Some of the last drift gillnet fishers in the world capture swordfish off the coast of California. But their days may be numbered as lawmakers seek to phase the nets out.
Using historical data and estimates from deep-sea trawls that drag nets along the ocean floor, researchers estimate that millions of tons of catch have gone unreported in the last 50 years.
New England fishers say it's been decades since they've hauled in so many tuna, and some in the industry are urging higher quotas. But some environmental groups fear the population is still imperiled.
The fish were nearly wiped out from the Gulf 20 or 30 years ago, so the catch is closely regulated. A Trump administration deal to extend the recreational season has prompted cheers – and concerns.
Catch shares allot fishermen a portion of the catch in advance, in hopes of keeping them from racing each other to sea, sometimes in risky climes. They're controversial. They also work, a study finds.
A trawling experiment in the Gulf of Maine aims to scoop up abundant and profitable flatfish, while bypassing the once plentiful but now depleted cod population. So far, the results are promising.
Ray Hilborn has a reputation for challenging studies showing declines in fish populations. But Greenpeace says its public records request has revealed a failure to disclose industry funding on papers.
Demand for sardines and other small species has exploded, with many being used as feed for livestock and fish farming. New rules aim to protect these species from overfishing off the U.S. West Coast.
A study suggests Atlantic bluefin, prized for its buttery flesh, may breed younger, and in more places, than once thought — and it may be time to rethink fishing quotas. Not so fast, critics argue.
Atlantic cod have become scarce along the coast, though catch limits have been reduced by 80 percent. Researchers are now tracking the sound of mating cod, hoping to help fishing boats avoid them.
