Saving Seafood

Logging into Efficiency: Modernizing Atlantic Coastwide Permit and Vessel Logbooks

July 3, 2025 — For the first time in 30 years, NOAA Fisheries is modernizing our Atlantic Coast logbook reporting systems for both commercial and for-hire fishermen. We will increase our data sharing capabilities and simplify and speed up the reporting process for fishermen, which could reduce costs. In fact, our Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office benefited from $300,000 annual cost savings after moving to paperless reporting and permitting.

Previously, we collected similar information on vessels, effort, and catch in separate systems. This resulted in redundant data entries and data management systems doing similar tasks, duplicating processes and information. Now, we are modernizing our five science center logbook systems:

  • Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Vessel Trip Reporting
  • Southeast Regional Office For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting
  • Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Pelagic Fisheries Logbook
  • Southeast Commercial Fisheries Logbook
  • Southeast Headboat

The goal is to have all federal logbook data from Maine through Texas collected electronically and available in a centralized, standardized system. We will also improve the data quality, resilience, reliability, and accessibility of all five reporting systems. Our focus is on the data collected from fishing trips and the information systems used to gather and process those data. This initiative also aims to enhance support for critical monitoring requirements—such as quota monitoring and stock assessments—and provide timely, high-quality data for fishery managers.

Ultimately, we seek a more efficient process of storing and sharing data. This new integrated database system will source from data captured across multiple offices, allowing us to increase information sharing and prevent duplicative entries. It will also set the foundation for creating a logbook application framework for use by others.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

Clues From the Catch: How Small Samples Lead to Big Fish Insights

June 27, 2025 — When fish biologist Eva Schemmel gets an early morning phone call from the Honolulu Fish Auction, it means something exciting has landed at Pier 38, the center of Hawai‘i’s commercial fishing village.

Recently, it was a record-sized gindai.

Weighing in at 4.95 pounds, the deepwater snapper may not look like a trophy fish to some (especially next to 100–200 pound tunas!). But it’s worth much more than its weight thanks to a collaboration between fishermen and NOAA life history scientists.

Understanding Fish Populations

Schemmel is part of a NOAA Fisheries team that studies the life history of fish species across the Pacific Islands—how they grow, reproduce, and die. These “fish detectives” collect clues from some of the region’s most valuable (and tasty!) commercial fish species to reveal the mystery of fish population structures. This information helps scientists maximize harvest opportunities for fishermen.

“It’s the key piece to understanding if your fishery is healthy,” Schemmel said. “With the best scientific information possible, you can maximize how much fishing you can do, while keeping fish populations reproducing at the same level.”

Healthy fish populations depend on reproductive adults, and it’s often the oldest, largest fish that play the biggest role in keeping their numbers going. By collecting enough samples from larger fish—like the recent gindai—scientists can determine the average and maximum lifespan of fish in a population. This data helps scientists create more accurate stock assessment models—the foundation for management measures.

Tick Tock: Fish With Hidden Clocks

The science of aging fish relies on a key piece of evidence: otoliths. Most fish have these tiny, jewel-like bones in their inner ears. They help fish hear and balance in their surroundings underwater. They also carry information about the fish’s growth, similar to growth rings in a tree. These lines provide a reliable estimate of the fish’s age.

Collecting otoliths is quick and doesn’t harm the catch. In return for this effort, NOAA Fisheries scientists gain a literal lifetime of data.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries 

Anchovy Dominated Diets off the West Coast Pose New Dangers for Salmon

June 26, 2025 — A vitamin deficiency likely killed as many as half of newly hatched fry of endangered winter-run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River in 2020 and 2021. These new findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The deficiency of thiamine, or Vitamin B1, is linked to large-scale shifts in the ocean ecosystem. These shifts changed the prey adult salmon consume before they return to West Coast rivers to spawn, scientists reported. They said the longtime loss of habitat and water has already weakened many California salmon populations. Further declines from thiamine deficiency or other impacts may lead to their extinction.

The deficiency syndrome can also affect salmon runs like the Central Valley’s fall-run that once supported valuable commercial fisheries across California. They have since dwindled to the point that commercial ocean salmon fishing in California has been closed for the last 3 years.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

Lights, Camera, Ocean: Student-Built Device Takes the Plunge

June 12, 2025 — From the Classroom to the Coast

In September 2024, our Gear Research Team got an exciting email. It was from Robbie Munsey, a Computer Science Coordinator at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Virginia. He asked if someone from our team could talk to his middle school robotics students about on-demand fishing gear and how underwater cameras could help in our research. I often handle outreach like this, and I was thrilled to connect with these future scientists.

