The fishing industry is key to New England's culture and history. Photo: EcoPhotography
Fish species, like Atlantic cod, that are important to the marine ecosystem and hold significant cultural ties to the region, have been fished beyond what the populations can endure. Though the Magnuson-Stevens Act has helped move us toward sustainable fisheries over the last 50 years, climate change, rollbacks in scientific research funding, and long-standing management issues threaten our fisheries now more than ever.
There are two milestone anniversaries to celebrate this year – CLF turns 60, and the nation’s landmark fisheries law turns 50! In 1976, Congress passed the bipartisan Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act with three primary goals: prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished populations, and protect important habitat, for the benefit of the ecosystem and communities that depend upon abundant fish populations. To combat declining fish populations, CLF has spent decades leveraging the Magnuson-Stevens Act to shape fisheries management through advocacy and litigation. CLF continues to support work towards rebuilding overfished populations of beloved New England species.
In this post, we’ll showcase five examples of CLF’s sustainable fisheries advocacy accomplishments throughout the last 60 years.
1. One of CLF’s first major federal cases protected New England’s premier fishing grounds
Before the Magnuson-Stevens Act was signed into law, CLF joined forces with New England’s fishing communities to stop oil and gas drilling on Georges Bank. This area is one of the world’s most productive fishing grounds. As such, it’s also important to New England’s cultural heritage for its contribution to New England’s maritime identity.
In 1978, federal regulators planned to open Georges Bank to oil and gas drilling – a move that would have destroyed this vital area. CLF went to court to stop this reckless proposal, alongside the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a number of other fishing and conservation groups to prevent the sale of oil and gas leases that threatened to destroy the area. Not only were CLF and the fishing communities victorious in protecting Georges Bank from the destructive drilling, but it also marked the beginning of CLF’s successful work protecting our marine resources.
2. CLF was the first nonprofit organization in the country to sue the federal government to enforce overfishing protections under the Magnuson-Stevens Act
For decades, New England suffered from declining “groundfish” populations (certain species of fish, like cod, haddock and flounder that live near the ocean floor) due to overfishing. Even after the Magnuson-Stevens Act passed, overfishing remained a challenge. That’s because the species’ management plan intended to prevent overfishing was too lenient and largely ineffective.
In 1991, CLF stepped in and sued the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the government agency responsible for overseeing fishery management plans for all fish including Atlantic cod. We proved that the government was failing to uphold the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which requires NOAA to sustainably manage the fish that New England has relied on for generations. CLF’s lawsuit led to the implementation of meaningful fishing reforms and allowed fish populations to begin recovering.
3. CLF helped to pass and enforce strengthened federal fisheries management
CLF has championed conservation and safeguarded New England’s ocean by participating in federal fisheries management and challenging unlawful actions by fishery management councils. For example, by the mid-1990s, it was clear that the existing Magnuson-Stevens Act was ineffective in controlling the amount of fish caught and rebuilding fish populations. CLF then joined more than 100 other organizations consisting of conservationists and fishermen to form the Marine Fish Conservation Network. The formation of this network was an unprecedented effort to support more effective management of U.S. fishery resources.
The Network ultimately helped pass a significant revision to the Magnuson-Stevens Act when it came up for its first reauthorization in 1996. The updated law included new mandates aimed at stopping overfishing, rebuilding fish populations within a certain timeframe, protecting fish habitat, and minimizing bycatch (fish caught by accident when targeting another species). This marked the first time the federal government was required to define clear and numerical criteria to determine when a fish population is overfished.
In 2001, when subsequent management plans did not comply with the new mandates, CLF sued to enforce them. In this landmark case, cod, haddock, and flounder species were threatened by an insufficient management plan. CLF secured another win, which led to a new, stronger management plan for these critical species.
4. CLF pushed for updated science-based Atlantic cod management
The New England Fishery Management Council has historically managed Atlantic cod as two distinct populations depending on where they were found. Fishermen voiced concerns about his approach early on, since this distinction didn’t match what they saw on the water. As scientific research techniques progressed, scientists agreed that there are at least five distinct populations in U.S. waters. To preserve genetic diversity and ensure cod populations can be rebuilt, a new management policy is needed to assess and managed the populations individually.
In light of this information, CLF pushed NOAA to adopt the latest science for Atlantic cod populations and create a new management and rebuilding plan that reflects the best available science. A few months later, the requirements went into effect on June 30, 2026.
5. CLF is committed to the fight for sustainable fisheries and the needed federal funding to support fisheries management
NOAA is the government agency tasked with conserving and managing commercially important fish species. Scientists at NOAA produce high-caliber research that contributes to our understanding of best management and sustainability practices. NOAA is also responsible for enforcing the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
However, the Trump administration has imposed severe budget cuts that have reduced funding for the agency’s critical scientific research. These cuts have also hindered NOAA’s ability to enforce the law. And the administration continues to propose additional funding cuts that would further weaken this vital agency.
CLF joined other conservation groups to form the Fisheries Forward coalition and oppose these detrimental rollbacks, defend the integrity of NOAA’s science, and protect requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
The Future of Our Fisheries
As this year marks 60 years of CLF’s work and 50 years of our country’s landmark fisheries law, it is important to reflect and celebrate CLF’s accomplishments using the law, science and policy to advocate for healthy fish and fisheries. CLF’s team of lawyers, scientists, economists, and policy experts helps us continue our advocacy work in the face of threats posed by the current administration. Now, more than ever, we need to support sustainable fishery management to ensure our fisheries provide for future generations.
You can support CLF’s litigation and advocacy by signing up for our emails. Keep an eye out for CLF action alerts for more information on joining in the fight for sustainable fisheries.
