Saving Seafood

Biden administration announces USD 95 million for fish passage projects

November 5, 2024 — The U.S. government has announced another USD 95 million (EUR 87 million) in funding for new fish passage projects, some of which is specifically dedicated to Tribal priorities.

“These investments reflect a continuation of decades of work by NOAA Fisheries to recover threatened and endangered migratory fish and support the sustainability of commercial, Tribal, and recreational fisheries,” NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit said in a statement. “Our work with Tribal organizations to improve fish passage is vital for building long-term tribal capacity to sustain and manage culturally significant resources and habitats.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

‘A post-Chevron world’: DC Circuit wrestles with agency authority in fishing boat spat

November 5, 2024 — A D.C. Circuit panel grappled Monday with the fallout from the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn a longstanding legal doctrine which allowed federal judges to defer to a government agency’s interpretation of a challenged statue.

The high court ruled 6-3 in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo that the doctrine, known as Chevron deference, should be overturned and that federal judges themselves should instead “exercise their independent judgment” when an agency oversteps its authority.

That case was originally argued before the D.C. Circuit in 2021, the appellate circuit that deals the most with challenges against federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and, in this case, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

In its decision to overturn Chevron, the high court remanded the case to the three-judge panel to reassess claims by a coalition of fishing companies that the government was wrong to require they pay the wages of independent “at-sea monitors.”

Read the full article at Courthouse News Service

What’s in the Water Might Be A New Way to Measure the Amount of Fish Present

November 1, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Around the world, standard ways to measure fish abundance and biomass to manage commercial, recreational and subsistence fisheries rely heavily on deriving estimates from fish caught in research surveys and commercial fishing nets and other collected biological data. In a new study, NOAA Fisheries scientists, in partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, show that it is possible to estimate fish biomass for more than one species at the same time, using environmental DNA (eDNA). They found they can estimate the abundance of ecologically and commercially-important Alaska fish species—Arctic cod, walleye pollock, and Pacific cod—which are difficult to distinguish in eDNA samples.

eDNA is the genetic material shed by organisms into the surrounding environment. For example, as a fish swims through the ocean, its DNA is shed and accumulates in the water around it. Some sources of eDNA include scales, skin cells, mucus, feces, and gametes. This genetic material can be recovered from environmental samples.

“Through our laboratory studies, we learned that we could accurately quantify species compositions and estimate biomass for different species of cod and pollock at the same time using eDNA,” said Kimberly Ledger, lead author and research biologist with Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s Auke Bay Laboratories. “It is possible to apply these methods to other species to improve the quantitative utility of eDNA.”

Benefits of Using eDNA Studies for Stock Assessments

A central goal of managing species is understanding where they live (their distribution) and how many of them exist (their biomass or abundance). Accurately estimating this information is difficult. It relies on making inferences about an entire community based on observations of a subset of individuals. NOAA Fisheries gets this information from fish collected in nets during research surveys and from data collected by fishery observers on commercial fishing boats and in processing plants.

With eDNA scientists are able to detect and quantify fish DNA from the environment to help estimate species abundance and biomass from just a sample of water. This revolutionary new method that relies on eDNA is highly versatile, capable of detecting and identifying a wide range of species, and minimally disruptive to sensitive species.

Scientists caution that it doesn’t replace standard trawl surveys or actual sampling by fisheries observers. We we still need to collect important biological data including size, age, sex, sexual maturity and diet information, which is important for stock assessments.

However, eDNA researchers are actively working to identify ways to use this information to support management decisions with the help of stock assessment authors and quantitative ecologists.

Advancing International Atlantic Salmon Conservation by Engaging Indigenous Peoples

November 1, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Atlantic salmon hold, and have held for thousands of years, cultural and subsistence value to many Indigenous Peoples across the North Atlantic for thousands of years. Indigenous Peoples maintain tremendous knowledge passed down through generations, and this body of knowledge continues to evolve and grow. NOAA Fisheries collaborates with indigenous communities to enhance knowledge and improve Atlantic salmon restoration efforts, including our work with Wabanaki Nations on Atlantic salmon restoration. However, engagement in international efforts has been limited—until now.

International Cooperation to Conserve Salmon

The Atlantic salmon that are born and spawn in Maine rivers, traverse long distances— spanning borders and cultures—across the North Atlantic to the west coast of Greenland. There, they share feeding grounds with salmon from Canadian and southern European rivers. We need to work collectively to share knowledge that will support management decisions to support Atlantic salmon, their native habitats, and the many cultures that depend on them.

