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Commercial fishing that recently resumed in a vast protected area of the Pacific Ocean must halt once again, after a judge in Hawaii sided this week with environmentalists challenging a Trump administration rollback of federal ocean protections. The remote Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument is home to turtles, marine mammals and seabirds, which environmental groups say will get snagged by longline fishing, an industrial method involving baited hooks from lines 60 miles (about 100 kilometers) or longer. President Donald Trump’s executive order to allow this and other types of commercial fishing in part of the monument changed regulations without providing a process for public comment and rulemaking and stripped core protections from the monument, the groups argued in a lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Micah W. J. Smith granted a motion by the environmentalists on Friday. The ruling means boats catching fish for sale will need to immediately cease fishing in waters between 50 and 200 nautical miles (93 kilometers to 370 kilometers) around Johnston Atoll, Jarvis Island and Wake Island, said Earthjustice, an environmental law organization representing the plaintiffs. U.S. Justice Department attorneys representing the government did not immediately return an email message seeking comment on Saturday. Trump has said the U.S. should be the worlds dominant seafood leader, and on the same day of his April executive order, he issued another one seeking to boost commercial fishing by peeling back regulations and opening up harvesting in previously protected areas. President George W. Bush created the marine monument in 2009. It consists of about 500,000 square miles (1.3 million square kilometers) in the remote central Pacific Ocean southwest of Hawaii. President Barack Obama expanded it in 2014. Soon after Trump’s executive order, the National Marine Fisheries Service sent a letter to fishing permit holders giving them the green light to fish commercially in the monument’s boundaries, Earthjustice’s lawsuit says. Fishing resumed within days, the group said. Government attorneys say the fisheries services letter merely notified commercial fishers of a change that had already taken place through Trumps authority to remove the prohibition on commercial fishing in certain areas. Earthjustice challenged that letter, and by granting the motion in their favor, the federal judge found the government had chosen not to defend its letter on the merits and forfeited that argument. Smith also ruled against the government’s other defenses, that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the letter and that the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter. David Henkin, an Earthjustice attorney, said Smith’s ruling requires the government to go through a process to determine what kind of fishing, and under what conditions, can happen in monument waters in a way that wouldn’t destroy the area. Members of Hawaiis longline fishing industry say they have made numerous gear adjustments and changes over the years, such as circle hooks, to avoid that. The lawsuit says allowing commercial fishing in the monument expansion would also harm the cultural, spiritual, religious, subsistence, educational, recreational, and aesthetic interests of a group of Native Hawaiian plaintiffs who are connected genealogically to the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific. Jennifer Sinco Kelleher and Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press
Category:
E-Commerce
There’s a war brewing in the world of AI agents. After declaring a month ago that it would block AI crawlers by default on its network, Cloudflare openly accused Perplexity of deliberately bypassing internet standards to scrape websites. It published a detailed blog post, explaining how, even if its bots were blocked, Perplexity would use certain tacticsincluding third-party crawlersto access those websites anyway. Perplexity responded swiftly with its own post, pointing out that its use of third-party crawlers was actually significantly less than Cloudflare was saying. But the crux of Perplexity’s rebuttal was that Cloudflare fundamentally misunderstood its bot activity: because its agent bots act on behalf of specific user requestsand not crawling the web generallyPerplexity believes they should be able to access anything its human operator could. This divide gets right at the heart of how the AI internet works, and settling on a standard will be crucial to how agents, the media industry, and information retrieval in general will evolve. Notably, Perplexity didn’t deny that its agent bots bypass the Robots Exclusion Protocol (known as robots.txt) to access contentit instead said that behavior was justified: If you wouldn’t deny the content to a person, you should also provide it to a bot acting on behalf of that person. {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/mediacopilot-logo-ss.png","headline":"Media CoPilot","description":"Want more about how AI is changing media? Never miss an update from Pete Pachal by signing up for Media CoPilot. To learn more visit mediacopilot.substack.com","substackDomain":"https:\/\/mediacopilot.substack.com\/","colorTheme":"blue","redirectUrl":""}} On the web, nobody knows you’re a bot There are some nuanced but important aspects to this: Agent bots are different from AI training bots or search crawlers. They don’t scrape data to either train AI models or for a general search index. These bots go out and get data directly in response to a user query. When you, say, ask a chatbot what the hours are for your hairdresser, it sends a bot to go check the website right then and there. Once the data is delivered, it’s not stored in a general database, Perplexity says. As a user of AI, the difference isn’t obvious. When you ask a chatbot for any particular piece of information, it’s often not clear which parts of the answer are based on training data, search indexing, or agent activity. You just expect it to work, and to give you the best available information. A lot of the time, that means checking in real time with an external source, a trend that points toward a surge in AI bot activity as everyone starts sending agents to do their browsing for them. For agent-based web browsing to work, agents will need to have the same kind of access to the web that humans do. The problem, as I’ve articulated before, is that agents aren’t humans. A person visiting a website can be enticed by advertising, calls to action, or other content. Much of the economics of the web depends on this basic fact. Think about Google search results: What if you program agents to simply ignore all links marked “Sponsored”? Now, imagine if half of all web searches currently done by humans are performed by agents. You think Google might care? Until very recently, the web has run on human attention. But that is already shifting: Thanks to generative AI, more than half of web activity is now automated, according to Imperva, and that will certainly increase now that consumer agents like Perplexity’s Comet browser and ChatGPT Agent have arrived. The convenience of agent browsing is a game-changer: I’ve personally been using Comet for less than a month and it’s now my default browser. I routinely ask its built-in Assistant to perform tasks in the background. The more I use it, the more it’s difficult to deny that agents will be the future of the web. That is, as long as they can access it. And there’s good reason to deny them access, especially if your business model relies on humans interacting with your contenti.e. the entire media industry. