Oceanography | Marine Science and Ocean Stories

From Collapse to Comeback: How Sustainable Fisheries Are Built

August 11, 2026·33 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Not long ago, the race to catch fish was pushing some U.S. fisheries toward collapse. Fishing seasons became shorter, boats went out in dangerous conditions, and fishermen, scientists, regulators, and conservationists often saw one another as enemies. So how did they begin working together?Amanda Leland, executive director of Environmental Defense Fund and co-author of Sea Change, tells the story of the unlikely coalition that helped transform American fisheries management. Using Gulf red snapper as a case study, she explains how catch shares helped replace the race to fish with a system that gave fishermen greater flexibility and a direct stake in healthier fish populations. The conversation explores science, monitoring, livelihoods, trust, and the early mistakes that shaped better programs, offering a hopeful but hard-won lesson: lasting ocean conservation often begins by working with the people who depend on the resource most.Support our science communication directly by donating to Pine Forest Media or directly on PayPalEpisode Guests: Amanda LealandConnect with Amanda Lealand on LinkedInFind Amanda’s Book, Sea ChangeLearn more about the work of the Environmental Defense FundListen to Pine Forest Media’s NEWEST PODCAST GREEN FREQUENCYEpisode Transcript  and more information on the Pine Forest Media websiteFollow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmediaHosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese Cover art by Jomiro EmingTheme music by Nela RuizFind some more Pine Forest Media podcasts belowListen to Plastic Podcast on Spotify or Apple PodcastsListen to South Pole on Spotify or Apple PodcastsListen to Something in the Water on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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