News

Policy News

Modern Fish Act Signed by President

The Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act, known as the “Modern Fish Act,” or S. 1520, passed the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in late December and was signed by President Trump just before the end of the year.  The bill seeks to address frustration with federal management of recreational fishing, stemming from shortened or... Read More

What’s Up With WOTUS?

By Leanne Roulson, AFS Second Vice President Originally published as a Guest Editorial from the AFS Western Division’s Tributary newsletter. On December 11th, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released a proposed rule that that regulates Waters of the US (WOTUS) to redefine the scope of Clean Water Act protections... Read More

Replacing Clean Water Rule Would Threaten Fish, Waterfowl, and Outdoor Recreation Economy

News for Immediate Release December 11, 2018 Contact: Kristyn Brady, 617-501-6352, [email protected] Replacing Clean Water Rule Would Threaten Fish, Waterfowl, and Outdoor Recreation Economy The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers proceeds with rolling back Clean Water Act protections for headwater streams and wetlands—harming trout, waterfowl, and outdoor recreation businesses.  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the... Read More

Aquatic Scientists Push Back Against Narrow WOTUS Rule

American Fisheries Society • Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography • Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation • Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society • International Association for Great Lakes Research • North American Lake Management Society • Phycological Society of America • Society for Freshwater Science • Society of Wetland Scientists Aquatic Scientists Push Back... Read More

Aquaculture Update

On Monday, Sept. 24, U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo ruled in favor of environmental, public interest and fishing groups who filed suit against the national Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, two years ago to block efforts to establish aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. In January... Read More

AFS Seeks Feedback on Open Science Policy Implemented at Interior

The Interior Department released an “open science” policy this week that is similar to the controversial policy issued by EPA in the spring in furtherance of the Trump Administration’s efforts to increase transparency and accountability in federal decision making. The four-page order signed by Deputy Secretary David Bernhardt directs the department to “utilize and prioritize... Read More

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Reaches 100 Co-Sponsors in House

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R. 4647) – legislation that would dedicate $1.3 billion annually towards the conservation and monitoring of at-risk species at the state level – has just reached 100 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. The American Fisheries Society has been working in concert with partner conservation organizations to secure co-sponsors. The... Read More