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince, in responding to discussion about the issue on X, seemed to say that blocking AI browsers like Comet is on the table, since they further blur the line between agent and user. The divided internet The question the Perplexity-Cloudflare conflict forces us to answer is: Who should have final say over access? Should a website be able to block user agents if they desire? Or should a person be able to send an agent on their behalf, and expect it to have the same level of access? A lot hinges on the answer to this. If users can employ agents as an unhindered proxy for their own browsing, as Perplexity defends, that’s sure to accelerate the shift to the internet of bots, and websites will need to contend with far fewer human visitors. A fairly reasonable assumption is it would also lead to a large expansion of hard paywalls as site owners seek to lock off or monetize access. Team Cloudflare, however, would prefer that sites have the ability to block agents specifically, bifurcating the experience between humans and bots, and the economics along with it. Charging bots to access content is a rapidly growing space, fueling a set of startups (including TollBit and ScalePost) as well as Cloudflare’s own Pay Per Crawl program. Although user agents aren’t the only type of bot, they might end up being the largest category, especially if AI browsers become popular. Ironically, it’s Perplexity who might have the best business model to deal with this future. The Perplexity Publishers’ Program, which shares ad revenue with content partners, is more scalable than signing individual deals with media companies, as OpenAI has done. The program is nascent, but if Perplexity could make it both available to any content creator and self-servesimiar to YouTube’s Partner Programperhaps it could provide the rails for monetizing the activity of agents. Either way, the economy of the web is going to be remade. We can see that the future is agents, but how the future sees them is a question that needs to be answered. And for the media, it might even be the most important one. {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/mediacopilot-logo-ss.png","headline":"Media CoPilot","description":"Want more about how AI is changing media? Never miss an update from Pete Pachal by signing up for Media CoPilot. To learn more visit mediacopilot.substack.com","substackDomain":"https:\/\/mediacopilot.substack.com\/","colorTheme":"blue","redirectUrl":""}}
Category:
E-Commerce
Have you ever thought about starting a business? Maybe youve got an amazing idea that you just have to bring to the world. Or, maybe youre tired of working for others, and want the freedom and control that comes with working for yourself. Whatever your situation, theres one thing you should know: Building and growing a business is hard work. But doing so is much easier when you have a template or system that walks you through it all. Below is a simple, step-by-step guide to help you start your business. You dont have to follow these steps in exact order, and you may not even need some of them at all. But this guide should give you all the basics you need to get your product or services on the market, and a solid foundation you can build upon. So, here we go. Identify a problem that needs a solution Everyone needs help. Whats something you love to do and would enjoy helping others get better at? Do you enjoy technology? Are you a great communicator? Do you make pottery? As you encounter problems doing your thing, think about how you could share solutions with others. Alternatively, you could simply be observant. Maybe you see other business owners, or even family and friends, who all have the same problem. Think about how you can solve that problem. Start small Starting a business is hard. It might take a while to make enough money to support you or your family. So, if youre already employed, consider starting your business on the side. A side hustle can be a great way to practice, hone your craft, and experiment before you go all in. You could work a bit in the evening, on the weekend, or on your day off. Consider it your hobby. On the other hand, you might be forced into working for yourself. If thats the case, give it your all and dont look back. Find more customers Once youve exhausted your current network (friends, family, current or former colleagues), youll need to find more customers. Talk to anyone and everyone about your new business. You dont have to sell; just share what youre doing. If youve focused on solving a real-world problem, some of the people you share with will have that problemor, know someone who does. In the beginning, consider working for free. You can tell the potential client or customer youre doing this for a limited time to help refresh your portfolio. Also consider reaching out to others who work in a similar industry and ask for advice. Of course, you dont want them to view you as competition. Depending on what youre offering, you might focus on people in a different geographical area, or in a slightly different niche. Or, if the niche or industry you work with is large enough, you can offer to take on work from bigger players who are maxed out, or even consider subcontracting for them. Practice, in publica lot Even if youre already an expert in what youre selling, youre bound to experience imposter syndrome; thats human nature. (Multiply that feeling exponentially if youre still learning to do the thing.) Thats why sharing what youve learnedand are continuing to learnis so helpful. It gives you the chance to: Show and sharpen your skills. Get free feedback. Grow your network. Attract clients. With this in mind, look for opportunities to share examples of your work. Collect pictures or sample and build a portfolio. Start a blog or website, or a YouTube channel. Share what youre making on social media. The other advantage in doing this is showcasing your face and your personality. After all, people do business with people, not with faceless companies. Double down on the good stuff The more work you do, the more youll start to identify: What youre especially good at What resonates with others What gives the biggest return on investment (for