The new monitoring station is located in a river where threatened species of Chinook salmon and steelhead migrate through from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. The new data that will be collected is essential in monitoring the species numbers and help with conservation efforts. The California Department of Water Resources will be able to more accurately record the timing, number, species, and origin of the fish swimming through. The station is located near the bottom of the low flow channel, a location that has a perfect water temperature and gravely bottom for spawning. They set up motion detecting cameras in order to observe the fish and record data about them. 

I think that this is a really great idea as long as it doesn’t disrupt the ecosystem, but it most likely does not since the organization is trying to help the fish. The article also mentioned that the reason they are moving to a new location to view the fish is that the fish have changed their spawning area after the construction of the Oroville Dam. Dams are super harmful to wildlife and fish migration, but it’s good that the animals were able to adapt to the disruption. I hope that the CDWR will be able to help the fish even more with the data they collect.

A new Dungeness crab fishery is set to open in January despite issues with equipment entanglement, crab meat quality issues, and elevated levels of domoic acid. The fishery is set to open in the California and Oregon state border, to the southern boundary of the Redding Rock State Marine protected Areas, and Cape Mendocino. One area was put on pause due to high levels of domoic acid, but it was recently ruled as safe for public consumption and will be opening soon. Domoic acid is a naturally occurring bio toxin that is produced by a certain species of algae. 

It seems unnecessary to open a new section of waters to crabbing since there are already so many issues relating to whale entanglements and a harm to marine ecosystems and life. Fishermen are already doing alright with the amount of sea available, so there isn’t really an economic reason to open up more fisheries. It will just have a negative impact on the ocean’s ecosystem and cause more damage to the planet.

California is testing forms of pop-up netting and gear to stop them from catching whales in crab equipment. The tests have been really successful and the gear is easily enforceable. The alternative gear types have been tested all over the country, but California’s dungeness crab pilot program is the largest experiment. The gear is affordable and reliable, and it is just awaiting authorization to be used in commercial crabbing. The tests reported a gear loss of just 0.2%, despite having to carry even more gear on boats. The gear is supposed to be approved before Spring 2026. 

I think that the new forms of gear are a great solution because it balances the wellbeing of animals with the economic necessities of fishermen. It is a way more sustainable because there isn’t any gear loss that damages ecosystems, and it doesn’t trap whales and other animals in the netting. I also think the current solution works well because it just leads to less fishing and more time for ecosystems to rebalance, but that can be damaging to the livelihoods of fishermen. Overall, I think that the new technologies are beneficial.

California delayed the start of the crabbing season by several months in order to stop whales and sea turtles from getting tangled in fishing gear. The delay is difficult for ports and fishing communities, but this decision was supported given the current risk assessment. The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association is working heavily with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure that whales and turtles are not being harmed by fishing. In 2024, 36 whales were found tangled in fishing gear, and 31 were humpbacks, which is a staggering amount. As of October 2025, four humpbacks were found in fishing gear. The collaboration of the PCFFA and the CDFW is essential in protecting these endangered species.

Taking this issue seriously is really important because of the amount of whales that were killed in 2024. I’m really glad that these organizations are taking the issue seriously even though it is damaging to the economy and fishing ports. The article also discussed that they are trying to find solutions to gear that doesn’t catch humpbacks and turtles, which would be a great solution to the issue of animals getting caught and fishermen struggling economically.

The National Marine Fisheries Service opened all-depth fishing for several species of rockfish after data revealed that they weren’t endangered. In December of 2023, data reported that quillbacked rockfish were overfished, so regulations like depth constraints were placed to prevent them from becoming endangered. A new data report showed that the rockfish are not endangered and likely never were, the previous data was just limited and made it look that way. Data shows that quillback rockfish stock is currently above its proxy for maximum sustainable yield, so regulations are being dropped and fishing is available to all depths.

It’s really great that the fisheries service is paying attention to the amount of fish and placing regulations in order to protect the species. Although it would be better if they were trying to wean out of fishing altogether, it is an important part of the economy and many people rely on it to support their families. It’s hard to say how many people are respecting the regulations being made, but it’s still important that fishery management and fish data is being taken seriously, and that people are monitoring fish to make sure that species continue to exist and are being fished sustainably.

McKeever, A., National Geographic Staff. (2025, September 17th.) Overfishing threatens the world’s oceans—but there may be hope. National Geographic.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/critical-issues-overfishing

This article in late 2025 from National Geographic talks about the causes, impacts, and some solutions to the overfishing problem throughout the world. Specifically it explains how increase in demand, and weak regulations have caused many fish populations to decrease beyond a sustainable population. Overall showing environmental and economic consequences which leads to loss of biodiversity and food security. The possible solutions it brings up is having marine protected areas, limits on catching fish, and more global cooperation for better regulations like the WTO ban. The article also has some data about specific regions like China. 

