Saving Seafood

Helping Fishermen Catch What They Want, and Nothing Else

May 3, 2016 — Heather Goldstone, of NPR affiliates WGBH and WCAI, discusses bycatch reduction in fisheries on a recent episode of “Living Lab.” Her guests were veteran gear designer Ron Smolowitz of the Coonamessett Farm Foundation, who has worked with the southern New England scallop industry; Steve Eayrs, a research scientist at Gulf of Maine Research Institute, who has worked with groundfishermen in Maine; and Tim Werner, a senior scientist with the New England Aquarium, who put acoustic pingers on gill nets to warn away dolphins. An excerpt from the segment is reproduced below:

It’s the holy grail of commercial fishing: catch just the right amount of just the right size of just the right species, without damage to the physical environment. It’s a tall order, and few fisheries are there yet.

Leaving aside the issue of straight up over-fishing, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that, each year, fishermen around the world accidentally catch more than seven million tons of marine life – everything from whales and turtles, to sea cucumbers – that they weren’t even after. Such by-catch, as it’s known, is essentially collateral damage.

And fishing has other environmental impacts. In some parts of the ocean, the scars left by trawls dragged across the sea floor can be seen for years.

But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Over the past decade or so, a lot of effort has gone into designing fishing gear and related equipment that allows fishermen to catch more of what they do want, and less of what they don’t, while also minimizing damage to the environment. For example:

  • Veteran gear designer Ron Smolowitz and the Coonamessett Farm Foundation have worked with the southern New England scallop industry over the past several years to develop a trawl that excludes loggerhead sea turtles. It turns out, it’s also better at capturing scallops, with the end result that scallopers can use smaller areas and less fuel – 75% less – to make their catch.

Read the full story and listen to the segment at WCAI

Scientists say more cod might survive fishing than thought

April 22, 2016 — BIDDEFORD, Maine — A group of scientists say more Atlantic cod might survive being thrown back in the water by fishermen than previously thought.

Scientists from several organizations, including the New England Aquarium in Boston and University of New England in Biddeford, conducted a study. It’s published in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea’s Journal of Marine Science.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Washington Times

Right Whale, Wrong Place

April 20, 2016 — Whale watchers spent the day yesterday in Nahant looking for Mr. Right.

A wayward North Atlantic right whale made a splash just off the shore for most of the afternoon.

The endangered species is known to hang out near Cape Cod Bay this time of year, according to Charles “Stormy” Mayo, senior scientist at the Center for Coastal Studies in Cape Cod and director of the right whale ecology program.

“Anytime a few whales go up the shore it’s really a special thing and a rare occasion,” he said. 
“Every time, in the case of the right whales, their travel depends on the concentration of food; they’re grazers.”

Mayo added he thinks the whale frolicking off Nahant is likely to return to the Cape, where there is the highest concentration of North Atlantic right whales. Fewer than 500 are thought to exist.

Read the full story at the Boston Herald

At-sea monitoring fees are the latest threat to New Hampshire’s dwindling fishing industry

April 1, 2016 — Working as both a biologist and a fisherman, David Goethel brings a unique perspective to the state and federal fishery management boards he’s an adviser on. 

“I’ve spent all my life acting as a translator because they speak all different languages,” says Goethel, who worked as a research biologist at the New England Aquarium before he became the owner and operator of the Ellen Diane, a 44-foot fishing trawler based out of Hampton. 

But the most recent disconnect between the factions has resulted in Goethel and other groundfishermen filing a federal lawsuit. 

After delaying the regulation for years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is now requiring groundfishermen to pay for the at-sea monitoring program — at a cost of an average $710 per trip, conducted at random. The monitoring is done to ensure that the fishermen adhere to groundfish catch quotas set in May 2010 by the New England Fishery Management Council, under NOAA. (Groundfish include cod, haddock and other common bottom-dwelling species.) 

Read the full story at the New Hampshire Business Review

Environmental groups release scientific analysis of areas proposed for Atlantic marine monuments

March 29, 2016 – WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) – This morning, the “Protect New England’s Ocean Treasures Coalition” released an analysis of Northeast ocean areas under consideration for designation as marine National Monuments. The analysis was conducted by Dr. Peter Auster of Mystic Aquarium and Dr. Scott Kraus of the New England Aquarium, and was presented in a press webinar organized by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Dr. Auster and Dr. Kraus concluded, among other findings, that the proposed monument areas possess high habitat diversity and an abundance of species, function as a source of habitats including for commercial species, and contain species sensitive to disturbance. However, they noted that they do not have adequate data to address what the economic and human effects of area closures to fisheries might be. Presenters also acknowledged that the areas under consideration are already protected, but expressed concern about the future possibility of drilling and mining.

A monument designation would likely affect the fisheries for Atlantic red crab, offshore lobster, squid, mackerel, butterfish, tilefish, albacore wahoo, dolphinfish (mahi mahi), and others. Pelagic longline, rod and reel, and greenstick fisheries including yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, and swordfish may also be affected. During the webinar, the presenters conceded that they do not have enough data to analyze how a monument designation would affect many of these fisheries.

