The Office of Sustainable Fisheries is a headquarters program office of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), also known as NOAA Fisheries. The Office was created to oversee and implement steps required to meet the objectives of the NOAA Fisheries Strategic Plan, which contains the following objectives:

• Maintain healthy stocks important to commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries.
• Eliminate overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks important to commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries.
• Increase long-term economic and social benefits to the nation from living marine resources.

Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorized in 2007

On January 12, 2007, President Bush signed the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006. The new law mandates the use of annual catch limits and accountability measures to end overfishing, provides for widespread market-based fishery management through limited access programs, and calls for increased international cooperation.

• Find out more about the amendments, a list of the Agency's implementation activities, and opportunities for public participation - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act

News and Events

2008 Status of U.S. Fisheries Third Quarter Updates

• 2007 Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress

2007 Report to Congress on Apportionment of Membership of Regional Fishery Management Councils

2007 Report to Congress on Financial Interest and Recusal Requirements

NOAA Develops Seafood Consumer Guide

NOAA Fisheries Service 2006 Business Report

National Artificial Reef Plan (Feb 2007) - This document describes guidelines for the siting, construction, and development of artificial reefs.

Cyberfish - Questions about NOAA Fisheries Service?