School of Fish: Federal Fishery Management

On the Line: 50 years of Fishery Management

April 13, 2026 marked the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, or MSA. Meredith Moore, Senior Director of the Fish Conservation Program at Ocean Conservancy, discusses the successes and limitations of the MSA, emphasizing the need for improved rebuilding plans and a stronger commitment to fisheries management. The conversation covers a range of challenges and opportunities in fisheries management, including the need for improved monitoring, the impact of underfunding and understaffing, the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge, the slow pace of technology adoption, and the implications of climate change. It also addresses governance issues, habitat loss, prey species management, and the role of recreational fishing. The conversation emphasizes the need for political will, diverse representation, and public engagement in addressing these issues. Learn more: Ocean Conservancy’s report, Drifting Off Course: Challenges in U.S. Fisheries Management and Charting the Path Forward [https://oceanconservancy.org/work/biodiversity/healthy-fisheries/us-fisheries-challenges/] Fish ON AIR MSA 101 episode [https://fishonair.riverside.com/e/school-of-fish-federal-fishery-management] What do you want to learn next? Send your questions to hello@fishon.us [hello@fishon.us] www.fishon.us [http://www.fishon.us]

School of Fish: Federal Fishery Management

MSA 101: Corey Ridings introduces us to the Magnuson Stevens Act, the primary law for managing fisheries in the United States. We discuss its history, purpose, and impact through the lens of Corey's role on the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The conversation delves into the complexities of fishery management, covering topics such as navigating fishery advisory bodies, the concept of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), and community involvement in fishery decision making. Learn more: Magnuson Stevens Act [https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/laws-policies] Pacific Fishery Management Council [https://www.pcouncil.org/] Council Roster [https://www.pcouncil.org/navigating-the-council/membership-groups-and-staff/council-members/]

On the Line: South Coast MPAs and Laguna Beach

What went into creating California's Network of Marine Protected Areas and what was it like to be a part of the process? Ray Hiemstra takes us through his experience from creation til now---the science, challenges and bargaining that formed our MPAs as we know them, on to this adaptive management process he's waited over 10 years for. This conversation sheds light on the stakeholder process that established the MPAs on the South Coast and lays out a current proposal to expand one of those MPAs off of Laguna Beach. Learn more: Orange County Coastkeeper [https://www.coastkeeper.org/] Support Laguna Beach SMCA expansion [https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-extend-the-laguna-beach-mpa-to-the-city-s-southern-border] Contact Orange County Public Works [https://pw.oc.gov/contact]

On the Line: California's MPA Network

There are many claims about what the science says about California's MPA Network. Dr. Kerry Nickols takes us through what we've learned from the first decade of this world-renowned Marine Protected Area Network, what we don't know, and how we should go forward. The conversation explores the role of MPAs in the context of climate change, the effectiveness of MPAs and the need for data to help decision-making. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities for enhancing the MPA network in California. Kerry's co-authored report on the California MPA Network [https://www.opc.ca.gov/webmaster/_media_library/2023/01/NCEAS_MPA_Report_Final.pdf] Meet Gordita [https://www.instagram.com/p/DRxgE-BEmBV/], Heal the Bay's resident giant black sea bass

On the Line: Pt. Sal

Pt. Sal is a beloved wild space for local community members and visitors alike, many of whom hike the 11-mile round-trip trail to the point and its beaches to gaze upon panoramic vistas, experience land and sea in its natural state, and fish from its undeveloped shores. The Point Sal State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) proposal is co-sponsored by the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, and seeks to enhance Tribal co-stewardship of our coastal waters. Veronica Mendoza helps us understand the significance and opportunity of protecting, and respecting, this special place. Support Pt. Sal SMCA [https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/1OjJ_ca41ROwQqTI29nugDScEnN7sfF-uejkg5psoXiE/viewform?edit_requested=true] Sign-up for MPA meetings [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJOUYzGItWHpsB48rI8QAVbouoBr1NtQxe_IoyqycfZVcAJw/viewform?usp=dialog] on May 5th and 6th About the Northern Chumash Tribal Council [https://northernchumash.org/]