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CLF's Ocean Conservation Program is working to restore and protect the health of New England's ocean environment through innovative science, community-based partnerships and legal advocacy.  

Ocean Conservation Program goals: 

1. Restore and protect ocean habitats, and the biodiversity that they support, through the establishment of a regional network of ocean conservation areas.
2. Rebuild and sustain New England's ocean fish populations to support the ocean ecosystem and our coastal communities.
3. Catalyze the adoption and implementation of comprehensive ocean management plans for New England's ocean waters.

CLF's current Ocean Conservation initiatives and cases include: 

• Rebuilding Groundfish: Ending the overfishing of cod and other groundfish species in New England through legislation and other methods. Learn more...
• Herring Management: Advocating for the development of a new fishery management plan for herring, a critical forage fish that supports groundfish and many other important marine species in New England. Learn more...
• Ocean Conservation Areas: Promoting marine reserves and ocean sanctuaries to protect and restore ocean wildlife and habitat for future generations. Learn more...
• Estuary Restoration: Leading a program that distributes funds for estuary restoration projects in New England's communities, part of a national effort to restore 1 millions acres by 2010. Learn more...
• Stellwagen Bank: Pushing for the creation of fully protected ocean wildlife and habitat areas at Stellwagen Bank, where excessive pollution, overfishing, and environmentally insensitive fishing practices are prohibited. Learn more...
• Atlantic Wolffish: Petitioning the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list the Atlantic wolffish for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Learn more...
• Georges Bank Oil and Gas Drilling: Preventing oil and gas drilling on Georges Bank, New England’s most important fishing grounds, and the resulting catastrophic orchronic release of toxic pollutants. Learn more...
• MA Ocean Management Initiative: Developing a comprehensive ocean management plan that balances commercial use and personal recreation with the essential protection of underwater ocean habitat and marine life. Learn more...

Ocean Conservation key accomplishments and victories: 

• Blocked offshore drilling on Georges Bank through a court victory.
• Filed a landmark and ground-breaking lawsuit challenging a fishery management plan for violations of the Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the nation’s fishery management law. As a result of CLF litigation, the National Marine Fisheries Service adopted new rules protecting Atlantic right whales, humpback and other whale species from entanglement in fishing gear.
• Opposed and prevented the construction of a deepwater cargo port on 940-acre Sears Island, Maine’s largest undeveloped island.
• Forced the federal government, through a court victory, to introduce comprehensive rebuilding plans for cod, flounder, haddock and other important groundfish in the North Atlantic.
• Prevented the expansion of Maine’s destructive salmon farming industry from moving into sensitive ecological areas of the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and Blue Hill Bays, and sparked adoption of the first comprehensive pollution prevention permits for the emerging industry.
• Strengthened New England’s fishery management plan, known as Amendment 13, and reduced the waste of fish at sea, known as bycatch.
• Helped pass Massachusetts Ocean Act in the State Senate.
• Led a national ocean conservation coalition that successfully convinced Congress to strengthen the Magnuson-Stevens Act, thereby closing a loophole exploited by New England fisheries managers to allow overfishing on critically depleted stocks like Georges Bank cod.
• Partnered with a coalition of local fishermen and conservationists to convince New England fishery managers to adopt a new Atlantic Herring management plan, protecting against the destructive fishing practices of large mid-water trawlers.
• Led Maine's aquaculture reform and the discussion of siting improvements and environmental permitting that encourages an economically sustainable and environmentally sound future for the industry.
• Facilited, along with other key groups, an overhaul of Maine's marine resource management system, ensuring the development of forward-looking programs.