CLIMATE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
US Move to Loosen Fishing Restrictions Sparks Concern Over Ecosystem Damage
WHY IT MATTERS
The deregulation of US fisheries could have long-lasting consequences for ocean health and the sustainability of fisheries, potentially taking years to recover from overfishing and ecosystem damage.
What happened
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries has released a list of priorities aimed at deregulating the domestic fishing industry. The 34-item list outlines plans to loosen restrictions on where, when, and with what gear fishers can operate.
Conservationists warn that this move could lead to overfishing and lasting harm to ecosystems that support ocean health and sustain fisheries. According to Reggie Paros, senior director of public affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund, reducing regulations could take years to recover from, with damaging outcomes on the water.
NOAA Fisheries oversees scientific research, data collection, and regulation of commercial fishing operations in the United States, working alongside regional and tribal councils.
PRIMARY SOURCES
US move to loosen restrictions on fishing could harm vital ecosystems, experts warn
Mongabay · Autumn Spanne · Discovery and factual synthesis only; publisher copyright terms apply