 – the largest of its kind in the South Pacific. A previous expedition to the area by Oceana and National Geographic uncovered extraordinary levels of biodiversity and endemic species in the seas surrounding these islands.
June, 2025
New Rebuilding Plan Finalized for Overfished Pacific Sardines
The United States’ National Marine Fisheries Service finalized a new science-based rebuilding plan to recover the overfished sardine population off the U.S. West Coast. Pacific sardines are an essential food for many Pacific Ocean species, including marine mammals, Chinook salmon, and other commercially important fish. Sardine recovery is critical to help the marine ecosystems and coastal communities that rely on them thrive. This victory happened after Oceana, represented by Earthjustice, previously challenged an inadequate plan by the Fisheries Service in federal court and won in 2024. The court required the Fisheries Service to revise its Pacific sardine rebuilding plan to recover the overfished population, which is now expected to happen within 17 years.
The United States’ National Marine Fisheries Service finalized a new science-based rebuilding plan to recover the overfished sardine population off the U.S. West Coast. Pacific sardines are an essential food for many Pacific Ocean species, including marine mammals, Chinook salmon, and other commercially important fish. Sardine recovery is critical to help the marine ecosystems and coastal communities that rely on them thrive. This victory happened after Oceana, represented by Earthjustice, previously challenged an inadequate plan by the Fisheries Service in federal court and won in 2024. The court required the Fisheries Service to revise its Pacific sardine rebuilding plan to recover the overfished population, which is now expected to happen within 17 years.
June, 2025
New Law in Oregon Eliminates Plastic Film Bags at Checkout
A new law in Oregon will eliminate all bags made of plastic film at checkout at restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail establishments starting Jan. 1, 2027. This law will close a legal gap that allowed for the distribution of thicker plastic film bags, which are often used just once before being thrown away. Flexible plastic is the deadliest type of plastic to ocean wildlife. With this new law, Oregon is protecting its coastline, marine life, and communities from single-use plastic pollution.
A new law in Oregon will eliminate all bags made of plastic film at checkout at restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail establishments starting Jan. 1, 2027. This law will close a legal gap that allowed for the distribution of thicker plastic film bags, which are often used just once before being thrown away. Flexible plastic is the deadliest type of plastic to ocean wildlife. With this new law, Oregon is protecting its coastline, marine life, and communities from single-use plastic pollution.
May, 2025
Washington State Cuts Plastic Packaging and Pollution
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, Washington state passed a new law that helps address the plastic pollution crisis threatening our oceans, communities, and health. Washington State generates over 370,000 metric tons (410,000 tons) of plastic packaging each year. This new law requires reductions in the amount of plastic packaging produced, including for items like beverage bottles and laundry detergent containers. The law will also support reuse programs and curb harmful chemical recycling.
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, Washington state passed a new law that helps address the plastic pollution crisis threatening our oceans, communities, and health. Washington State generates over 370,000 metric tons (410,000 tons) of plastic packaging each year. This new law requires reductions in the amount of plastic packaging produced, including for items like beverage bottles and laundry detergent containers. The law will also support reuse programs and curb harmful chemical recycling.
May, 2025
EU Court Upholds UK Ban on Sandeel Fishing
The United Kingdom’s March 2024 ban on commercial fishing for sandeels has been upheld following a legal challenge from the European Union. Sandeels are small fish that are an essential part of the UK’s marine ecosystem. Overfishing has depleted this fish population, threatening many species like puffins, pollack, and cod, which rely on sandeels for food. The commercial fishing industry primarily caught sandeels to create feed for livestock. Oceana, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and other allies, campaigned to protect this ban, which will help sandeels and ocean ecosystems recover.
The United Kingdom’s March 2024 ban on commercial fishing for sandeels has been upheld following a legal challenge from the European Union. Sandeels are small fish that are an essential part of the UK’s marine ecosystem. Overfishing has depleted this fish population, threatening many species like puffins, pollack, and cod, which rely on sandeels for food. The commercial fishing industry primarily caught sandeels to create feed for livestock. Oceana, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and other allies, campaigned to protect this ban, which will help sandeels and ocean ecosystems recover.
February, 2025
Mexico Establishes Protected Zone for Caribbean Lobster and Local Fishers
In February 2025, Mexico’s National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries created the El Cuyo Fisheries Refugium to protect the Caribbean spiny lobster fishery in El Cuyo, a small community in Yucatán where nearly half of the population relies on lobster fishing for their livelihoods. The no-take zone will protect the areas where lobsters grow and reproduce, supporting local fishers’ effort to recover the lobster population. This action will directly benefit 691 fishers from El Cuyo. Oceana campaigned for the no-take zone alongside El Cuyo artisanal fishers, providing scientific evidence for the area’s protection and identifying the best location for the no-take zone.
In February 2025, Mexico’s National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries created the El Cuyo Fisheries Refugium to protect the Caribbean spiny lobster fishery in El Cuyo, a small community in Yucatán where nearly half of the population relies on lobster fishing for their livelihoods. The no-take zone will protect the areas where lobsters grow and reproduce, supporting local fishers’ effort to recover the lobster population. This action will directly benefit 691 fishers from El Cuyo. Oceana campaigned for the no-take zone alongside El Cuyo artisanal fishers, providing scientific evidence for the area’s protection and identifying the best location for the no-take zone.