The article ties into environmental science because it explains how overfishing disrupts the marine ecosystem. I think it does a good job at summarizing the issues because it connects to a lot of sections in environmental science like economics and policies. My reaction to this article was that the problem of overfishing and fisheries is very complex. There’s lots of solutions that should be implemented to help restore the health of the ocean and its inhabitants, especially for future generations.

Associated Press. (2025, September 16th.) WTO global agreement aimed at reducing overfishing takes effect 3 years after its adoption. PBS News. 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/wto-global-agreement-aimed-at-reducing-overfishing-takes-effect-3-years-after-its-adoption

This article in September 2025 talks about a World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement that was made to protect fish stocks and coastal needs. Especially focusing on sustainability and responsible fishing in the area. The agreement wants to reduce overfishing, lower illegal fishing, and support sustainable fishing management while also keeping up the economic benefits of having these fishing communities. This goes for all around the world so countries who agreed are to enforce better international cooperation on fisheries management / governance. Additionally advocates also state that this pact is a good shift towards protecting the environment with economic stability in mind. Overall it’s seen as a good milestone in global policy. 

This article connects to environmental science because it talks about how humans’ economic system is negatively impacting the ocean, and we need to find ways to keep it sustainable. Especially when it comes to governments subsidizing fishing without paying attention to the economic harms. I think reading this article made me think there’s some hope in saving the environment because it shows that these countries’ interests are in sync with protecting the environment. It also shows how environment science helps keep policy decisions in check if we want our ocean to remain healthy. 

Hutchins, R. (2025, May 5th.) Global fisheries bodies ‘falling short’ ahead of High Seas Treaty. Oceanographic Magazine. 

https://oceanographicmagazine.com/news/global-fisheries-bodies-falling-short-ahead-of-high-seas-treaty/

This article in December 2025 talks about the Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMOs) which is responsible for managing fishing in large parts of the world’s open ocean. However, they aren’t properly conserving and being environmentally friendly. According to the article, more than half of the global fish stock is overexploited even with scientific advice and some regulations. That’s what leads to the UN High Seas Treaty which is aiming to create a stronger legal framework for conservation in the sea and how to go about implementing such. Overall the article shows RFMO is undermining the importance of conservation in international waters.

This article directly dies into environmental science because it shows how governance failure is directly affecting the marine ecosystem and biodiversity. The health of the ocean, especially open ocean, can influence carbon cycling, food security, and overall ecological health. I think that this article poses a very serious threat about how even with science saying one thing, political and institutional blockages will always be in the way from potentially implementing solutions. Which means that these solutions need to address not only the environmental impacts but political as well. 

Toto E. (2025, November 12th.) West Africa’s oceans get $68 million lifeline amid fisheries decline. Mongabay. 

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/11/west-africas-oceans-get-68-million-lifeline-amid-fisheries-decline/

This article in November 2025 talks about how multiple international organizations announced a 68 million dollar funding to help fisheries and marine ecosystem restoration in West Africa. This region has apparently had bad declines in fish populations due to overfishing, illegal fishing, and ecological damages due to climate change. This funding will help support training local fishers, monitoring programs, and developing sustainable fishing practices. Once again it also wants to focus on enforcing reports against illegal and unregulated fishing, which is what is contributing to the decline in fish population. Overall it shows international investments in developing and maintaining sustainable fisheries. 

This article connects back to environmental science because it shows how ecosystem health impacts human economic systems. This is shown because the decline in fish population affects both the marine biodiversity and west African communities that depend on those fish for food and income. I think the funding will be worth the effort because it encourages sustainable fishing. It also means that international people are recognizing the importance of sustainable fishing, which shows that environmental solutions must tie into social / economic support for certain communities. 

Associated Press. (2025, September 15th.) Long-wrought WTO agreement aimed at reducing overfishing takes effect. AP News.

In September of 2025, the World Trade Organization made an agreement to reduce the harmful fishing subsides, and it finally came into effect after more than 3 years of negotiations. Basically the agreement is having the governments limit / reduce government subsides that are contributing to the overfishing, illegal fishing, or overcapacity of fishing fleets. This applied to over 110 countries. It focuses on subsidies that were pushing fish populations beyond what was sustainable. So here through lowering financial incentives for fishing too much, the WTO agreement is giving the population time to recover. This is good because the agreement is focused on environmental sustainability and ocean protection even with human economies at stake.

This article is connected to environmental science because it concerns a major drive of overfishing. These government subsidies were making more unsustainable fishing habits that were economically beneficial. Overfishing is known to ecologically damage the religion so through this going through, it shows that nations are recognizing environmental limits. However at the same time enforcement might be hard to manage and following up after  awhile might be difficult since this is such a large implement they’re trying to achieve.