After several calls and emails—and after the students won both state and regional robotics competitions—the team shipped their project to us. It was an acoustically triggered, 360-degree underwater camera. They were preparing for the 2025 FIRST Championship World Robotics Competition held April 29–May 2 in Houston, Texas. They wanted us to field test it ahead of the competition.

The Tech Behind the Camera

Let me tell you… they didn’t just send a basic prototype. What arrived was a well-packaged, acoustically triggered, 360-degree underwater camera system. It came with an easy-to-follow manual, spare parts, and everything we needed to power and deploy it. The setup was intuitive, and I only needed one quick video call with the team to confirm a few details.

The camera itself is housed in a waterproof casing rated for depths of up to 150 meters, or about 500 feet. Attached to it are two powerful lights and an acoustic release system—components we regularly use in our fieldwork. These students had cleverly modified the acoustic trigger with magnets to activate the camera and lights when they received a signal from the surface.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

New Seasonal Forecast Predicts Cooler Waters in Northeast

June 4, 2025 — Deep waters in the Gulf of Maine and the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelfbreak region are expected to remain cooler than in recent years. This prediction, a product of NOAA’s Changing Ecosystems and Fisheries Initiative, is from the first experimental seasonal ocean outlook released by NOAA scientists in April. It is a shift from previous patterns: From 2004 to 2013, sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Maine warmed faster than anywhere else in the world.

Fisheries Data Supports Forecast

Conditions at the bottom of the ocean along much of the Northeast U.S. coast have been colder than normal in the first few months of 2025. Data collected in March 2025 by several surveys and the eMOLT program, a partnership between commercial fishermen and NOAA, showed:

  • Bottom temperatures across much of the Gulf of Maine that were 0.5–2.0 °C (0.9–3.6 °F) below normal for March, though a few locations reported slightly warmer than normal conditions
  • Cooler than normal conditions all along the edge of Georges Bank and deep along the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf break and slope
  • Patches of near to slightly above normal temperatures inshore around Long Island

The first experimental outlook was produced by an advanced integration of NOAA Research’s global seasonal forecast model with a newly developed high-resolution numerical ocean model. The outlook predicts that many of these patterns of above and below normal bottom temperatures will persist into the summer:

  • Continued cold is predicted in the deep Gulf of Maine, while some shallow nearshore regions may see moderately above normal temperatures
  • Colder than normal conditions are also forecast to persist deep along the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf break and slope, but warmer than normal conditions are predicted to develop in much of the shallower Mid-Atlantic Bight
  • Near the surface, moderately warmer than normal conditions (about 1 °C or 2 °F above average) are predicted throughout most of the region

Since releasing the outlook, NOAA scientists have continued monitoring conditions in the Northeast. Consistent with the forecast and data collected in March and April 2025, they are seeing cooler than normal bottom temperatures.

Are these changes part of a longer term shift?

The recent persistence of cooler than usual conditions in the Gulf of Maine is a marked departure from the last two decades. From 2004 to 2013, the Gulf of Maine sea surface temperature warmed faster than virtually anywhere else in the world. Strong marine heatwaves, or extended periods of substantially warmer than normal conditions, were observed in 2012 and 2016. This abrupt warming had impacts on a number of important fisheries, including cod and lobster.

NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory conducted experimental model predictions of the next 10 years in 2023. They suggest that the warming will pause over the next decade, with the temperature trend at the surface remaining flat or slightly cooling. In the model, this pause in the warming trend is associated with slow variability in the ocean and atmosphere that takes place over several years. This will ultimately result in a temporary southward displacement of the warm Gulf Stream current, which allows colder water into the Northeast U.S. region.

The cool water observed this winter and spring, its predicted continuation at depth this summer, and several cool pulses observed in 2024 point to this prediction being accurate so far. However, several additional years of data will be needed to confirm whether the warming trend has paused as predicted.

These ocean outlooks are based on advanced numerical models developed by NOAA Research. The Seamless System for Prediction and Earth System Research (SPEAR) model was developed at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. It predicts how the ocean, atmosphere, land, and sea ice across the planet will evolve over the next 1 to 10 years. Through a process known as downscaling, predictions from the SPEAR global model are then fed into a much higher resolution regional model, built with NOAA’s Modular Ocean Model version 6 (MOM6). This high-resolution model also simulates coastal tides, plankton, and ocean chemistry.

Preparing for Changing Ecosystems and Fisheries

We will update the seasonal outlook for the U.S. East Coast—which includes the Caribbean and the Gulf of America (formerly the Gulf of Mexico)—every 3 months. We will also continue to regularly update our 10-year forecasts. Combined, these forecasts will provide actionable information about potential near-future ocean conditions. Coastal communities, industries, and resource managers can use this information to reduce the impacts of ocean changes.

