Louisiana committee backs seasonal ban on hoop nets in Manchaca and North Pass after residents describe mass catfish kills After residents and commercial fishermen clashed in hours of testimony, the committee adopted a May–August, two‑year sunset amendment to HB 665 restricting hoop nets and reported the bill favorable while directing further work on tagging and enforcement.

Residents are sounding the alarm over a shocking wave of dead catfish and safety hazards caused by hoop nets in Louisiana's waterways.

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#LA #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalSafety #LouisianaResidents #FisheriesManagement

Van Drew tells Appropriations subcommittee COVID-era fisheries clawbacks threaten New Jersey fisheries, urges funding to stop collections Mister Van Drew told the House Appropriations Subcommittee that COVID-era NOAA relief was later subject to recalculation by New Jersey DEP, producing clawbacks that he says threaten dozens of fisheries; he asked the committee to consider an appropriation to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to repay NOAA and halt collections.

New Jersey fisheries are facing a financial crisis as COVID relief payments are clawed back due to sudden rule changes, threatening their very survival.

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#US #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalPolicy #EconomicRelief #NewJerseyFisheries #FisheriesManagement

Council members push for clearer seafood testing, oil 'fingerprint' and cleanup timelines after spill Councilors and fishing‑industry representatives told state and federal agency staff they need clearer, faster communication and testing results after a 2026 oil spill affecting oyster and crab grounds; staff said testing takes about two weeks and that the unified command will provide oil fingerprint and zone‑by‑zone assessments.

Terrebonne Parish leaders are demanding urgent action and clearer communication on seafood safety after an oil spill threatens local fisheries and the livelihoods of fishermen.

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#LA #CrisisCommunication #LouisianaSeafood #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalSafety #FisheriesManagement

VMRC adopts temporary recreational closure for speckled trout after cold‑stun event Citing documented cold‑stun mortality and new near‑real‑time temperature monitoring, VMRC approved a temporary recreational harvest closure in 2026 to protect speckled trout spawning stock and directed staff to develop triggers and monitoring tools for future events.

VMRC has enacted a temporary recreational harvest closure for speckled trout in 2026 to protect vulnerable spawning stocks after a shocking cold-stun event this winter.

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#VA #ClimateAdaptation #VirginiaRecreationalFishing #CitizenPortal #FisheriesManagement

Committee backs HB 33 to let conflicted Board of Fisheries/Game members remain for deliberations but not vote HB 33 would let Board of Fisheries and Board of Game members who declare a personal or financial conflict under AS 39.52 remain in deliberations and share expertise (but still prohibit them from voting or offering amendments). The committee advanced the bill after several fisheries stakeholders testified in favor.

House Bill 33 is making waves in Alaska, allowing conflicted Board of Fisheries members to share their expertise in discussions while still abstaining from votes!

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#AK #AlaskaFisheries #CitizenPortal #LegislativeTransparency #FisheriesManagement

Committee advances bill to update fish‑egg import and aquaculture rules, DNR testifies changes align with region Senate file 4332, which updates rules for importing, stocking and transferring fish eggs for aquaculture, was amended and recommended to the floor after testimony from Dr. Isaiah Tolo (DNR), who said the changes align with regional egg‑disinfection science and pose no opposition in the Great Lakes region.

Minnesota is set to enhance its fisheries with a new bill that modernizes fish egg regulations, making aquaculture safer and more efficient than ever!

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#MN #MinnesotaAquaculture #CitizenPortal #RegulatoryUpdates #SustainableAquaculture #FisheriesManagement

Council hears California Current ecosystem report, team warns early upwelling kept heat wave offshore Council received the California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment team’s 2025–26 State of the Ecosystem Report, which shows productive upwelling and abundant forage in many regions but ongoing offshore heat waves, record domoic‑acid events in Southern California and worries about lost diet data and staffing cuts.

