The Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) turned 50 this week, marking a half-century of fisheries management in the United States at a time when new challenges threaten the health of the country’s fisheries and oceans.
Passed in 1976, the law is critical to preventing overfishing and rebuilding overfished stocks, protecting critical habitats and increasing the long-term economic and social benefits of the oceans.
Since the act’s passage, dozens of collapsed U.S. fish populations have rebounded, according to marine advocacy group Oceana. By 2000, more than 50 fish stocks were rebuilt, and hundreds of regionally important stocks — such as Atlantic sea scallops and Pacific widow rockfish — are caught today more responsibly thanks to management measures instituted under the MSA.
This rebound and responsible management of these fisheries is critical to the US economy, Oceana contends. In 2023 alone, US commercial and recreational fishing generated US$319 billion/~€270.4 billion combined in sales and supported nearly 2.1 million jobs.
According to Oceana Vice President Beth Lowell:
“The oceans are better off because of the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. US fisheries were so poorly managed fifty years ago that fish populations were collapsing, and foreign fishing fleets were within sight of our shores. This act is a great example of laws based on science that can allow rebuilding ocean abundance while still supporting a robust fishing industry.”
This year’s 50th anniversary comes amid staff and funding cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency that manages US fisheries. Last year, NOAA lost hundreds of key staff, including biologists, data professionals and other experts essential to implementing the MSA and supporting responsible fisheries management.
More recently, the Trump administration proposed cuts for the 2027 fiscal year of more than $1.5 billion/~€1.3 billion to NOAA, according to Oceana:
“These cuts have the potential to undermine the agency’s ability to function altogether and could send U.S. fisheries management back to where it was 50 years ago. Without the resources to assess fisheries populations, issue annual catch limits, monitor fish catch, develop fishing gear that is less destructive to habitat and wildlife, and other aspects of MSA, our fisheries could decline, threatening the legacy of the MSA and modern fisheries management.”
Lowell added:
“This law supports millions of jobs and generates billions of dollars for our economy. The Trump administration and Congress need to fully fund and support NOAA to ensure it has the resources and staff needed to support science-driven, effective management of our oceans.”