Scientists at NOAA Fisheries are working closely with NOAA Research and university partners to understand how these predictions can be best incorporated into marine resource management. Changes such as the cooling of deep bottom waters are expected to be particularly impactful for groundfish species, such as cod and haddock, which live on or near the deep sea floor.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries 

NOAA Fisheries intercepted illegal tuna shipment destined for US grocery chain

June 3, 2025 — NOAA Fisheries has fined a U.S. grocery chain USD 12,516 (EUR 10,961) for illegally importing yellowfin tuna.

According to the agency, NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement collaborated with Virginia Conservation Police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on a joint inspection of a container shipment at the Centralized Examination Station in Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.A. Inside, law enforcement found more than 1,100 pounds of jarred yellowfin tuna with a declared value of USD 4,889 (EUR 4,281) destined for a grocery store chain.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement Foils Crab Trafficking Plot in Alaska

May 30, 2025 — NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement led an investigation that resulted in a Kodiak fisherman being sentenced to prison for illegally trafficking diseased crab from Alaska to Washington. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska handled the successful prosecution. On May 13, Corey Potter was sentenced to 1 year in prison and 2 years of supervised release. The sentence also included a worldwide ban on any commercial fishing for the duration of the term of his supervised release. Potter pleaded guilty to two felony counts of violating the Lacey Act in February.

In early March 2024, based on information from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement initiated an investigation into two Alaska crab catcher vessels. They were allegedly transporting catch out of Alaska without first properly landing the crab in the state as required by law. Corey Potter was the owner and operator of the crab catcher vessels F/V Gambler and F/V Arctic Dawn. The investigation revealed that he directed the vessels’ captains and operators, Kyle Potter and Justin Welch, to transport live crab harvested in Alaska through Canadian waters to Seattle, where they planned to fetch higher prices for the sales. The F/V Arctic Dawn had more than 4,200 pounds of live Tanner crab on board, and the F/V Gambler held more than 2,900 pounds of live golden king crab.

Several crab fishermen expressed concern to Corey and Kyle Potter regarding their plan to transport the crab out of Alaska due to Bitter Crab Syndrome. The syndrome is a fatal parasitic disease impacting crustaceans. The fishermen cautioned that infected crab could harm the fishery’s reputation and, consequently, the market for Alaskan crab. Regardless, the captains unlawfully departed Alaska without landing the crab or submitting completed reports, in violation of Alaska law. They were fully aware that some of the Tanner crab were almost certainly infected. We tracked the vessels from Alaska to Washington, interdicted them at the dock in Seattle, and seized the catch. We collaborated with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Police, who offloaded the Tanner crab and disposed of them securely. Approximately 42 percent of the king crab were dead prior to landing and therefore unmarketable.

Co-defendant Welch pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Lacey Act and was sentenced on June 25, 2024, to 3 years’ probation, and a $10,000 fine. Co-defendant Kyle Potter pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Lacey Act. He was sentenced on July 10, 2024, to 5 years’ probation, including a 5-year worldwide ban on any commercial fishing and a $20,000 fine.

“The sustainability of Alaska’s fisheries depends on honest fishermen, strong statutory oversight, and industry members who engage in fair business practices,” said Benjamin Cheeseman, Assistant Director, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, Alaska Division. “These sentences serve to protect lawful stakeholders into the future, by sending a clear message to would-be offenders. We remain committed to holding violators accountable and safeguarding Alaska’s fisheries for future generations.”

NOAA Fisheries enforces statutes pertaining to seafood and federal fisheries. We work diligently to ensure compliance with these laws and take swift action when violations occur. We are committed to pursuing violators across state boundaries and international borders.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

NOAA ocean outlook projects cooler deep waters for Gulf of Maine

May 28, 2025 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The Gulf of Maine, historically one of the fastest-warming ocean regions in the world, is predicted to experience cooler bottom water temperatures this spring and summer, according to a new experimental outlook developed by NOAA scientists.

Initial signs of this shift were reported by NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center and documented in the NOAA Fisheries 2025 New England State of the Ecosystem Report.

Data shows that since late 2023, the Northwest Atlantic has seen cooler bottom-water temperatures due to the southward movement of the eastern portion of the Gulf Stream and possibly an increased influx of Labrador Slope and Scotian Shelf water into the system. Researchers expect the Gulf of Maine to be 0.9-1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (0.5-1 degree Celsius) cooler this summer compared to the average summer temperature.

“The cooling trend from the Labrador Shelf region is significant and could have important effects on local marine ecosystems and fisheries,” said Vincent Saba, a research fishery biologist at NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center.

