Category: Policy

The Trump Administration’s latest attack on endangered species

Posted on By Ali Gaster No Comments on The Trump Administration’s latest attack on endangered species
Conservation, News, Policy, Science

NOAA’s new seafood roadmap increases the threat to endangered whales There has long been a tension between commercial fisheries and marine conservation. But a new directive out of NOAA Fisheries indicates that the scales aren’t just tipping; they are being actively flipped over by the Trump Administration. On September 2, 2026, NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator … Read More “The Trump Administration’s latest attack on endangered species” »

5 things I learned helping to reassess the global conservation status of every species of tuna and billfish

Posted on By David Shiffman No Comments on 5 things I learned helping to reassess the global conservation status of every species of tuna and billfish
Conservation, Featured, Policy

One of my first part-time positions as an ocean conservation policy consultant was working for the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Tuna and Billfish Specialist Group. Our task was to update the IUCN Red List conservation assessments for all the different species of tuna and billfish on Earth. This job, a perfect introduction to working at … Read More “5 things I learned helping to reassess the global conservation status of every species of tuna and billfish” »

The Trump Administration’s latest attack on the Endangered Species Act

Posted on By Ali Gaster
Conservation, Policy, Science

There are three ways to destroy an environmental law. You can repeal it. You can withhold funds to enact or enforce the law. Or you can keep the law on the books, but rewrite the machinery that makes it work (i.e., you can sabotage it). Over the course of two weeks, the U.S. Fish and … Read More “The Trump Administration’s latest attack on the Endangered Species Act” »

How to help protect the deep sea in the Marianas and American Samoa today

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Conservation, Featured, News, Policy

Deep sea mining lease sales are scheduled to take place in American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands in November and December, respectively.  The Trump administration has advanced a rushed and secretive process in both U.S. territories with limited public participation. Thankfully the United States is still a democracy and the First Amendment guarantees us … Read More “How to help protect the deep sea in the Marianas and American Samoa today” »

Trump Administration Advances Mariana Trench Offshore Mineral Leasing Process

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Conservation, Featured, News, Policy

Yesterday the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management ignored the voices of 60,000 public comments and issued a proposed leasing notice for the seabed surrounding the Mariana Trench. This is a key step in selling off 69 million acres of the American seafloor to the mining industry, an area about the size of Nevada. A new … Read More “Trump Administration Advances Mariana Trench Offshore Mineral Leasing Process” »

Ten very bad, no good things the latest Trump Administration has done to the oceans

Posted on By Ali Gaster
Conservation, Policy, Uncategorized

The last 18 months have been an absolute nightmare for U.S. ocean and conservation policy. But here are the top ten worst things (in no particular order) this administration has done to marine conservation. 1. Opening Papahānaumokuākea to fishing In June 2026, a sweeping executive proclamation tore down commercial fishing bans in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine … Read More “Ten very bad, no good things the latest Trump Administration has done to the oceans” »

Emergency room conservation: why waiting for the Endangered Species Act to save a species is a fiscal disaster

Posted on By Ali Gaster
Conservation, Policy, Science

Let’s talk about a pervasive zombie idea (a disproven idea that refuses to die) that continues to shamble through the halls of resource management. This is the belief that we shouldn’t spend money on conservation until a species is officially, legally designated as Threatened or Endangered. The logic behind this delay usually wears a suit … Read More “Emergency room conservation: why waiting for the Endangered Species Act to save a species is a fiscal disaster” »

Is Academic Publishing is breaking conservation science?

Posted on By Chris Parsons
Academic life, Blogging, Conservation, Policy, Science

Let’s be honest: if you are working in conservation, you have probably stared down a peer-review nightmare that made you want to throw your laptop into ocean. We’ve all been told the same myth since undergrad: do the science; write the paper; pass the peer-review gauntlet; and magically you’ve saved the planet. The peer-reviewed paper … Read More “Is Academic Publishing is breaking conservation science?” »

Please Help This Little Dumbo Octopus Travel Across America

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez 1 Comment on Please Help This Little Dumbo Octopus Travel Across America
Climate change, Education, Featured, Policy

A small, friendly Dumbo Octopus named Miss Abyss is currently traveling across the United States, and she needs your help.  Miss Abyss carries a message of urgent importance for the future of our oceans. As she makes her journey, she is gathering allies from every corner of the country to oppose the looming threat of … Read More “Please Help This Little Dumbo Octopus Travel Across America” »