Saving Seafood

Famous Waikīkī Pup Gives Birth Outside of the Spotlight

February 24, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Nearly 6 years ago, Hawaiian monk seal RH58 (Rocky) surprised us all and gave birth to a female pup on a busy, high-traffic beach in Waikīkī. Now, that world-famous pup RJ58 (Kaimana) is raising a pup of her own, but in a much quieter location.

On January 28, 2023, Kaimana gave birth to the first pup of 2023 in the main Hawaiian Islands. Peak pupping season usually begins in spring, so this early start is a welcome surprise.

Our partners at Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) have been on site each day monitoring the pair since Kaimana gave birth. They were even there to witness the birth!

“We’ve been observing a lot of nursing and swimming behavior from the pair,” said Jon Gelman, HMAR president. “We’ll continue to be in the area until after Kaimana leaves, and the pup begins to venture off by itself.”

HMAR has been busy off the beach, too, working with Kahuku Elementary School’s fifth grade class to gift the pup a Hawaiian name. The students selected the name Uʻi Mea Ola, or Uʻi for short. It means “beautiful survivor.” One of the reasons the students gifted this name was that the pup was born safely during the moon phase ʻOle Kū Lua, known for high tides and rough conditions.

“Our goal with each naming is for the students, teachers and surrounding communities to learn a bit more about Hawaiian monk seals, their importance and conservation,” said Emily Greene, HMAR’s education manager. “In addition, we hope that these students feel a sense of kuleana, or responsibility, to care for and conserve not only the pup they name but all monk seals and marine life.”

Read the full release here

Federal agency says no evidence offshore wind activity responsible for whale deaths

February 23, 2023 — In the latest jabs in the public debate over recent whale deaths along the Atlantic Coast, an independent government agency tasked by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act to protect marine mammals, said Tuesday that offshore wind activities aren’t responsible for the recent spate of whale deaths here and elsewhere on the East Coast.

Eight whales have washed ashore dead in New Jersey since Dec. 1, while 23 have been spotted up and down the Atlantic Coast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Marine Mammal Commission said the deaths are part of the Humpback Whale Unusual Mortality Event (UME) declared by the National Marine Fisheries Service that began in 2016.

“Although these strandings have generated media interest and public scrutiny, humpback whale strandings are not new nor are they unique to the U.S. Atlantic coast. In fact, ten or more humpback whales have stranded each year during the UME, with a high of 34 in 2017,” the commission said.

Read the full article at app.

U.S. Leadership Key to Achieving Improved Monitoring and Control of Fishing in the South Pacific

February 23, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization took a historic decision to adopt a U.S. proposal to establish comprehensive SPRFMO-specific high seas boarding and inspection procedures. This was one of 13 proposals adopted at the 11th annual meeting this month in Ecuador, where U.S. leadership was on full display.

Combating Illegal Fishing: High Seas Boarding and Inspection

Members adopted a U.S. proposal to establish SPRFMO-specific procedures in a comprehensive measure governing high seas boarding and inspection in the South Pacific. It is the culmination of efforts by the United States to achieve greater surveillance and monitoring over fishing activities in the Convention Area.

“This is a big step forward for SPRFMO. Negotiations on this measure have been ongoing for more than 5 years,” says Alexa Cole, Director of the Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce for NOAA Fisheries, who serves as the U.S. Commissioner to SPRFMO. “This puts in place important detailed procedures for high seas boarding and inspections that will facilitate efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the South Pacific.”

Promoting Sustainability: Limits Imposed on Effort in the Jumbo Flying Squid Fishery

The organization also took an important step towards controlling fishing levels in the jumbo flying squid jigging fishery. A working group chaired by the United States reconciled five competing proposals. Members adopted a measure that will, for the first time, limit the number and size of vessels flagged to China, Taiwan ( participating as Chinese Taipei), and Korea that target squid in the eastern Pacific. Three of the five proposals, including the one from the United States, also advocated for an increase in the observer coverage to at least 10 percent of fishing days. The organization could not reach consensus on an increase in observer coverage despite support from the United States and most coastal states. There is a clear need to improve monitoring of this fishery for scientific and compliance purposes. The United States is disappointed that Members representing distant-water fishing interests blocked more ambitious action and is committed to working with members to achieve this in the future.

Commitment to Future Action: Addressing Climate Change Impacts

The United States proposed that the Commission and its science and compliance committees consider climate change as a standing agenda item in all future meetings and make recommendations for the Commission. The organization adopted this document with broad vocal support from its membership. The adoption of the U.S. proposal is an important step for SPRFMO to help address climate change and ensure that the organization considers this issue in its decision making.

Advancing Conservation: Strengthened Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems

Members adopted a measure to enhance the conservation of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the South Pacific and take other steps to improve the management of bottom fishing on the high seas. The measure will implement a minimum level of 70 percent protection of suitable habitat for vulnerable marine ecosystems. While the United States advocated for an even higher level of protection, the new measure represents a significant step forward towards greater protection of deep-sea resources. Scientific uncertainty surrounding whether further protection may be needed will be addressed by the Scientific Committee in the coming year. The United States will continue advocating for action to prevent significant adverse impacts of fishing activities on VMEs consistent with the best available scientific information and the precautionary approach.

Unprecedented 10-Year Deal on Jack Mackerel

The United States chaired a working group developing a proposal for the allocation  of jack mackerel among current and new participants in this important fishery. The organization adopted by vote an allocation that will strengthen management and sustainable use in this fishery for the next decade. It will also promote more stability for the organization and the fishing industry. The rebuilding of jack mackerel from its depleted state a decade ago to the thriving, sustainably managed fishery it is now is a significant accomplishment for SPRFMO. It is an example of the success that can be achieved through international cooperation in regional fisheries management organizations.

