Groton – The future of sustainable fisheries in New England and U.S. waters will be the topic from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. May 22 at a public forum at the Branford House on the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus.

The forum will focus on what the scientific community recommends for effective policy and governance, and the Magnuson-Stevens Act’s effectiveness. A panel of scientists, fishermen, policy implementers, educators and fisheries advocates will lead the discussion.

With recent stressors to ocean habitats, including rising temperatures, there is now concern of an emerging need to take the entire ecosystem into consideration when managing fisheries. Ecosystem-based management is a new approach that values the importance of healthy forage fish stocks in the food web, reductions of bycatch, and other positive changes to ensure resilient marine habitats.

Admission is free. The forum is sponsored by UConn and Save the Sound, a program of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment.

Those planning to attend should RSVP to Sarah Ganong at: sganong@ctenvironment.org or at (203) 787-0646 extension 128.