The latest California Current ecosystem report reveals a mix of promising marine productivity and alarming coastal heat waves, raising urgent concerns for our ocean's future.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #MarineEcosystems #ClimateChange #FisheriesManagement

Council finalizes nearshore stock decisions, sets conditions for Oregon removals and asks NWFSC for widow rockfish projections The council completed phase 2 of nearshore groundfish stock definitions—adopting Oregon removals with delayed implementation conditioned on benchmark assessments and MOUs, redesignating certain Washington stocks as ecosystem components, and asking the Northwest Fisheries Science Center to run alternative projections for widow rockfish harvest‑control rules to inform OFL/ABC advice.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has made significant decisions regarding nearshore stocks and widow rockfish, paving the way for future sustainability in the fishing industry.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #MarineConservation #EcosystemBalance #FisheriesManagement

Pacific Council adopts initial 2026 salmon management alternatives, including treaty and non‑Indian packages The council adopted initial sets of non‑Indian and treaty troll salmon management alternatives for 2026 and directed staff to analyze impacts for April; tribal delegations urged conservative planning to protect upriver runs and treaty rights.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council just took a monumental step towards shaping the future of ocean salmon fisheries by approving crucial management alternatives for 2026!

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#WA #CitizenPortal #SustainablePractices #CulturalProtection #FisheriesManagement

Senate Resources moves SB158 after Eastside set‑net permit holders testify Senate Resources held a public hearing on SB158 to create a new Cook Inlet administrative area for East Side set‑net permit holders; multiple permit holders testified in support and the committee moved the bill from committee with no objections.

Senator Jesse Bjorkman champions a new bill that could redefine permit management for East Side set-net fishers, giving them the power to shape their own future.

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#AK #AlaskaSetnet #CitizenPortal #SustainableFishing #LocalEconomy #FisheriesManagement

Report: Whale entanglements constrain Dungeness crab fishery; entanglement reports down from peak years Council presenters said confirmed West Coast whale entanglement reports in 2025 were below the 2015–18 peak and slightly lower than 2024, but humpbacks remain the most reported species and entanglement risk led to closures and gear restrictions—California's Dungeness crab fishery faced season‑long restrictions.

Whale entanglements may be declining, but the Dungeness crab fishery is facing unprecedented restrictions due to rising risks!

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#WA #CitizenPortal #WildlifeProtection #MarineConservation #FisheriesManagement

#oceanbiodiversity #fisheriesmanagement #internationaltraties #BBNJ
youtu.be/zeXLjWbMLR4?...

Attorney General’s office and tribes back repeal of outdated anti‑tribal fishing statute House Bill 2554 would repeal sections of RCW 77.11 (originating from Initiative 456) that conflict with federal treaty‑reserved fishing rights; the Attorney General’s Office and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (tribal-affairs director) testified they support repeal because the law is unenforceable and inconsistent with federal law.

Washington's House Bill 2554 aims to repeal an outdated anti-tribal fishing statute, a move backed by the Attorney General and tribal leaders to uphold treaty rights.

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#WA #CivicAccountability #IndigenousRights #CitizenPortal #FisheriesManagement

Committee advances scores of agriculture, Chesapeake and natural‑resources bills; PFAS, sludge, and nutrient measures move to appropriations The committee reported and referred multiple bills: PFAS sampling and sludge measures, nutrient‑credit changes, data‑center emissions limits, mattresses stewardship, carbon‑market participation for coastal resources, and others; many bills were reported with substitutes and several were continued to 2027.

Virginia's House Agriculture Committee just advanced a sweeping package of bills that tackle everything from PFAS pollution to fisheries management—big changes are on the horizon!

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#VA #VirginiaEnvironment #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalJustice #WaterQuality #FisheriesManagement

Alaska Fish and Game seeks $274 million in FY27; agency warns cuts have forced some survey cancellations The Department of Fish and Game asked the subcommittee to approve a $274 million FY27 governor’s request, saying federal grants and Fish and Game Fund receipts make up the bulk of its revenue and that recent budget cuts forced the department to cancel or delay several field surveys and redirect maintenance dollars to an unexpected shipyard bill.

Alaska's Department of Fish and Game is requesting a staggering $274 million for FY27, but recent budget cuts have already forced the cancellation of crucial field surveys!