The analysis addressed both Cashes Ledge and the Northeast Seamounts and Canyons. White House officials stated last week that Cashes Ledge is “not under consideration for a [national monument] designation at this time.” However, representatives of the Northeast Seafood Coalition and Associated Fisheries of Maine, who attended meetings with White House officials, said in a joint statement that offshore canyon areas east of Cape Cod remain under consideration and “affected fishermen should remain vigilant in assuring that any concerns they may have are addressed.”

The Protect New England’s Ocean Treasures Coalition, which “is advocating for the establishment of a Marine National Monument in the North Atlantic Ocean,” is composed of:

  • Center for American Progress
  • Conservation Law Foundation
  • Environment America
  • Mystic Aquarium
  • National Geographic Society
  • National Wildlife Federation
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • New England Aquarium
  • Ocean Conservancy
  • Oceana
  • The Pew Charitable Trusts

Read a fact sheet about the proposed Atlantic monument areas

Captions courtesy of Pew Charitable Trusts

Proposed NE monument

Proposed Marine National Monument in Northeastern Waters of the U.S.

These maps illustrate that while whale and dolphin species are distributed throughout the whole Cashes Ledge region, the deep water toward the center of the proposed monument area is a hot spot for both the total numbers of species (left) and the total numbers of animals (right). Courtesy of Scott Kraus and Brooke Wikgren, New England Aquarium

These maps illustrate that while whale and dolphin species are distributed throughout the whole Cashes Ledge region, the deep water toward the center of the proposed monument area is a hot spot for both the total numbers of species (left) and the total numbers of animals (right). Courtesy of Scott Kraus and Brooke Wikgren, New England Aquarium

This map illustrates the pattern of species richness (number of species) of bottom-dwelling animals in the Cashes Ledge area. Warmer colors indicate more species. The largest red diversity hot spot is the peak of Cashes Ledge, where the largest continuous kelp forest on Cashes Ledge is located. Note that this map displays number of species, not numbers of individuals or density of animals. Courtesy of Peter Auster and Michel McKee, Mystic Aquarium

This map illustrates the pattern of species richness (number of species) of bottom-dwelling animals in the Cashes Ledge area. Warmer colors indicate more species. The largest red diversity hot spot is the peak of Cashes Ledge, where the largest continuous kelp forest on Cashes Ledge is located. Note that this map displays number of species, not numbers of individuals or density of animals. Courtesy of Peter Auster and Michel McKee, Mystic Aquarium

Topographic roughness – essentially, small-scale bumpiness of the seafloor – is linked to the distribution and diversity of microhabitats that in turn support a diversity of species. Warmer colors indicate greater "roughness" and are linked to locations of species-rich communities. For example, the area of high roughness on the top of Cashes Ledge (right inside the proposed monument boundary) is where the kelp forest is located and a species diversity hotspot. Courtesy of Peter Auster and Michel McKee, Mystic Aquarium

Topographic roughness – essentially, small-scale bumpiness of the seafloor – is linked to the distribution and diversity of microhabitats that in turn support a diversity of species. Warmer colors indicate greater “roughness” and are linked to locations of species-rich communities. For example, the area of high roughness on the top of Cashes Ledge (right inside the proposed monument boundary) is where the kelp forest is located and a species diversity hotspot. Courtesy of Peter Auster and Michel McKee, Mystic Aquarium

These maps illustrate patterns in the richness of species (left) and total numbers of whales and dolphins (right) observed during surveys in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts region. Warmer colors indicate greater richness or abundance. Note how species concentrate on the eastern Georges Bank, where the shelf descends into the deep ocean, and hot spots for concentrations of whales and dolphins dot the shelf-edge. Courtesy of Scott Kraus and Brooke Wikgren, New England Aquarium

These maps illustrate patterns in the richness of species (left) and total numbers of whales and dolphins (right) observed during surveys in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts region. Warmer colors indicate greater richness or abundance. Note how species concentrate on the eastern Georges Bank, where the shelf descends into the deep ocean, and hot spots for concentrations of whales and dolphins dot the shelf-edge. Courtesy of Scott Kraus and Brooke Wikgren, New England Aquarium

This map shows hot and cold spots for species of bottom-dwelling animals in the New England Canyons and Seamounts areas. Species are especially diverse along the edge of Georges Bank, where the shelf descends into the deep ocean. Hot spots are also visible on Bear, Physalia, Retriever and Mytilus Seamounts. Courtesy of Peter Auster and Michel McKee, Mystic Aquarium

This map shows hot and cold spots for species of bottom-dwelling animals in the New England Canyons and Seamounts areas. Species are especially diverse along the edge of Georges Bank, where the shelf descends into the deep ocean. Hot spots are also visible on Bear, Physalia, Retriever and Mytilus Seamounts. Courtesy of Peter Auster and Michel McKee, Mystic Aquarium

