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Is aquaculture sustainable? As with so many important questions, the inevitable—often infuriating—answer is, “it depends.”   As the U.S. looks to expand into open ocean aquaculture (usually between 3 and 200 nautical miles off the coast), we have the opportunity to get things right from the start. We can create diverse local jobs, build a more …

The FISH Act will support science and collaboration needed to secure a robust future for U.S. fisheries

This EDF white paper draws conclusions primarily from the escapes of marine finfish farmed in their current natural range or their native ocean basin that would be relevant to marine species and operations expected to be reared in U.S. offshore waters.

A new poll released by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) reveals voters are open to growing more seafood in U.S. waters if it adheres to strong consumer and environmental standards.

A recent poll conducted by Environmental Defense Fund and Global Strategy Group shows that voters overwhelmingly support doing research into aquaculture to understand its benefits and risks and set the appropriate standards.

Authored by Juan Pablo Hoffmaister, Associate Vice President for Global Engagement at Environmental Defense Fund  The international climate community is convening in Bonn, Germany, for the 60th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC this June—and they will set the tone for the next year of global climate engagement. The sessions in Bonn are …

By Daniel Whittle Chronic power outages, food disruptions and climate-related disasters have become commonplace across the Caribbean. But amidst these challenges, there’s room for optimism. Increased funding, growing awareness, supportive policies and community leadership offer an opportunity for rebuilding and strengthening resilience in the Caribbean and small island developing states, or SIDS,  around the world.

“An Ocean of Potential” was the tagline at this year’s Our Ocean conference in Greece on April 15-17. The phrase encompasses the breadth of possibilities that the ocean holds for us. It also encapsulates EDF’s approach to supporting climate-resilient fisheries and oceans. What do we mean when we say that there is “an ocean of …

A community in the Philippines is exploring the major benefits of seaweed farming.

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Chevron. What is it and why could it change how federal regulations are enforced? General Counsel Vickie Patton answers important questions about this bombshell case.

This past August, in southern Ecuador amidst dense mangrove forests, scientists were at work. As I followed in her footsteps, Julie Shahan, a Stanford University Ph.D. student, navigated the challenging terrain, burdened by the large 25-pound piece of equipment on her back. This equipment, a gas analyzer, collects measurements to unlock the secrets of soil …

Boat-mounted sensors being used off the coast of Ghana are helping fishers there deal with dwindling catches from climate change.

By Christopher Cusack (EDF) and Cooper Van Vranken (Ocean Data Network) In the early hours of October 25, 2023, Hurricane Otis made landfall near Acapulco, Mexico, with peak winds of 165 mph wreaking havoc on communities in its path. Normally, people would have had a chance to prepare but just the day before, the consensus …

By Allison Shields (EDF), Catherine Bruger (Ocean Conservancy), and Chris McGuire (The Nature Conservancy) From smartwatches tracking our steps to news alerts on our phones to live traffic updates while driving, data has become central to our daily lives and how we interact with the world. For fishermen traveling miles offshore in search of fish,

Environmental Defense Fund works alongside communities in The Bahamas to co-develop and advance solutions that work for people and nature.

Launched by the World Wildlife Fund, Environmental Defense Fund, and other partners, this first-of-a-kind platform combines data from climate modeling, socioeconomics, and global fisheries to highlight hotspots of potential future ocean conflict.

By Jacqui Vogel (EDF) and Dr. Sarah Glaser (WWF) Oceans are under immense threat from climate change. Around the world, oceanographic changes like melting sea ice, warming waters, sea level rise and shifting fish populations make access to marine resources more uncertain and less secure. Climate change threatens to disrupt the communities, supply chains and …

The world is gathered in Dubai for the 28th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework for Climate Change Convention, otherwise known as COP28. Over a two-week span, government delegations come together to negotiate what actions the world needs to take to achieve a future under 1.5 degrees. This will set the tone …

Extreme weather, driven by climate change, was already hitting these farmers and fishers hard. Then El Niño happened. For the world's food producers, the need for resilience suddenly got 

The approximately 1 billion people who rely on seafood need the world's fishers to adapt to our changing climate.

Mangroves are important for some communities in Ecuador who rely on the crabs that live among the roots to sustain their livelihoods, but the coastal wetland forests are also an important part in fighting climate change.

By Karly Kelso (EDF), Dr. Michelle Tigchelaar (Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions), and Dr. Malin Jonell (Stockholm Resilience Center) This piece was originally published in Swedish here.  The last few years have wrought havoc on the food supply, particularly for the people trapped in the cycle of poverty. COVID, climate change and conflict have disrupted …

Leading Environmental Group Files Amicus Brief in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo

Of all the threats facing the oceans today, overfishing takes the greatest toll on sea life — and people.

This piece is now available on Mongabay. During New York Climate Week, climate leaders will gather together to make essential decisions to mitigate the effects of climate change. It is critical that our oceans are a priority. The ocean is profoundly underfunded, and yet it is absolutely vital to billions of lives around the world …