How Tackling Ghost Gear Can Help Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change

In October 2021, I had the honor of joining world leaders, activists and other representatives from non-governmental organizations in Glasgow for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP26). The ce...

BLOG FisheriesScience April 12, 2022

How Tackling Ghost Gear Can Help Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change

Tuna are well-known and well-liked fish, but how much do you really know about them? Here are four true or false questions to test your tuna trivia knowledge. True or False: There are five known species of tuna FALSE. Ta...

BLOG FisheriesUncategorized March 17, 2022

True or False: Tuna Edition

Known in some parts of the world as broadbills, swordfish (Xiphias gladius) are among the fastest and most powerful predatory fish in our ocean. Their iconic bills are literally like swords—long, flat and pointy, with a...

BLOG ArcticScience March 3, 2022

Things You Didn’t Know About Swordfish

Many marine animals, including whales and dolphins, depend on sound to navigate through the ocean, find prey, hide from predators and communicate with each other. For this reason, noise from ships and other sources such...

BLOG FisheriesUncategorized February 16, 2022

Reducing Underwater Noise from Ships

This blog was written by Michele Robinson, advisor to Ocean Conservancy on achieving priority fish conservation and ecosystem goals on the West Coast. As a former state ocean policy manager, Michele represented the State...

BLOG FisheriesGhost GearPlastics February 15, 2022

Students of Sablefish

Since Mexico is one of 15 countries with the largest marine and coastal areas, it’s not surprising to learn that the presence of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) exists in Mexican waters. Also...

BLOG ArcticPolicy February 11, 2022

Tackling Ghost Gear in Mexico Waters

UPDATE! On January 27, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia canceled the most recent offshore oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. The court determined the Department of the Interior’s envi...

BLOG ArcticUncategorized December 15, 2021

Offshore Oil and Gas and the Biden Administration

Beluga whales, sometimes called sea canaries for the frequent and wide range of sounds they make, are known around the world as a symbol of the Arctic. In many Arctic communities, belugas provide food as well as a connec...

BLOG FisheriesPlastics December 7, 2021

Celebrating Indigenous Stewardship of Beluga Whales

This blog was written by Natalie MacDonald, 2021’s Joanna Toole Intern. From Reading, Massachusetts, Natalie recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in Marine Affairs and a minor in Environment...

BLOG FisheriesPlasticsUncategorized December 2, 2021

Welcome New Joanna Toole Intern, Natalie MacDonald

It is impossible to think of Maine without thinking of lobster. The fishery contributes an estimated $1.5 million to the state’s economy each year and makes up more than 80% of all lobster caught in the United States. Be...