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MSA 50th Anniversary Briefing Series: Data, Science, and Surveys

U.S. marine fisheries contribute $319 billion to the U.S. economy in sales, support 2.1 million jobs, provide food and recreational opportunities, and sustain subsistence and Tribal cultures and practices. As 2026 is the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), Ocean Conservancy and the Oceans Caucus Foundation are organizing a series of briefings highlighting key successes and current challenges for U.S. fisheries.

For the second briefing in the series, the spotlight is turning to the world-class fishery data, science, and survey enterprise developed over the decades at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in partnership with state, local, Tribal, and academic partners.

Expert panelists will share their perspectives about fisheries data and science, touching on several topics: what data are needed to maintain effective and efficient management; opportunities to improve data collection and analysis; the co-production and use of Indigenous Knowledge in fisheries; unique data challenges for recreational fisheries; and potential new innovations in methods and tools.

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Event Details

When

4PM-5PM
Tuesday, July 21^st, 2026

Where

Senate Commerce Committee Room Room 253
Russell Senate Office Building
2 Constitution Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002

PANELISTS

Dr. Luiz Barbieri, Section Leader of Marine Fisheries Research, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Dr. Courtney Carothers, Professor, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Aubrey Church, Policy Director, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance

Dr. Steve Murawski, Professor and St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Peter R. Betzer Endowed Chair, University of South Florida

Dr. Cisco Werner, Sant Chair for Marine Science, Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History