Established in 1984, the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) is a regional fisheries management organization composed of:

  • Canada
  • Denmark (in respect to the Faroe Islands and Greenland)
  • European Union
  • Iceland
  • Norway
  • Russian Federation
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

These countries have come together to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage Atlantic salmon through international cooperation. In 2022, the participating countries recognized the importance of including Indigenous Knowledge and perspective in international efforts. They agreed to prioritize enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples in NASCO. At their 2023 annual meeting, they invited Indigenous Peoples throughout the North Atlantic to share their perspectives and roles in Atlantic salmon conservation. NASCO repeatedly heard about the need to include—and the benefits from including—Indigenous voices and perspectives and Indigenous Knowledge, into their decision-making processes. Incorporating these voices and knowledge systems would lead to better informed conservation decisions.

The United States was excited to learn more about how to best enhance Indigenous engagement in NASCO. We invited discussion on this topic with federally recognized tribes in New England. We heard perspectives from representatives of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Penobscot Nation, and the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik. We then advocated for independent participation in NASCO by all interested indigenous communities. NASCO rules now allow representatives from all tribes to participate in meetings, committees, and working groups.

“The Penobscot Nation is very excited to engage in discussions at this level with NASCO members to take care of our relative, the Atlantic salmon, throughout their entire range. There is a depth of indigenous knowledge that has been absent from management discussions on the U.S. side since the inception of NASCO. Although some of our partners have done well at trying to communicate for us, there is no replacement for direct discussions with each of the Wabanaki nations,” commented Chuck Loring, Director of Penobscot Nation’s Department of Natural Resources.Image

Moving Forward Together

This unprecedented decision makes NASCO the first regional fisheries management organization in the world to formally recognize and incorporate Indigenous Peoples into their work. “NOAA Fisheries is committed to honoring the unique relationship we have with Tribal Nations,” said Shannon Dionne, head of the U.S. delegation to NASCO and NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region. “The rules that NASCO adopted in June are a significant step forward towards inclusivity and representation and strengthen our ability to conserve and responsibly manage Atlantic salmon. We look forward to strengthening our relationships with Indigenous Peoples in this forum as we work together on these important issues.”

U.S. wild-caught shrimp is a sustainable choice

November 1, 2024 — U.S.-harvested shrimp has long been an economic backbone and cultural icon for commercial fishing communities, particularly in the Gulf and Southeastern coasts. Known for being nutritious and downright delicious, it’s a sustainable choice that’s not just good on the plate but also responsibly harvested. With the United States setting the global standard for shrimp trawl bycatch reduction, our shrimp fishery is designed to safeguard both marine ecosystems and the fishing industry’s future. But despite this commitment to sustainability, our shrimp industry is struggling to keep afloat. Let’s break down the facts about wild-caught U.S. shrimp and why this fishery is worth supporting.

What Makes Wild-Caught U.S. Shrimp Sustainable?

Thanks to solid science and a dynamic management approach, U.S. fisheries are among the largest and most sustainable in the world, and our shrimp fishery is no exception. NOAA Fisheries carefully manages shrimp harvested here to protect the long-term health of the shrimp populations and their ecosystems. White, pink, and brown shrimp are the backbone of the industry in the Southeast, providing jobs and sustaining generations of fishing families.

Shrimp are fast-growing crustaceans, often hitting 7 to 8 inches within just two years, making them resilient to overfishing. Monitoring programs like fishery-independent surveys and stock assessments help NOAA Fisheries determine the shrimp populations’ health and manage their harvest. Temporary closures are sometimes enforced to allow shrimp to migrate offshore and reach larger, more valuable sizes, ensuring they meet economic goals while maintaining population levels.

Read the full article at National Fisherman

Two NOAA Fish Passage Funding Opportunities Now Open, One Focused on Tribes

October 31, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA is announcing two funding opportunities for fish passage, including one funding opportunity focused on tribes. This significant funding is available under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Projects selected through these opportunities will help support sustainable fisheries, recover threatened and endangered migratory fish, and strengthen the resilience of coastal and Great Lakes communities and tribes. This is the third and final round of these funding opportunities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Through these two competitions, we will prioritize projects that were developed with inclusive practices and incorporate meaningful strategies to engage a diverse range of community groups, including tribes.

Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal

Up to $75 million in funding is available through the Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal funding opportunity. Projects selected through this opportunity will reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for fish around the country.

This funding will support the locally led removal of dams and other in-stream barriers. Selected projects will sustain our nation’s fisheries and contribute to the recovery of threatened and endangered species. They may also provide community and economic benefits, such as jobs and climate resilience.

NOAA will accept proposals between $750,000 and $8 million for the entire award, with typical funding anticipated to range from $3 million to $5 million. Applications are due by February 10, 2025.

Restoring Priority Tribal Fish Passage through Barrier Removal

Concurrently, up to $20 million in funding is available for fish passage and tribal capacity building through the Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal funding opportunity. This funding will support U.S. federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and tribal organizations in implementing on-the-ground fish passage work and in building tribal organizational capacity.

