Media Center

United States Finds Mexico Is Undermining Wildlife Treaty, May Impose Embargo

May 26, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Mexico has failed to halt the illegal wildlife trade threatening the critically endangered vaquita porpoise, diminishing the effectiveness of an international wildlife treaty. Under U.S. law, President Biden must now decide…

Marine Mammal Bycatch in Ecuador’s Fisheries Threatens Access to U.S. Seafood Market

May 10, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

A report released today by conservation and animal protection groups finds that Ecuador’s fishing industry does not meet U.S. standards for limiting whale and dolphin bycatch. As a result, Ecuador may lose access to the U.S. seafood import market for…

U.S. to Decide Whether Mexico's Failure to Protect Vaquita Warrants Embargo

April 10, 2023 Press ReleaseNew York

In a settlement filed in court Friday, the U.S. Department of the Interior agreed to determine whether Mexico has failed to stop illegal fishing and trade of totoaba that is driving the vaquita porpoise’s extinction. The determination could result in…

Biden Administration Issues Visionary Conservation Measures

March 21, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — As part of a larger package of land and ocean conservation measures, the Biden administration today announced the first Ocean Climate Action Plan, which includes a host of initiatives relating to responsible offshore wind, marine protected areas to enhance biodiversity…

Big Wins for Endangered Orcas in Defense Spending Bill

December 15, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The federal government will invest in multiple programs to protect endangered whales as part of a massive spending bill approved this week and signed by President Biden. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes several provisions that…

Tribes, Commercial Fishermen, & Conservation Groups Respond to EPA’s Next Step Towards Protecting Bristol Bay

December 2, 2022 Press ReleaseAlaska

DILLINGHAM, AK — Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its Recommended Determination regarding the Pebble deposit for Bristol Bay. This marks the next step in the process for EPA to stop Pebble Mine by enacting 404(c) Clean Water Act…

Biden Administration Should Strengthen National Marine Sanctuary Protections, Conservation and Faith Groups Say

November 22, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON - Ten conservation and faith-based organizations, consisting of millions of members, are petitioning the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to strengthen the National Marine Sanctuary System, which America’s iconic underwater parks and the species that live in our…

Committee Advances Fisheries Bill to Recognize Climate Impacts for the First Time, Strengthen Resilience for Coastal Communities

September 29, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

Five leading ocean conservation organizations praise Reps. Huffman, Case, and Peltola’s leadership to update U.S. fishing laws

Tribes, Commercial Fishermen, Chefs, Seafood Industry Leaders, Conservation Groups Celebrate Record-Breaking Fishing Season

August 10, 2022 Press ReleaseAlaska

Advocates Double Down, Urge EPA to Finish the Job, End the Threat of Pebble Mine Now

U.S. Leaders Commit to Tackling Illegal Fishing at UN Ocean Conference

July 1, 2022 Press ReleaseInternational

LISBON, PORTUGAL – At the United Nations Ocean Conference this week, the United States made a series of announcements elevating its commitment to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and associated labor abuses.

Biden Administration Five Year Offshore Oil & Gas Plan is “Lose‑Lose”

July 1, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today proposed as many as 11 potential offshore leases for oil and gas companies in public waters in the Gulf of Mexico and possibly Alaska for the…

South Fork Wind and Leading Environmental Organizations Sign Agreement to Further Enhance Protections for North Atlantic Right Whales

June 27, 2022 Press ReleaseEast

BOSTON – South Fork Wind, a joint venture offshore wind project developed by Ørsted and Eversource, announced today it has signed an agreement with leading environmental organizations to further enhance measures designed to protect the North Atlantic right whale during…

Recertification of Lobster Fishery Would Harm Right Whales, Mislead Consumers

June 27, 2022 Press ReleaseEast

NEW YORK – Conservation groups acted today to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale by formally objecting to a determination that the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery should be recertified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability standard…

Congressional Leaders Introduce Bill to Save the North Atlantic Right Whale

February 16, 2022 Press ReleaseEast

Washington – Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) today introduced the “Right Whale Coexistence Act,” formerly known as the SAVE right whales act. This important legislation aims…

U.S. Launches Trade Complaint Over Mexico’s Failure to Protect Vaquita

February 10, 2022 Press ReleaseMexico

WASHINGTON— U.S. Trade Representative Catherine Tai formally requested environmental consultations with Mexico today over its illegal fishing. Aimed at protecting the critically endangered vaquita porpoise, the request is the first step under the enforcement and dispute mechanism of the United…

Restore Essential Ocean Protections in Build Back Better Act

December 16, 2021 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON - Senate negotiators have scrubbed language from the Build Back Better Act that would protect ocean waters, marine life and coastal communities from the risk of offshore oil and gas drilling. The language that was taken out would have…

Deadline Today: Will Nations Lose Access to U.S. Seafood Market?

November 30, 2021 Press ReleaseInternational, United States

WASHINGTON — By today’s deadline, seafood-exporting nations worldwide must have adopted regulations to reduce entanglements of whales, dolphins and seals in fishing gear or face a U.S. import ban.

On Ocean Day at COP26, Blue Leaders Call for Major Ocean Protections

November 5, 2021 Press ReleaseInternational

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – During ocean day at COP26, a broad coalition of government leaders and ocean advocates known as Blue Leaders today called for immediate action by heads of state to protect the world’s vast ocean and its precious biodiversity…

Chefs Call on Congress to End Illegal Fishing, Seafood Fraud, and Human Rights Abuses

October 20, 2021 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON —Today, more than 200 chefs and restaurant owners sent a letter to Congress calling for immediate action to address illegal fishing, seafood fraud, and human rights abuses in the seafood industry. Specifically, the chefs are demanding increased traceability of…

Huntington Beach Disaster is Ugly, Sad Reminder: Offshore Drilling Risks are Real

October 4, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

LOS ANGELES – The massive oil spill off Huntington Beach this weekend tarred and killed birds, fish and other marine life, inundating sensitive wetlands and threatening ecosystems, the community and the local economy. Officials have closed local beaches indefinitely in…