On the Line: 50 years of Fishery Management

April 13, 2026 marked the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, or MSA. Meredith Moore, Senior Director of the Fish Conservation Program at Ocean Conservancy, discusses the successes and limitations of the MSA, emphasizing the need for improved rebuilding plans and a stronger commitment to fisheries management. The conversation covers a range of challenges and opportunities in fisheries management, including the need for improved monitoring, the impact of underfunding and understaffing, the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge, the slow pace of technology adoption, and the implications of climate change. It also addresses governance issues, habitat loss, prey species management, and the role of recreational fishing. The conversation emphasizes the need for political will, diverse representation, and public engagement in addressing these issues.Learn more:Ocean Conservancy’s report, Drifting Off Course: Challenges in U.S. Fisheries Management and Charting the Path Forward Fish ON AIR MSA 101 episodeWhat do you want to learn next? Send your questions to [email protected]