Topographic roughness – essentially small-scale bumpiness of the seafloor – is linked to the distribution and diversity of microhabitats that in turn support a diversity of species. Warmer colors indicate greater "roughness" and are linked to locations of species-rich communities. A high topographic roughness value suggests where especially rich communities may be found. The entire shelf-edge, where Georges Bank descends into the deep ocean, is topographically rough, and Bear, Physalia, Retriever and Mytilus Seamounts stand out. Courtesy of Peter Auster and Michel McKee, Mystic Aquarium

Topographic roughness – essentially small-scale bumpiness of the seafloor – is linked to the distribution and diversity of microhabitats that in turn support a diversity of species. Warmer colors indicate greater “roughness” and are linked to locations of species-rich communities. A high topographic roughness value suggests where especially rich communities may be found. The entire shelf-edge, where Georges Bank descends into the deep ocean, is topographically rough, and Bear, Physalia, Retriever and Mytilus Seamounts stand out. Courtesy of Peter Auster and Michel McKee, Mystic Aquarium

Gloucester Daily Times: Right whale population continues to rebound

March 15, 2016 — Here’s a bit of good news about the ocean environment: Right whales, once thought to be on the brink of extinction, are returning to Cape Cod Bay in record numbers.

And it’s not a one-time event. Marine scientists say nearly half of the estimated right whale population of 500 has been spotted in the bay over the past few years. It’s a huge leap from years past, when researchers counted themselves fortunate to see more than a couple dozen visiting the bay in search of food.

“It’s rather extraordinary and somewhat mind-blowing,” Charles “Stormy” Mayo, a senior scientist and director of right whale ecology at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown told the Associated Press.

“There has been a huge pulse in numbers in the past few years,” said Amy Knowlton, a scientist with the New England Aquarium’s Right Whale Research Project.

Read the full opinion piece at the Gloucester Daily Times

Sea turtle strandings surpass 500, second-highest on record

January 3, 2016 — For the first time since the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary started rescuing endangered cold-stunned sea turtles in 1982, the sanctuary recovered living cold-stunned turtles in January, according to a statement from the sanctuary.

Usually, the season ends by Christmas.

Since November, rescuers with the sanctuary have recovered 520 turtles from Cape Cod Bay beaches, making it the second-highest stranding year on record.

Last year, 1,200 turtles were stranded, according to the release. The vast majority of turtles that strand here are Kemp’s ridleys, which are born on beaches in Mexico and Texas.

Read the full story at Cape Cod Times

 

Fishing for a solution for endangered right whales

December 29, 2015 — Sometimes technology solves a problem, sometimes it makes it worse.

When researchers at the New England Aquarium and the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown examined ropes recovered from whales entangled in fishing gear from 1994 to 2010, they found that entanglements for North Atlantic right whales, the world’s most endangered great whale species, accelerated dramatically from 1993 to 2010, in both frequency and in the severity of the entrapment.

The culprit, scientists believe, is a new type of rope known as Polysteel, that rope manufacturers began making and marketing to fishermen and others in the marine trades as being 40 percent stronger and more durable than other synthetic ropes. Plus, the lobster industry also shifted from wood to wire traps that allowed them to use heavier gear and for the pots to stay in the water through the winter, increasing the likelihood of interaction with whales.

Even though fishermen already employ weak links designed to break and separate the line from the buoy when a whale pulls on it, researchers found the lines themselves were still doing a lot of damage.

“It was a huge change,” said Amy Knowlton, the lead author of the study and a research scientist with the New England Aquarium working to reduce the risk of whale entanglement and death from fishing gear and lines. Scientists put the number of North Atlantic right whales that can be lost due to human causes at less than one per year, if the population is going to increase and avoid extinction. The National Marine Fisheries Service has calculated that 3.25 right whales per year either died or were severely injured between 2007 and 2011 by being caught up in fishing gear and lines. The agency estimates that 83 percent of the right whale population shows scarring from fishing gear.

Read the full story at the Cape Cod Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Study eyes fish freed from hooks

December 24, 2015 — Researchers at the New England Aquarium, in conjunction with those from state agencies, are getting closer to releasing study results on the collateral impact of recreational haddock discards on the overall mortality rate of the species.

Dr. John Mandelman, director of research at the Boston-based aquarium, said the the field work for the study was completed in early November. He expects the New England Fishery Management Council, which helped fund the study, to complete vetting the analysis sometime early next spring.

The field work was performed with significant assistance from recreational fishing operators such as Gloucester-based Yankee Fleet and Seabrook, New Hampshire-based Eastman’s Docks Fishing Fleet.

“As with all studies, what we very much tried to do was to work as much as possible as part of a legitimate fishing effort, or what we call a fishery-dependent exercise” Mandelman said. “This was a really nice partnership.”

Mandelman said project researchers made about eight trips last spring aboard some of the Yankee Fleet’s larger party boats, focusing on observing how a full range of anglers — from novice to veteran — performed catch-and-release of haddock discards, while also charting catch gear, catch conditions, injuries to the fish, time out of water and sea temperatures.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times