National seafood month
The fish on your plate is at stake.
NOAA must double down on rebuilding fisheries and boosting climate resilience.
The fish we eat as seafood feed people around the world, power economies, and serve as the foundation of a healthy ocean. But right now, popular seafood species are facing mounting threats that are jeopardizing our ability to have fresh, abundant food on our plates.
From warming waters to acidification, the climate crisis is fundamentally changing fisheries. At the same time, U.S. fishery management has not kept pace with the ocean’s changing conditions and the impacts on fish populations. In recent years, there has been a concerning increase in the number of stocks declared overfished and in need of rebuilding, and the progress toward the goal of ending unsustainable fishing for good has stalled.
Climate change makes rebuilding overfished stocks more difficult but even more important. Healthy fish stocks are more resilient to climate impacts and can better support fisheries that underpin coastal communities. During National Seafood Month, NOAA has an opportunity to recommit to improving climate resilience and rebuilding key fisheries.
Stock Spotlights
Alaskan Snow Crab
After billions of snow crabs mysteriously vanished off the coast of Alaska, the fishery was shut down two years in a row. The root cause of disappearance was a marine heat wave, which altered the crabs’ food needs and led them to starve to death. As a result, coastal economies struggled and caused disruptions in seafood markets. The collapse of snow crab is a warning and an opportunity to rethink how we manage our marine resources in a rapidly changing climate. As climate change continues to lead to significant warming in the Bering Sea, fishery managers must account for these changes.
Gulf of Mexico Gag Grouper
Gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are important to commercial seafood markets and highly sought after by recreational fishermen. Gag are also highly vulnerable to climate change, and the population is under threat of collapse. Gag was previously considered overfished and declared rebuilt in 2014 after a concerted effort to return the stock to a healthy level. However, the most recent assessment by scientists indicates that the population of gag is too low and the stock is experiencing overfishing. NOAA Fisheries must commit to rebuilding this vital fish stock and provide better tools to help managers adapt to climate impacts.
Pacific Black Cod
Black cod, also known as sablefish, are found in deep waters of the Pacific. Black cod is a mainstay of sustainably managed commercial fisheries on the West Coast. The stock is currently healthy, but as climate and ocean conditions change, black cod’s long-term future is uncertain. Climate change adds to the challenges of managing fisheries, and even fish stocks that experience an increase in abundance as a result of changing environmental conditions need to be well-managed. NOAA must account for climate change now to keep this stock sustainable for years to come.