Nathan Strout

Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green has signed into law the establishment of an Office of Marine Affairs, which will be dedicated to managing the state’s blue economy. “It’s difficult to articulate just how important the ocean is to our people,” Green said following a 6 July bill signing. “That relationship is at the heart of Hawai‘i’s identity, shaping our communities in every way. Protecting marine health and utilizing resources… Read More

Mexico’s National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca) has put out a statement claiming that a nearly completed ammonia plant being built in Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico, won’t affect commercial fishing activity. The production facility is being built within the Port of Topolobampo and will be connected to the nation’s natural gas infrastructure. Project developer Proman GPO, the Mexican subsidiary of Swiss energy company… Read More

The Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) Board of Commissioners is continuing to advance development of a new working waterfront and commercial fishing facility at Port Canaveral in the U.S. state of Florida. “Port Canaveral began as a commercial fishing port in 1953, and our decades-long legacy with this industry continues to this day. This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to support this important resource that delivers vital economic… Read More

The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) has secured three offshore patrol vessels under a new framework contract, maintaining the agency’s current enforcement capacity. The three Portuguese-flagged vessels – Ocean Guardian, Ocean Protector and Ocean Sentinel – were chartered from subcontractors Sentinel Offshore Vessels Limited, Cyan Sentinel Limited, and Sentinel Marine Netherlands for a four-year period. According to EFCA, the… Read More

NOAA Fisheries has identified six nations engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing based on the activities of those foreign governments from 2022 through 2024. Every two years, the agency sends a report to Congress identifying which countries are engaged in IUU fishing, which countries have adequate shark protections, and which countries have forced labor present in their seafood supply chains. NOAA Fisheries also issues… Read More

A group of United States senators have asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase more catfish, claiming that the sector is under “severe financial strain.” Under Section 32 of the U.S. Agricultural Adjustment Act, the USDA can purchase surplus goods and use the food in federal food assistance programs, and the government does so regularly. In a 30 June letter, five U.S. senators asked the USDA to exercise that authority to… Read More

U.S. legislators in Congress are once again utilizing the fiscal year 2027 annual military funding bill to advance several key seafood provisions, most of which block the Department of Defense from purchasing foreign seafood. The U.S. House took up its version of the bill recently, which most notably would eliminate any exemptions from the military’s “Buy American” requirements when it comes to seafood. That requirement is part of the… Read More

An individual in California was arrested after being caught illegally spearfishing lobster in the South La Jolla State Marine Reserve, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). “CDFW wildlife officers remain committed to protecting California’s coastal resources and will continue proactive patrols to deter poaching in sensitive marine protected areas,” CDFW said in a social media post. “Lobster seasons, size… Read More

More than a year after U.S. President Donald Trump issued his executive order “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,” the administration is sending wish lists of deregulatory actions to the nation’s eight regional fishery management councils. “We just announced that President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are taking one more big step towards unlocking the fertile fisheries of America,” White House Senior Counselor… Read More

The European Commission is seeking public comments on ways to simplify the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), the main vehicle for the European Union’s (E.U.) investments in aquaculture and fisheries. According to a release, the commission is considering a targeted amendment that would “make the fund simpler, more flexible, and easier to implement.” The commission noted that a mid-term evaluation of EMFAF as well… Read More