Office of Sustainable Fisheries

Highly Migratory Species | Domestic Fisheries | Regulatory Services | Partnerships and Communications | Seafood Inspection

NOAA Fisheries Office of Sustainable Fisheries

The Office of Sustainable Fisheries (OSF) is a Headquarters program office of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS or NOAA Fisheries Service). OSF works to manage fish stocks important to commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries through guidance and support of Regional Offices and Regional Fishery Management Councils (RFMC). OSF also strives to facilitate effective communication between and among constituents and supports a variety of seafood safety measures.

Fisheries Management

OSF helps to implement the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (MSA), which:

•	Mandates the use of annual catch limits and accountability measures to end overfishing
•	Provides for widespread market-based fishery management through catch shares, and
•	Calls for increased international cooperation

Also, OSF coordinates the NMFS annual report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries, as well as the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP). OSF also directly manages Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fisheries.

Guidance

OSF provides oversight and advice to Regional Fishery Management Councils (RFMC)and the NMFS Regional Offices by:

•	Developing guidance on Council operations and administration
•	Overseeing the clearance of regulatory actions
•	Providing guidance with respect to social impacts of management programs and social impact assessments

OSF also oversees all document processing, including proposed and final regulations, for publication in the Federal Register, and prepares Social Science Guidelines.

Partnerships

OSF partners with state and federal agencies to provide communication avenues among our constituents and Councils. OSF provides national policy and oversight for NMFS interactions with coastal states and island territories, Interstate Marine Fisheries Commissions (IMFC), and national groups. OSF works to increase communication and understanding between the agency, our constituents and the general public.

Safe and Sound Seafood Decisions

The National Seafood Inspection Laboratory (NISL) in Pascagoula, MS, is also a part of OSF, where it supports the Department of Commerce Seafood Inspection Program.

Be sure to check out FishWatch, a consumer guide that provides the most accurate and up-to-date information on all seafood available in the United States. Our FishWatch website was designed to help you make informed decisions about the seafood you eat.

Contact: Sustainable Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | NOAA