you and them) What you enjoy most As you do, try to work on projects that balance satisfying all four of these. As you do, your work will start to spread. In time, youll have more freedom to choose the work you want to do most. Choose a name In the beginning, the business is just you. But in time, you might consider choosing a separate name for your business. The right business name can make more of a difference than you think. The more the name stands out and the easier it is to remember, the more people will be to talk about your business. And word of mouth advertising is the best kind of advertising. (Hat tip to Creator Science founder Jay Clouse for teaching me much of this.) Try to choose a name that: Is easy to remember (and say) Is different or unique Resonates with you Want to test out your business name? Youll find a free name evaluation test (and more naming tips) at Eat My Words. Decide on a business structure. Ok, things are starting to move; your business is starting to do well. If you havent started thinking about a structure for your business, you definitely want to start. Your business structure will impact many things, including whether or not you hire employees and how you do so, to what type of income tax return you file, to how much of your personal assets are at risk. In the U.S., business structures include the following: Sole proprietorship Partnership Limited Liability Company (LLC) Corporation (includes C corporation, S corporation, benefit corporation, and nonprofit corporation, among others) The benefits, protections, and risks of each of these can be complex. So, take your time and seek advice as you make a decision. Write a business plan A business plan is a document that outlines a companys goals and strategies. It can serve as a roadmap for how your business continues to grow and develop. Wait a second, youre thinking. Ive gotten this far without a business plan. Do I really need one? The answer is, it depends. Some business owners never write an official business plan. However, taking time to think through exactly what you want to achieve with the business, along with how you plan to achieve it, can help you reach those goals more quickly. And since clear writing leads to clear thinking (and vice versa), a business plan is usually a good idea. Of course, your business plan can be more formal or informal, depending on why youre doing it. If youre planning to stay small and just want help setting goals and staying on track, a more informal businss plan will likely serve your needs. On the other hand, if youre planning to pitch to potential lenders and investors, youll need a business plan thats more refined, and youll likely want help writing it. (You can read more about what a business plan entails and how to write one here.) Register your business Depending on your business name, your business structure, and where your business is located, you may need to register your business. For example, if you conduct business as yourself and you use your legal name, there is likely no need to register. However, in other cases you will need to establish your business as a distinct legal entity. Further, business registration can support your goals of protecting yourself against personal liability and make it easier to get certain tax and other legal benefits. Dont worry, registering your business isnt as hard as you might imagine. For most small businesses, it simply involves filling out some forms and submitting them to state and local governments. (You can read more about business registration in the U.S. here.) Get a Tax Identification Number After registering your business, you should consider applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is your business tax number; its like a Social Security number for your business. Youll need it to pay federal taxes and hire employees, to open a bank account, and to apply for licenses and permits. (You can read more about EINs and apply for one on the official IRS website here.) State tax ID numbers are handled on the state level. You can learn more by checking the official website of the state(s) where you do business. Secure a business license and permits Depending on what your business does, and where, you may need a combination of licenses and permits from government agencies, either on the federal or state level, or both. In addition to obtaining the proper licenses and permits, youll want to make sure to keep them currentrenewing licenses and permits is usually easier than applying for a new one. (You can find more information on licenses and permits in the U.S. here.) Open a business bank account Depending on your business structure, you may need to open a business bank account to stay legally compliant and protected. And even if youre not legally required to do so, a business bank account will provide separation between your personal and business finances. Additionally, some business bank accounts offer perks that you may not get with a standard personal bank account, like a larger line of credit or a business credit card. When looking for a business bank account, you could check with your personal bank if you have a good experience with them. Or, you could shop around to see which bank offers the best rates and/or the specific perks youre looking for. Be sure to research or ask ahead of time which documents youll need to open an account, which may include, but not be limited to, your Employer Identification Number (or Social Security number if youre a sole proprietorship), formation documents, business license, and other documents. Get help One thing about being a business owner: You have to wear a lot of hats, especially in the beginning. Youre the executive team. The production, marketing, sales, finance, and research and development departments, all wrapped up into one. Eventually, though, you may be in a position to start hiring specialists to help you manage your ever-increasing workload. You could start by hiring specialized freelancers or agencies. Or, you might search for an assistant who can handle a variety of tasks. In time, you may even want to hire your first employee(s). That will bring a whole new set of questions and complex considerations. To get help, you might consider partnering with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). As long as your business has its own registered entity and fits other requirements, a PEO can work with your business to co-employ individuals and offer a wide range of HR services such as payroll, benefits, tax filing, workers compensation, and business insurance. No matter how big or small your business, hopefully this guide will help you begin to navigate the complexityand help turn your business idea from dream to reality. By Justin Bariso This article originally appeared in Fast Companys sister publication, Inc. Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy.
Category:
E-Commerce
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