Saving Seafood

Four newborn right whales spotted early in 2019 breeding season

February 1, 2019 — The end of 2018 contained more dark news for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, as scientists finding that the species decline had quickened.

An estimate by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) brought the total population count of the species to a maximum total of 411 individuals remaining, with as few as 100 of those remaining being females of breeding age. That news came on top of already grim finding that no new calves were born during the 2017-2018 breeding season.

But on 22 January, three new calves were reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. And on 25 January, the agency recorded a spotting of a fourth right whale calf off the coast of Georgia.

The North Atlantic right whales, one of the world’s three right whale populations, spend much of the winter in the warmer waters of the Atlantic Ocean off Florida and Georgia before migrating to New England the Canadian Maritimes for the summer. There, they face the danger of entanglement in fishing lines used in lobster and crab fishing.

In 2017, 17 right whales died from ship strikes or entanglements in fishing gear. In 2018, an additional three right whales died, with one of the deceased right whales found to have died from entanglement in snow crab gear used in Canada.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Pentony’s NOAA shutdown update: Herring limits got action; permits piled up

January 31, 2019 — Some of the cost of the US federal government’s partial 35-day shutdown must now be borne by New England’s commercial fish and shellfish harvesters waiting for their permits to be renewed, but earlier this week Michael Pentony described how his staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was trying to mitigate the pain.

In a briefing provided to the New England Regional Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) at their meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, Pentony, the director of NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO), said his team was prioritizing the backlog of new fishing permit requests as well as renewal requests that didn’t get attention. (Undercurrent News has been  provided a recording of the comments.)

Fishing vessel permits begin to expire on March 1 for several species, including red crab, squid and butterfish, and scallop permits expire on April 1, he noted. Permits for several other species expire on May 1.

The backlog of permit renewals “was the thing that really kept me up at night as the shutdown dragged on and on with no end in sight for a while”, Pentony told the NEFMC.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

Groundfish: NEFMC Discusses Recreational Issues, Amendment 23, Data, New Sector

January 31, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

On January 30, midway through its three-day meeting in Portsmouth, NH, the New England Fishery Management Council covered a wide range of groundfish-related issues. These included:

  • The Fishery Data for Stock Assessment Working Group’s final report;
  • The peer review of the working group’s report by a subpanel of the Scientific and Statistical Committee;
  • A brief overview of the December 17, 2018 meeting of the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP), which included an announcement that NTAP is soliciting candidates through February 22, 2019 to serve on the panel;
  • A progress report on Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23;
  • Consideration of whether the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) should approve a new lease-only groundfish sector called Mooncusser Sector, which the Council supported based on a recommendation from its Groundfish Committee that followed guidance on the process for new sectors;
  • A short update on the Council’s Groundfish Catch Share Review – here’s the draft outline; and
  • A number of recreational fishing issues.

Read the full release here

Reminder: Seals Need Space

January 30, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA:

With daily reports of seals and seal pups coming into our hotline, this is a good time to remind everyone of seal watching guidelines and information.

Gray seals pup this time of year in New England, with pupping season extending through March. Then, in May, harbor seal pupping season begins.

Seal pups are adorable, but the best thing you can do for them is to keep your distance! Stay at least 150 feet (about four school bus lengths) away from seals, and keep pets away, too.

Despite good intentions, some beach goers take actions that put themselves and the seals at risk of injury. More often than not, interactions with seals leave the seals and their pups in dangerous situations–pups can be abandoned by their mothers, forced into the water when they aren’t old enough, or fed foods that make them ill. (Even if it were legal to feed seals, which it is not, they don’t eat peanut butter and jelly, just FYI.) The people approaching are also at risk of being bitten by a terrified seal that just wants to be left alone.

If you see a seal that you think might be in trouble, please call the Greater Atlantic Region Marine Animal Hotline at 866-755-6622, so trained responders can assist.

No selfies with seals please!

The popularity of selfies and capturing any moment through photographs or video is posing a new threat to wildlife and humans, including seals. Getting too close to seals can scare the animals and change their behaviors. Quietly watching from a distance can be even more rewarding than getting the perfect shot. Use your zoom or a telephoto lens instead of a selfie stick, or put your camera down and take a moment to really appreciate how cool sharing the shore with seals can be.

Mother Knows Best

Pups don’t swim very well– which is the reason they are hanging back on the beach while mom hunts. It is normal for a mother seal to leave her young pup alone on the beach for up to 24 hours while she feeds. You may not see the mother, but if she sees you near her pup, she may not think it’s safe to come back. It might only take a few seconds for you to snap the photo, but the mother may abandon her pup if she feels threatened. For the seal pup, the consequences can be devastating. Also, attempting to put or chase a seal pup into the water can cost the pup it’s life.

Even if the mother is present, if a curious seal pup approaches on its own, the right move is to back away so the mother doesn’t perceive your interaction as a threat and abandon the area, leaving her pup behind.

Are you too close?

Is the seal waving its flippers? Does it look sleepy and is repeatedly yawning? Do you hear it barking or making any other noises? If so, then, YES, you are too close! Despite their appearance, these aren’t friendly behaviors. They are the seal’s way of telling you to back off because it is uncomfortable and getting nervous. Is the seal moving away from you? Another sure sign that you are encroaching on its personal space.

More Info

Print out out our handy Seal Viewing Guidelines cards, and find out more about how you can Share the Shore with seals.