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#AK #CitizenPortal #FederalFunding #AlaskaFishAndGame #WildlifeConservation #FisheriesManagement

Alaska lawmakers hear divided testimony on bill letting conflicted fisheries board members speak during deliberations At a Jan. 27 Senate committee hearing, proponents said House Bill 33 would let Board of Fisheries and Board of Game members share expertise during deliberations while still recusing from votes; opponents warned it would allow conflicted actors to influence allocation decisions and undermine public trust.

Alaska lawmakers are divided over a new bill that could reshape how fisheries board members contribute their expertise while navigating conflicts of interest.

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#AK #PublicTrust #AlaskaFisheries #FisheriesManagement #TransparencyInGovernance #CitizenPortal

Subcommittee carries over bill directing VMRC to develop fisheries climate-adaptation plan HB 389, directing the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to develop and maintain a science-based fisheries climate adaptation plan, was carried over for a year with a letter from the chair; supporters said climate impacts are already affecting fisheries and urged continued work.

Virginia is taking a crucial step to safeguard its fisheries by developing a science-based climate adaptation plan, but more work lies ahead!

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#VA #CoastalEconomies #FisheriesManagement #VirginiaFisheries #ClimateAdaptation #CitizenPortal

Sussex Shellfish Trends (2017–2024) 🦀

Our new video shows trends in landings, effort, and LPUE for #Sussex’s #inshore #shellfish #fisheries.

Thanks for data from local fishers’ catch returns which helps support sustainable #fisheriesmanagement.

🎥 Watch: youtu.be/Oo4zKW_nMXM?...

#sussexfishing

Witnesses urge Congress to create Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission for coordination, funding Witnesses at a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing urged passage of legislation (referred in testimony as HR 15 14) to authorize a voluntary Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission to coordinate states, tribes and federal agencies, secure formula and competitive grants, and tackle invasive species and habitat issues that cross state lines.

A new proposal for a Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission could transform how states tackle invasive species and manage fisheries across 1.2 million square miles!

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#US #CitizenPortal #InvasiveSpecies #EcosystemConservation #FisheriesManagement #MississippiRiverBasin

Florida fisheries official and states press for MRIP reform, back HR 5 6 9 9 to improve recreational data Dr. C.J. Sweetman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told a House subcommittee that NOAA's MRIP recreational-fishing data have large errors for some species and uses, and said HR 5 6 9 9 would fund state programs, require external review and reduce error to improve fisheries management.

Federal fisheries data is so flawed that one fish was estimated to represent a staggering 300,000 pounds, prompting urgent calls for reform.

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#US #CitizenPortal #FloridaFisheries #DataAccuracy #RecreationalFishing #FisheriesManagement

Northeastern RAC hears regional update on moose incidents, habitat projects and fisheries data Regional manager reported mistaken bull moose shootings during hunting season, expanded outreach (Utah Bird Slam, pheasant releases), large habitat projects (about 20,000 acres of fencing, seedings, water-collection apron) and aquatic monitoring showing a decline in burbot catch rates and a record kokanee egg take.

A recent update from the Northeastern Regional Advisory Council revealed shocking incidents of mistaken bull moose shootings and exciting new habitat projects that could transform wildlife management in Utah.

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#UT #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #FisheriesManagement

These new projects explore:
🐟 How genomic data can guide wild sockeye management
🔥 How rising temperatures affect fish immunity
🦐 How warming oceans impact zooplankton nutrition
🐠 How gut microbiomes shape species survival
#FisheriesManagement #EcosystemHealth #ClimateImpact

Hooked on change Charting a new course for fisheries in a warming world

www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feat... #atlanticcod #climatechange #cod #fisheriesmanagement #groundfish #gulfofmaine #mismanaged #noaa #ocean #overfishing #science #sustainability #warmingocean #whoi

Council hears update on West Coast marine mammal take reduction team, TRT to convene with tight schedule NOAA Fisheries has established a West Coast take reduction team to address humpback whale interactions with the federal sablefish pot fishery; the council’s designee reported the team must develop recommendations within the statutory timeframe and stakeholders urged virtual access and recording to ensure transparency.

A new initiative aimed at protecting humpback whales from fishing interactions is launching with a tight timeline—will stakeholders get their voices heard in time?

