Policy News
AFS was heavily involved in planning the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation’s (CERF) biennial conference in Providence on November 5-9 and several AFS members had important roles at the event. The society’s contributions include arranging a video welcome from U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to Rhode Island, co-designing two science sessions on anadromous fish, co-organizing a... Read More
Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.) of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee along with Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), Garret Graves (R-La.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-NMI), and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) have introduced a bipartisan bill to support the National Wildlife... Read More
By Tom Bigford, AFS Policy Co-Director Regional approaches make sense when managing aquatic resources. Critters have no respect for state borders, turf battles, or regulatory jurisdiction. Ditto for air, water, and sediments. For those reasons, I am heartened by the recent progress by regional planning bodies to develop ocean plans for significant sections of our... Read More
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cancelled the speaking appearances of three scientists at an event launching the “State of the Narragansett Bay and Watershed” report in Providence, Rhode Island. The peer reviewed report summarizes work of more than 50 university, government, non-profit, and private sector scientists. It highlights the many successes resulting from sound, science-based... Read More
The Senate Commerce Committee Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee convened a Magnuson-Stevens Act re-authorization hearing focusing on fisheries science on Tuesday, October 24, 2017. The hearing, a fourth of the series, focused on the state of our nation’s fisheries and the science that supports sustainable management. The witnesses included two AFS members, Ray... Read More
In early 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to resolve jurisdictional wrangling over which federal court should hear challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s contentious 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. That rule sought to clarify the definition of “navigable waters” in the Clean Water Act (CWA). Earlier this month, the nation’s highest court... Read More
America’s fish and wildlife are in crisis. Hundreds of species are facing risk of becoming threatened or endangered. States have determined that there are 12,000 species that are rare, declining, or vulnerable and in need of conservation, but current funding does not match the size of the problem. AFS, the National Wildlife Federation, The Wildlife... Read More
Retired Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet was confirmed by the full Senate the first week of October for the number 2 post at NOAA. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee recommended the confirmation of Gallaudet. Most recently, he served as commander of the Navy’s Meteorology and Oceanography Command. Gallaudet, 50, of California has a long... Read More
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) released its five-year strategic plan for advancing the protection of the ocean and Great Lakes. Our Vision for America’s Treasured Ocean Places incorporates feedback from staff, members of the public, and a number of partner institutions and entities and is available for review here. Read More
As Commerce chief, Secretary Wilbur Ross’ portfolio includes oversight of NOAA, but it is rather unusual for a cabinet level official to wade into federal fisheries management decisions. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS or NOAA Fisheries), a unit within NOAA is charged with management of the nation’s fisheries. With the help of the six regional... Read More
