“Mr. Rafael’s crimes put the health of our fisheries directly in harm’s way, and today’s order helps ensure that he pays a price for that corruption,” said CLF attorney Megan Herzog. “Though this amounts to just a small slice of Mr. Rafael’s assets, it sends a signal that anyone who crosses the line will be held criminally accountable. By reinvesting proceeds associated with this case into stronger monitoring and redistributing Mr. Rafael’s forfeited quota among the fishermen harmed by his egregious crimes, we can begin to turn the page on this dark chapter in New England’s fisheries.”
Oct 11
2017
2017
Sep 25
2017
2017
Carlos Rafael Sentence Shows Zero Tolerance for Fish Fraud
“The sentence imposed by Judge Young today sends a strong message that systemic abuse of our fishery resources will not be tolerated,” said CLF attorney Megan Herzog. “While others played by the rules, Mr. Rafael showed brazen disregard for fishermen, their families, and the health of our ocean environment. Going forward, it is critical that we implement stronger monitoring and enforcement at sea in order to ensure New England’s fishing industry operates on a level playing field.”
Jun 5
2017
2017
Trump’s National Ocean Proclamation Covfefe, Confusing
Instead of using National Ocean Month as a platform for promoting conservation, Trump seized the moment to suggest ways to exploit and destroy our oceans treasures.
May 12
2017
2017
Blue Vision Summit: A Time to Come Together to Advocate for Our Oceans
This week, ocean advocates convened at the Blue Vision Summit in Washington, D.C., to rally support in defense of our blue movement and to discuss solutions to some of the ocean’s toughest challenges. This three-day meeting brought together some 500 participants from across the country, first to meet with members of Congress and, second, to…
Mar 2
2017
2017
Third Ocean Frontiers Film Highlights Ocean Management and the ‘Blue Economy’
The crew that brought us Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship and Ocean Frontiers II: A New England Story for Sustaining the Sea is back with a third installment. This newest documentary showcases the progress of ocean management in the context of what it means to be responsible stewards…
Feb 2
2017
2017
Top Raimondo Staffer to Lead CLF Rhode Island Office
“CLF has been at the forefront of some of Rhode Island’s seminal environmental triumphs, and it is an honor to be leading such an impressive and accomplished team in the fights ahead,” said Moses. “In the past year alone, CLF has held polluters accountable for endangering our waters, protected the people of Johnston from a toxic landfill, and helped bring offshore wind to our state. We are certain to face countless uphill battles in the years to come, and I know CLF is ready to tackle them.”
Dec 28
2016
2016
Community Voices: Planning for the Future
A typical day at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire, finds it packed with ocean enthusiasts: children and adults touch native starfish, learn from interactive exhibits about ocean habitats, and explore tidal pools along the protected New Hampshire coastline. The Center doesn’t just aim to teach visitors about the Gulf of Maine, it…
Dec 28
2016
2016
Our Changing Ocean
Climate Impacts in Motion In September, leaders from around the world gathered in Washington, D.C., for the third annual Our Ocean Conference, hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry. Together, they committed to 136 new initiatives aimed at conserving and protecting fragile ocean areas worldwide. In between commitments from the countries of Sri Lanka and…
Dec 12
2016
2016
Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm Begins Producing Clean, Renewable Power
“This is the beginning of a new clean energy chapter for New England and proof that new jobs and new industries will flourish in a future free from reliance on fossil fuels,” said CLF President Bradley Campbell. “Deepwater Wind deserves particular credit for seeing that good environmental stewardship of the environment is also good business, engaging all key voices in the development process to minimize impacts to endangered North Atlantic right whales and other ocean resources while achieving on-time, on-budget construction.”
Dec 7
2016
2016
Historic Approval of Northeast Ocean Plan a Testament to Our Region’s Strength
In a historic moment, the White House announced today the official approval of the landmark Northeast Ocean Plan. This approval by the National Ocean Council sets the Northeast Ocean Plan in motion and into the implementation stage – cementing New England’s legacy as a national leader for protecting and managing our oceans. The plan is…