Bottom-water temperatures influence the productivity of groundfish, like cod, haddock, pollock, and several species of flounder, which prefer cooler water. Lobster, the most valuable fishery in the northeast, are also temperature-sensitive. Warming waters along the New England coast in recent decades have contributed to the collapse of the southern New England lobster population while the Gulf of Maine population has boomed. Researchers expect that cooler waters will impact this economically and culturally important species.

The commercial fishing industry in New England is a major economic driver, contributing $1.4 billion in revenue to the regional economy in 2022 and supporting over 280,000 jobs. The industry also has a significant socioeconomic impact on coastal communities.

A companion longer-term outlook, also developed by NOAA scientists, suggests that more frequent inflows of cooler deep waters may continue to temper warming in the basin for the next several years. Continued monitoring is needed to confirm this prediction.

“This is the first product to offer high-resolution predictive information on ocean conditions at near-term time scales for the full East Coast of the U.S.,” said Katherine Mills, Senior Scientist at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. “Species in the groundfish complex—like cod, haddock and winter flounder—are more productive when water temperatures are cooler. This information can be used to anticipate where and when certain marine species might be available and help commercial harvesters and supply chain businesses more effectively plan their operations.”

This seasonal outlook was developed under the Changing Ecosystems and Fisheries Initiative (CEFI) by scientists across NOAA Research and Fisheries, with input from the National Ocean Service, National Environmental Satellite and Data Information Service and the National Weather Service.

The outlook is based on two models developed by NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. The first is SPEAR, the “Seamless System for Prediction and Earth System Research”, which provides large-scale predictions for the ocean, atmosphere and land. The SPEAR output is then fed into a higher-resolution regional model, built with the Modular Ocean Model version 6 (MOM6), to simulate ecosystem changes in the coastal regions.

Working in tandem, the two models generate ocean predictions for a wide region along the U.S. East Coast, from the Gulf of Maine through the Southeast U.S. and into the Caribbean Islands  that are home to economically important fisheries and protected species. The outlook for the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean regions predicts moderately above-normal surface temperatures through this spring and summer.

Through CEFI, NOAA Research is building out experimental regional ocean prediction systems for all U.S. coastal regions and the Great Lakes that will include information on ocean chemistry (acidity, oxygen) and plankton populations. The regional configurations all rely on NOAA’s global prediction systems for large-scale information while enabling finer resolution of local features critical for fisheries and coastal communities.

“These outlooks help us communicate these predicted changes, allowing the fishing industry and coastal communities to prepare and respond effectively,” Saba said.

Trump’s plan to merge ESA offices could be a hard sell

May 7, 2025 — Businessman Howard Lutnick provided a seemingly straightforward answer when a Democratic senator asked him earlier this year whether he was considering moving NOAA Fisheries out of NOAA.

“No,” Lutnick said.

Strictly speaking, Lutnick’s written answer to a question posed by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) still holds up. Since his confirmation as Commerce secretary, Lutnick has not proposed a wholesale relocation of NOAA Fisheries.

But as part of its new fiscal 2026 budget proposal, the Trump administration revived a proposal to move to the Interior Department the NOAA Fisheries office that handles Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act issues.

The partial merger has been floated before, but it’s never gone very far. If the Trump administration is serious about pursuing the idea now, it will confront entrenched bureaucracies, congressional turf conflicts and a lot of very serious questions, former officials and advocacy organization leaders predict.

“It seems consolidating ESA functions would make sense to ensure consistent application of the law,” said Greg Sheehan, former FWS deputy director in the first Trump administration.

Read the full story at E&E News

Washington State River Restoration Project to Revive Salmon Habitat, Support Local Jobs

May 7, 2025 — This spring, NOAA partner the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership broke ground on a large-scale salmon habitat restoration project on the lower East Fork Lewis River in Washington State. This project will support the recovery of threatened steelhead and salmon on one of the few undammed rivers in the Lower Columbia River watershed. It will also inject millions into the local economy and generate hundreds local jobs in construction, heavy equipment operations, trucking, engineering, forestry, and other industries.

In addition, the work will help maintain fishing opportunities that further contribute to the local economy.

Flooding Destroys Habitat

In 1996, Steve Manlow, Executive Director of the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, watched in horror as a 500-year flood event destroyed crucial salmon and steelhead habitat on the lower East Fork Lewis River. Flood waters breached the levees around nine abandoned gravel mining pits, fundamentally shifting the river’s course.

This once-braided, multi-channel river began flowing through the excavated pits. It formed a series of interconnected warm-water ponds that prevent salmon and steelhead from migrating upstream for much of the year. The river channel deepened, cutting off floodplain habitat and causing severe erosion downstream.

Read the full story at NOAA Fisheries