Selected projects will reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for tribally important species. They may also enhance community climate resilience by removing or improving aging infrastructure.

NOAA will accept proposals between $300,000 and $6 million for the entire award, with typical funding anticipated to range from $500,000 to $4 million. Applications are due by February 27, 2025.

Tribes are eligible to apply to both funding opportunities.

Fish Passage and NOAA

Every year, millions of fish migrate to their spawning and rearing habitats to reproduce. Some fish need to swim thousands of miles through oceans and rivers to reach their destinations. They are often blocked from completing their journey by barriers like dams and culverts. When fish can’t reach their habitat, they can’t reproduce and maintain or grow their populations. As a result, many fish populations have declined.

NOAA works to reopen these migratory pathways, restoring access to healthy habitat for fish. Our efforts help recover threatened and endangered migratory fish and support the sustainability of commercial and recreational fisheries. They can also eliminate or reduce public safety hazards, improve climate resilience, and provide opportunities for recreation such as fishing and boating.

NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation has a long history conducting habitat restoration efforts with large-scale competitive funding opportunities and expert technical assistance through our Community-based Restoration Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act provide a historic opportunity for us to continue supporting fisheries, protected resources, and coastal communities. To date, we have funded 214 awards totaling $985 million through two rounds of funding competitions.

New Tool Provides Insight into Coastal Community Well-Being

October 30, 2024 — NOAA Fisheries is working to integrate equity and environmental justice into all we do. Gaining a better understanding of the people who rely on fisheries in the United States has never been more important.

NOAA Fisheries social scientists have launched the new Community Environmental Justice Explorer web tool. It describes environmental justice concerns for nearly 5,000 coastal communities in the United States. By visualizing indicators, such as fishing dependence, gentrification pressure, and poverty, this tool creates a dashboard to explore and compare the different pressures coastal communities can face.

This web tool helps managers, researchers, and the public understand environmental justice concerns. One future user, Corey Ridings, who represents the open California Seat of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, shares her perspective: “Equitable and just U.S. fisheries require a transparent understanding and knowledge of who is benefiting from our ocean. Tools such as the Community Environmental Justice Explorer can help us get there by supporting communities in educating themselves, participating in decision-making, and holding their government accountable.”

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries 

MAINE: Maine groups receive federal grants to help train the next generation of fishers

October 30, 2024 — NOAA Fisheries has awarded USD 387,404 (EUR 356,478) to two Maine-based groups to help train the next generation of fishers.

“Maine is known around the world for our proud fishing heritage thanks to the generations of hardworking men and women who have sustained it,” Maine’s congressional delegation said in a joint statement. “These investments in youth workforce development will help ensure that young Mainers entering the commercial fishing sector have the skills and support they need to succeed, preserving the strength of this vital industry now and into the future.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Biden-Harris Administration, NOAA make $95 million available for fish passage as part of Investing in America agenda

October 30, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA Fisheries announced two funding opportunities totaling $95 million through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to support new fish passage projects, with one focused on tribes. Projects will help protect and restore migrating fish and their habitats, and support communities and economies that depend on these resources.

“Thanks to President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this investment will further NOAA’s efforts to work with partners to strengthen safe passage for migratory fish, ensure healthy and sustainable fisheries, support local economies, and help boost communities’ resilience to climate change,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. 

Every year, millions of fish attempt to migrate to their spawning and rearing habitats to reproduce. They are often blocked from completing their journey by human-made barriers, such as dams and culverts. When fish cannot reach their habitat, they cannot reproduce and maintain or grow their populations. Fish passage projects reopen these pathways and are important for the protection and restoration of migrating fish and their habitats. 

The two funding opportunities announced today are:

“These investments reflect a continuation of decades of work by NOAA Fisheries to  recover threatened and endangered migratory fish and support the sustainability of commercial, tribal and recreational fisheries,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “Our work with tribal organizations to improve fish passage is vital for building long-term tribal capacity to sustain and manage culturally significant resources and habitats.”

These competitions will prioritize projects that demonstrate a broad base of community support. Projects developed with inclusive practices that incorporate meaningful strategies to engage a diverse range of community groups, including tribes and underserved communities, will also be prioritized. 

Tribes are eligible to apply to both funding opportunities, to support barrier removal efforts that benefit tribally-important migratory fish and to build tribal organizational capacity to participate in developing current and future fish passage projects.

NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation has run four funding opportunities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. To date, the program has funded 214 awards totaling $985 million through these competitions.

The application deadline for the Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Funding Opportunity is February 10, 2025 and the deadline for applications for the Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage Funding Opportunity is February 27, 2025. 

Additional information is available on the NOAA Fisheries website.