NCMC Action Items - Alerts, Upcoming Meetings, Agency & Congress Contact Information for helping protect swordfish, marlin, tuna, sharks, herring, menhaden and other ocean fish

We alert you to upcoming meetings where key decisions will be made affecting the future of our fisheries, and provide the names and addresses of policy-makers you can contact to voice your opinions and concerns.

In addition, please visit our Membership page to join the NCMC and help support our efforts on behalf of the fish.

ACTION ALERT

8/08 Tell NMFS to Oppose West Coast High Seas Longline Fishery. Comments due September 8, 2008.

7/08 Please ask your senators for their support of the Shark Conservation Act, S. 3231.

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Learn more about our Forage First campaign, which focuses on conserving prey fish such as krill, squid, herring and sardines.

Read more about our Bring Back the Big Fish program and how you can help protect swordfish, marlin, sharks and tuna.

Keep informed of our efforts to "Save the Stripers" by protecting menhaden, one of the stripers' primary prey items.

Join our free EMAIL ACTION NETWORK. Keep up to date on fisheries issues that interest you, and receive occasional action alerts to learn how you can help. Learn more!

Regulations affecting fishing activities and the conservation of fish populations in federal waters of the ocean, from 3-200 miles offshore, are the joint responsibility of the Regional Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries (formerly the National Marine Fisheries Service or NMFS). In most cases, the regulations are prepared by the councils and reviewed/approved by NOAA Fisheries. The exception is highly migratory species – sharks, tuna, swordfish and billfish – in the Atlantic, for which NOAA Fisheries is the sole US authority. The Councils must hold public hearings on proposed management measures to receive input from fishermen, conservationists, and other interested members of the public. NOAA Fisheries must notify the public of their intent to implement approved regulations. Be sure to check our list of upcoming meetings periodically -- meetings are open to the public. We encourage you to attend and speak up for the fish!

We've provided a list of NOAA Fisheries and fishery management council offices with mailing address, phone, fax numbers and online addresses. We've also added contact information for Congress, and how you can locate information on a particular bill. We encourage you to contact the fishery management council and NOAA Fisheries office in your area and ask them to place you on their mailing list to receive notice of proposed actions and public meetings. Also, you should keep them apprised of information or events which could impact fishing or the health of fish populations where you live.