West Coast Species on the Move as Climate Change Drives Ecological Shifts, Analysis Shows

February 22, 2023 — The following was release by NOAA Fisheries:

All but the most resilient marine species off the West Coast are likely to be vulnerable to climate change, according to a new NOAA Fisheries assessment. It will help inform fisheries management and species protections as the climate changes in the coming decades.

The assessment found that nearly all commercial fish stocks overseen by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council are vulnerable to climate change. Species with complex life histories, long life spans, or of high commercial value are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the California Current.

“We are looking forward, and we see that changes in these species may be the rule rather than the exception,” said Michelle McClure, lead author of the assessment who did much of the work while at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. “The goal is to anticipate the changes and make more climate-informed management decisions, and this assessment should help.”

Scientists are currently documenting the shift of marine species north or into deeper, cooler waters, as they follow their preferable temperatures. Such shifts are likely to become more widespread as climate change continues. Depressed oxygen levels, known as hypoxia, may also become more common and take a toll on bottom-dwelling species. These species cannot move very far or fast to avoid these low-oxygen areas.

Read the full release here

Fishermen and Scientists Partner to Fill Critical Data Needs for Bristol Bay Red King Crab

February 22, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Tempestuous weather and icy seas make winter research on Bristol Bay red king crab challenging. This winter, crab fishermen are working together with scientists to make it possible.

The Bering Sea crab industry is partnering with NOAA Fisheries’ Alaska Fisheries Science Center and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to meet a critical need for winter data on Bristol Bay Red king crab. Scientists and fishermen will work together on the month-long field research, set to launch in March. The research responds directly to data requests from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to inform their management decisions.

“It’s an exciting chance to study this stock in winter,” said study lead Mike LItzow, Alaska Fisheries Science Center. “That’s when people really interact with the stock— the Bristol Bay red king crab fishery and many other fisheries that potentially interact with crab take place in fall and winter. But because of the difficulty of working in the Bering Sea in winter, we don’t have great data then. This is a great opportunity to fill that data gap.”

Read the full release here

NOAA releases draft of National Seafood Strategy document

February 17, 2023 — NOAA has released its draft National Seafood Strategy, which will outline how the administration supports the domestic U.S. seafood economy and seafood sector in the coming years.

The strategy, released 14 February, focuses on NOAA Fisheries’ work on managing the country’s marine fisheries “based on sound science.” It also addresses a number of other factors affecting the seafood industry, including the financial viability of the industry, the resilience of coastal communities that depend on fishing, the effects of international trade – and the opportunities it can present, and the importance of seafood as a source of nutrition and food security.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

NOAA extends deadline for nations seeking to validate marine mammal bycatch criteria

February 17, 2023 — NOAA Fisheries extended the deadline to evaluate applications from nations seeking to prove their fishing practices meet U.S. standards for marine mammal bycatch.

Nations wishing to send wild-caught seafood products to the U.S. need a comparability finding for commercial fishing operations. Provisions contained within the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) require fisheries outside the U.S. to meet the U.S. standards on conserving marine mammals.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

 

2 more whales found dead along Atlantic Coast. NOAA says they were likely hit by boats.

February 16, 2023 — Necropsies on two whales found dead along the Atlantic coast this week revealed that both marine mammals showed evidence of vessel strikes.

Both whales, a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and a humpback, were already beginning to decompose, but preliminary results show internal injuries consistent with the blunt force trauma of a vessel strike, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Tuesday.

The deaths are among a flurry of 21 whale deaths along the length of the Atlantic coast since Dec. 3.

While several politicians who previously expressed opposition to — or concerns about — offshore wind energy projects have called for a moratorium on wind activities and an investigation into the whale deaths, preliminary exams show at least five of the 21 whales were likely killed in vessel collisions. Several were too decomposed to be examined.

Read the full article at USA Today

Third dead whale found miles from offshore wind farm in less than a week

February 15, 2023 — The third dead whale was discovered in less than a week off the southeastern coast of Virginia, miles from Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW), one of two operational wind farms in federal waters.

Over the weekend, a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale was discovered washed ashore near Chic’s Beach which is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed to Fox News Digital on Monday. According to local news outlets, there was no immediate cause of death and the whale didn’t appear to have any entanglement marks.

The discovery of the beached right whale came just two days after a humpback whale was found dead along the shoreline in Cape Charles, Virginia, and five days after a dead humpback whale was found off the coast of First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.

“There have been 3 large whale strandings in VA over the past week, two humpbacks and more recently a North Atlantic right whale,” NOAA spokesperson Allison Ferreira told Fox News Digital in an email. “We are investigating all of these incidents in collaboration with our stranding network partners.”

Read the full article at Fox News

Public helps NOAA track turtles around Maui

February 14, 2023 — A turtle known as MA100 has commonly been seen around Kaanapali since 2021. Another known as MA101 is commonly seen around Kihei but was first sighted at Maalaea Bay in 2021.

They’re among the many honu that scientists have been able to track around Maui thanks to the help of citizen scientists who report sightings of the Hawaiian green sea turtles based on special etchings on their shell.

The data collected through the citizen science-driven Honu County project helps staff with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries better understand foraging habitats, migration, distribution and the survival status of particular honu across Hawaii.

NOAA recently launched a new online tool to make it easier for folks in the Maui community and statewide to report sightings.

Since the inception of the Honu Count in 2017, nearly 600 people reported 688 sightings of 253 individual turtles. It’s a way for the public to engage in sea turtle research and conservation, according to NOAA.

Read the full article at Maui News