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Aker QRILL Company's Antarctic Krill Fishery Recertified by MSC Amidst NGO Objections

Aker QRILL Company's Antarctic Krill Fishery Recertified by MSC Amidst NGO Objections

Aker QRILL Company's Antarctic krill fishery has been recertified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard, marking its continuous certification since 2010. This latest five-year reassessment involved a rigorous process, including an independent review following formal objections from two NGOs, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) and WWF-UK. The fishery achieved strong scores across all three MSC principles: sustainability of target stocks (86.7), environmental and ecosystem impacts (88.7), and fisheries management system (93.5). The recertification includes two conditions aimed at improving local-scale fisheries management, preventing concentrated fishing activity, and strengthening ecosystem safeguards. These conditions are a standard part of the MSC program, designed to encourage ongoing improvements in fishery performance. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) sets precautionary measures, such as limiting catches to approximate...

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Criticizes New Menhaden Catch Limits as Insufficient for Ecosystem Protection

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Criticizes New Menhaden Catch Limits as Insufficient for Ecosystem Protection

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has expressed dissatisfaction with the new Atlantic menhaden catch limits set by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), stating that they do not go far enough to protect the fish and the wildlife dependent on them. While the ASMFC reduced the catch limit for the Chesapeake Bay by approximately one-third over the next two years, from 51,000 metric tons to 33,847 metric tons, the CBF argues that the coast-wide limits, which were cut by nine percent in 2027 and another nine percent in 2028 (capping at 155,000 metric tons by 2028), fall short. Will Poston, Forage Campaign Manager for the CBF, criticized the ASMFC for failing to fully follow its own ecosystem science, despite acknowledging the Chesapeake Bay limit as a 'hard-earned win' and 'real progress.'

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Reduces Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Harvest Cap

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Reduces Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Harvest Cap

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has approved significant reductions in the menhaden harvest cap for the Chesapeake Bay. At its annual meetings, the commission voted to decrease the reduction fishery cap by approximately one-third over the next two years. The current catch limit of 51,000 metric tons will be reduced to 37,123 metric tons for 2027 and further to 33,847 metric tons by 2028. These changes, which are scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2027, were initiated due to concerns about harvest and catch declines in recent years. The board also voted to reduce the coastwide total allowable catch (TAC) from 186,840 metric tons to 155,000 metric tons by 2028. Virginia voted against the measure, which passed 14-2.

U.S. Food Manufacturers Seek Innovative Technology to Bolster Supply Chain Resilience Amid Global Pressures

U.S. Food Manufacturers Seek Innovative Technology to Bolster Supply Chain Resilience Amid Global Pressures

U.S. Food Manufacturers Seek Innovative Technology to Bolster Supply Chain Resilience Amid Global Pressures

Major League Fishing and Zoeller Pumps Announce $5,000 Grant for Reservoir Fish Habitat Conservation

Major League Fishing and Zoeller Pumps Announce $5,000 Grant for Reservoir Fish Habitat Conservation

Major League Fishing (MLF), in partnership with Zoeller Pumps, has announced a $5,000 contribution to establish a new conservation grant. This funding, part of the Zoeller Pumps 'We Work for Water' initiative, will be administered through the Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership (RFHP). The grant aims to provide financial assistance to conservation organizations across the United States that are working to improve water quality, aquatic habitat, and fish populations in reservoirs. This announcement was made during the 16th Annual Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership Meeting held in Idaho Falls, Idaho, from September 21-24. This contribution marks the third 'We Work for Water' donation from Zoeller Pumps in 2026 through MLF’s Fisheries Management Division (FMD), following support for the James River Basin Partnership and Mighty River Recovery earlier in the year. Unlike previous contributions, this grant will be competitive and available to eligible Friends of Reservoirs member organizations, with projects requ...

NOAA Fisheries to Host 2027 National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Summit in U.S.

NOAA Fisheries to Host 2027 National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Summit in U.S.

