Nathan Strout

U.S. lawmakers are pushing for a stronger federal response to golden mussels, an invasive species found on the U.S. west coast that can cause massive damage to waterways and infrastructure. “Golden mussels have spread across California with alarming speed, infesting our waterways, and destroying infrastructure and ecosystems,” U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-California said in a release. “It is clear that we must intensify efforts with local,… Read More

Louisiana lawmakers are pushing to strengthen the state’s seafood labeling laws, passing legislation to prevent the comingling of imported and domestic shrimp. HB 857 would require all comingled seafood to be labeled as such – retailers presenting comingled seafood as solely locally-sourced would be fined USD 15,000 (EUR 12,904). Fines would rise to USD 25,000 (EUR 21,506) and USD 50,000 (EUR 43,013) for a second and third offense,… Read More

Joint patrols conducted by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents and NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) resulted in citations for eight individuals. All citations took place during two Joint Enforcement Agreement patrols conducted on 15 May. They include: A citation of an Ocean Springs, Mississippi, U.S.A. resident for shrimping in federal waters without a federal shrimp permit; A citation of a… Read More

The Maryland Agriculture and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) has launched a new program offering zero-interest disaster relief loans to commercial oystermen hurt by a difficult season, with both icy conditions and a broken sewage pipe impact their bottom lines. “Through its new Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund, MARBIDCO is offering zero-interest disaster relief loans to help commercial oyster… Read More

A U.S. House of Representatives committee has advanced the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act, legislation that would enable the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to destroy imported goods that have been refused entry due to contamination. “I am proud to champion bills like the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act, which was passed yesterday in [the House Committee on Energy and Commerce] to create a fair playing field for our fishermen and… Read More

The U.S. Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on 26 individuals it claims are connected to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and related activities. “Protecting the bounty of the world's oceans from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a US global priority under [U.S. President Donald Trump] and [U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio]. Today the [U.S. Department of State] used a new policy to restrict… Read More

Three U.S. conservation groups have challenged NOAA Fisheries’ approval of seafood imports from eight nations, arguing that they have not implemented protections for marine mammals that are comparable to those in force in the U.S. “The United States can save the lives of countless whales and dolphins getting caught in fishing gear around the world, but only if it enforces the law,” Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) International… Read More

The European Commission has approved the French government’s plan to distribute EUR 13 million (USD 15 million) in financial aid to its fishers to help offset the rapid rise in fuel prices caused by the Iran War. “The current crisis in the Middle East has led to a sharp and sudden increase in energy prices, with marine fuel prices increasing by more than 75 percent between late February and April 2026,” the commission said in its… Read More

U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) and U.S. Representative Sarah Elfreth (D-Maryland) have partnered on a new bill to improve state and federal responses to aquatic invasive species. "The strength of Michigan’s economy is directly tied to the long-term health of the Great Lakes, and as stewards of the Great Lakes, we bear the responsibility of preserving their well-being for future generations," Walberg said. "This vital legislation… Read More

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia has issued a preliminary injunction temporarily halting four states from expanding their recreational red snapper fishing seasons under exempting fishing permits (EFP) issued earlier in May. “The South Atlantic EFPs for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are no longer in effect until further order from the Court, and the recreational harvest of red snapper in the… Read More