Also, please keep in mind that there is currently a phocine distemper outbreak in the northeast, and we are monitoring the seal population as part of an ongoing Unusual Mortality Event investigation. Please be sure to keep pets away from seals for everyone’s safety.

And remember, if you see a seal that you’re concerned about, call the Greater Atlantic Region Marine Animal Hotline at 866-755-6622.

Salmon-eating sea lions can now be killed legally

January 30, 2019 — Sea lions off the coast of California are being penalized for eating salmon — and it’s completely legal.

A new law allows for the killing of sea lions that have been feasting on the region’s endangered salmon, causing their numbers to drop. But hunters need to first get a permit.

The Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act was signed into law on Dec. 18, according to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“Many salmon and steelhead populations in the Northwest are threatened and endangered, and the last few years have been particularly hard as ocean conditions have turned and fewer salmon have returned to the rivers,” NOAA spokesman Michael Milstein told CNN.

Read the full story at the New York Daily News

 

NOAA asks mariners to stay clear of right whales

January 30, 2019 — The federal government has asked mariners to slow down in, or avoid altogether, a protected area off Nantucket set up to keep endangered right whales safe.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends vessels voluntarily travel at 10 knots or less until Feb. 11 The request came after 100 North Atlantic right whales were spotted south of the island on Jan. 15.

“We are also asking commercial fishermen to be vigilant when maneuvering to avoid accidental collisions with whales, remove unused gear from the ocean to help avoid entanglements, and use vertical lines with markings, weak links, and breaking strengths,” NOAA officials said in a statement.

About 20 of the whales were spotted in the 2,800-mile area on Sunday , said Jennifer S. Goebel, a spokeswoman for NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office.

Read the full story at the Boston Globe

 

Voluntary Vessel Speed Restriction Zone South of Nantucket to Protect Right Whales

January 29, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

A voluntary vessel speed restriction zone (Dynamic Management Area – DMA) has been established south of Nantucket for 100 right whales sighted in this area on January 15.

This DMA is in effect through January 30, 2019.

Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less.

Nantucket DMA coordinates:

41 12 N
40 28 N
070 36 W
069 31 W

See a map.

Right Whales Are Migrating

North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. With an unprecedented 20 right whale deaths documented in 2017 and 2018, NOAA is cautioning boaters to give these endangered whales plenty of room as they migrate south. We are also asking commercial fishermen to be vigilant when maneuvering to avoid accidental collisions with whales, remove unused gear from the ocean to help avoid entanglements, and use vertical lines with required markings, weak links, and breaking strengths.

Right Whales in Trouble

North Atlantic right whales are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Scientists estimate there are slightly more than 400 remaining, making them one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.

In August 2017, NOAA Fisheries declared the increase in right whale mortalities an “Unusual Mortality Event,” which helps the agency direct additional scientific and financial resources to investigating, understanding, and reducing the mortalities in partnership with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and outside experts from the scientific research community.

More Info

Recent right whale sightings

Find out more about our right whale conservation efforts and the researchers behind those efforts.

Download the Whale Alert app for iPad and iPhone

Acoustic detections in Cape Cod Bay and the Boston TSS

Send a blank message  to receive a return email listing all current U.S. DMAs and SMAs.

Details and graphics of all ship strike management zones currently in effect.

Reminder: Approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, at 978-281-9175

Read the full release here

2019 Federal Funding Opportunity for NOAA’s New England Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Grants

January 29, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

he NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region has released details of the FY19 New England Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program funding opportunity. A total of roughly $250,000, subject to appropriations, may be available to fund three to five projects.

Applications are due by February 19, 2019. The full Federal Funding Opportunity is now available; it includes comprehensive information about eligibility and the application process. Information on the application process can also be found on grants.gov and our funding opportunities page.

B-WET is an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, experiential learning for K-12 school students. B-WET administers a competitive funding process that promotes Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). MWEEs are multi-stage activities within formal K-12 programs that include learning both outdoors and in the classroom. Funded projects provide MWEEs for students and related professional development for teachers.

New England B-WET focuses on the priorities and challenges facing New England watersheds by helping students and teachers apply scientific methods and tools to understand and appreciate their local watershed system. B-WET encourages students to become more interested in science, technology, engineering, and math. By focusing on watersheds where they live and by participating in personally relevant stewardship projects, students and teachers can become knowledgeable stewards of their local environment.

Read the full release here

NOAA Asks Mariners to Avoid Group of 100 Endangered Whales

January 29, 2019 — The federal government says there is a large aggregation of an endangered species of whale south of Nantucket, and mariners should avoid it for the safety of the animals.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the group of 100 North Atlantic right whales was seen in the area in mid-January. It’s asking mariners to route around the area or transit through at 10 knots or less. The management area is in effect until Wednesday.

Read the full story at CapeCod.com

Fishery Managers Begin Unsnarling Mess Left by Shutdown

January 29, 2019 — Federal fishing managers are beginning the process of determining how the nation’s harvest of wild fish has been impacted by the government shutdown.

The New England Fishery Management Council is meeting this week in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The council is one of several charged by the feds with crafting fishing regulations and managing fisheries.

Members of the council said Tuesday their meeting this week will primarily be about determining how the 35-day federal shutdown has affected fishery management plans. The shutdown left the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration mostly shuttered, and that halted the scientific work that managers rely on to write regulations.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at U.S. News