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#WA #CitizenPortal #StakeholderParticipation #WildlifeConservation #FisheriesManagement

Commercial fisherman protests trout endorsement changes as agency explains payout limits A commercial fisherman raised concerns in public comment that lowered endorsement thresholds and expanded eligibility are flooding the speckled-trout market; the department said second-round federal funds were limited to shrimp and oysters and cannot be paid to finfish harvesters under NOAA guidance.

A commercial fisherman is sounding the alarm over new endorsement rules that could flood the speckled trout market and jeopardize livelihoods in Mississippi.

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#MS #CitizenPortal #MarketRegulation #EconomicImpact #MississippiCommercialFishing #FisheriesManagement

An overview of the brown crab (Cancer pagurus) fisheries and stock trends in the Northeast Atlantic This report provides a summary of the issues faced by the brown crab fisheries in Europe and describes the main trends by country, focusing on landings, fishing effort, stock status indicators, and stock assessments. Brown crabs are commercially harvested for human consumption by both inshore and offshore fishing fleets, using mostly pots and traps. The largest brown crab fisheries take place around the coasts of the UK, Ireland, northern France, and Norway, with catches feeding into a predominantly European market. There is a general lack of infor­ma­tion on brown crab population dynamics; and data is lacking on certain aspects of their biology, such as growth rate and stock structure. The absence of regulation on catch limits, combined with relatively high market values, makes this species vulnerable to over­fishing. In recent years, ICES Working Group on the Biology and Life History of Crabs (WGCRAB) has expressed concern over declining catch rates and uncertain exploitation levels of brown crab in many of the management units within the ICES area. Landings of brown crab in northern Europe have been decreasing since 2016. Despite this, some new fisheries have emerged and catch rates are stable or increasing in Scandinavia and in the southern North Sea. Countries with a long tradition of fishing for brown crab have developed sampling programmes, but there are no systematic data collection programmes for more recent fisheries. Most stocks are managed solely using minimum conservation reference sizes: a strategy that protects small and immature animals but does not consider the economic and ecological viability of fishing. There is a need for improved management in brown crab fish­eries to incorporate objectives for both sustainable and viable fishing and balance the produc­tive capacity of stocks and the fleets involved.

Read the full report at ices-library.figshare.com/articles/report/An_overv...

#BrownCrab #FisheriesManagement #SustainableSeafood #Aquaculture #InshoreFisheries #ICES #EthicalSeafoodResearch

Sussex IFCA Annual Report 2024–25 is now live.

It highlights our work in sustainable fisheries management, marine research, MPA protection and our ongoing partnerships across the Sussex District.

Link in Bio 🐟

#sussex_ifca #fisheriesmanagement #sussexseas #inshorefishing #coastalfisheries

Dare County adopts resolution opposing proposed blue crab harvest restrictions pending new stock assessment The Board voted unanimously to oppose a proposed five‑month closure and/or a 10‑bushel limit for blue crab, urging managers to wait for a 2026 stock assessment and improve data collection methods before imposing restrictions.

Dare County officials are standing firm against proposed blue crab harvest restrictions, arguing that hasty limits could devastate local fishermen and communities.

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#DareCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #EconomicImpact #DataCollection #FisheriesManagement

Wrapping up with reflections from @surimi-project.bsky.social coordinator, Patrycja Antosz, and farewells as we all head home.
Thank you to all partners for two days of collaboration, energy, and shared tapas in Barcelona 🦐 Onwards to another productive year of SURIMI!
#EUDTO #FisheriesManagement

Coalition presses for science and process reforms as state moves on sheephead management Coalition members raised concerns that sheepshead management is proceeding without peer‑reviewed stock assessments and discussed seeking administrative and legislative changes to require fishery management plans (FMPs), economic impact analyses, and rulemaking rather than proclamation. The coalition authorized drafting and distributing a statement.

The North Carolina Coastal Counties Fishing Coalition is urging immediate action to ensure science-backed management of the sheepshead fishery before it's too late!

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#CarteretCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #EconomicImpact #FisheriesManagement