NOAA Fisheries, in collaboration with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, will host the 2027 National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Summit. This two-day event will bring together saltwater recreational fishermen, industry members, scientists, and managers from across the United States and its territories. The summit aims to foster a shared understanding of challenges facing U.S. fisheries, collaboratively identify actionable solutions, and strengthen relationships among stakeholders. Key themes for discussion include Recreational Data Modernization, Angler-Informed Research, and Sustaining Recreational Fishing Opportunities, which will explore the impact of fishing efficiency, effort, and technology. The summit will provide a platform for participants to learn about and contribute to the modernization of recreational fisheries data collection, engage in cooperative research and citizen science initiatives, and examine how technological advancements influence fishing and fisheries management...

Two Conchs Sportfishing Charters Offers Multi-Day Fishing Camps in Florida Keys

Two Conchs Sportfishing Charters Offers Multi-Day Fishing Camps in Florida Keys

Two Conchs Sportfishing Charters Offers Multi-Day Fishing Camps in Florida Keys

Phanatic and Volunteers Distribute Trees for Community Planting

Phanatic and Volunteers Distribute Trees for Community Planting

On Tuesday morning, the Phillie Phanatic, Phillies Ballgirls, and volunteers from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) gathered at the Philabundance warehouse in Roxborough to distribute 950 trees for a community planting event. The initiative is part of the Phillies' Home Runs for Trees program, which plants a tree for every home run hit by the team. Since its inception, the program has resulted in the planting of 2,643 trees in the Greater Philadelphia area, promoting environmental sustainability and expanding the urban tree canopy.

NOAA Fisheries Proposes Shrimp Fishery Access Area in Oculina Bank to Optimize Yield

NOAA Fisheries Proposes Shrimp Fishery Access Area in Oculina Bank to Optimize Yield

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comments on a proposed rule to establish a shrimp fishery access area within the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern (OHAPC). This action, proposed through Amendment 11 to the FMP for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats and Amendment 12 to the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, aims to allow vessels with valid limited access commercial rock shrimp permits to bottom trawl for rock shrimp in a designated 14.10 NM2 area. The OHAPC, located off Ft. Pierce, Florida, was established to protect deep-water coral habitats, primarily Oculina varicosa. Recent mapping and seafloor assessments in the proposed access area have indicated soft bottom/flat substrate with no evidence of Oculina corals. The proposal includes a variable buffer zone of 350 to 1,580 meters between the access area and known coral pinnacles to prevent adverse impacts from trawling. The comment period for the proposed rule is open from November 12, 2026, through Decem...

Food and Beverage Companies Implement Sustainable Packaging Changes Amid Regulatory Pressure

Food and Beverage Companies Implement Sustainable Packaging Changes Amid Regulatory Pressure

Food and Beverage Companies Implement Sustainable Packaging Changes Amid Regulatory Pressure

Paul Meeks Expresses Bullish Outlook for CoreWeave in 2027, Cites Concerns for 2028

Paul Meeks Expresses Bullish Outlook for CoreWeave in 2027, Cites Concerns for 2028

Paul Meeks Expresses Bullish Outlook for CoreWeave in 2027, Cites Concerns for 2028

Friend of the Sea Launches Initiative to Combat Italy's Invasive Blue Crab Crisis

Friend of the Sea Launches Initiative to Combat Italy's Invasive Blue Crab Crisis

Friend of the Sea, in collaboration with the World Sustainability Foundation (WSF), has initiated a program to support Italian fishing and aquaculture businesses affected by the invasive blue crab. The 'Blue Crab and Responsible Fishing' initiative invites proposals from seafood businesses, researchers, and other stakeholders to address the environmental and economic impacts of the species' expansion along Italy's Adriatic coast. Governmental figures from August indicate that the blue crab has caused over 70 percent declines in market-sized clam production in some areas of Emilia-Romagna. While commercial utilization of blue crab is being explored as a solution, Friend of the Sea and WSF emphasize that any commercial exploitation must align with the primary goal of containment. Projects receiving support must demonstrate business models compatible with declining blue crab abundance, avoiding practices that would maintain or increase wild populations.