Saving Seafood

NOAA advances efforts to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

November 15, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA Fisheries released two draft programmatic environmental impact statements (PEIS) to support the identification of proposed Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico. The public is invited to review and submit comments on the draft statements from November 22, 2024, through February 20, 2025.

In Southern California, NOAA experts outlined up to 10 locations as proposed AOAs, with eight situated in the Santa Barbara Channel and two in Santa Monica Bay, each ranging in size from 500 to 2,000 acres and totaling up to 16,500 acres. The draft impact statement considers multiple scenarios, including the potential impacts of seaweed and shellfish aquaculture only, and the potential impacts of seaweed, shellfish and finfish.

In the Gulf of Mexico, the proposed AOAs include three locations off the coast of Texas and one off the coast of Louisiana, each ranging in size from 500 to 2,000 acres and totaling 6,500 acres. The draft impact statement analyzes five areas for various aquaculture types, including shellfish, finfish and seaweed.

“With climate change posing risks to America’s food security, aquaculture offers a pathway to grow climate resilience,” said NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit. “Identifying areas suitable for sustainable aquaculture is a forward-looking step toward strengthening climate-smart food systems.” 

The publication of the draft statements marks a major milestone in NOAA’s multi-year initiative to identify areas that may be environmentally, socially and economically viable for supporting multiple commercial aquaculture operations. Taking this step builds upon extensive scientific review, spatial planning and public engagement to ensure responsible ocean stewardship while promoting sustainable domestic aquaculture. 

The location of aquaculture farms is critical to their sustainability. In support of identifying viable areas for aquaculture, NOAA invested in 19 new scientific products on topics including biosecurity and disease, genetic risk, engineering, economics, social vulnerability and the well-being of coastal communities. 

The draft statements also draw from AOA atlases for Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico that provide the most comprehensive spatial analysis ever conducted for U.S. ocean areas, with more than 200 data layers covering environmental, economic, social and cultural considerations. These atlases — together with thorough scientific review and public input collected during the past four years — offer essential insights that guided the development of the draft PEIS. 

NOAA is also working to identify areas in Alaska state waters. Together, these efforts could bolster U.S. food security and coastal communities in the face of a changing climate. While the identification of these areas offers valuable data for aquaculture growers, all proposed operations must still undergo the full state and federal permitting processes before beginning construction. 

“Since its inception, the aquaculture opportunity area process has been rooted in science and informed by public input,” said Danielle Blacklock, director of NOAA’s Office of Aquaculture. “NOAA has made significant efforts to engage constituents each step of the way, by soliciting comments and shaping our actions to best serve the American public.”

About the public comment period

Both draft PEIS are open for public comment via the Federal Register from November 22, 2024, through February 20, 2025. Virtual public listening sessions will be held for both Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico, where the public is welcome to provide comments. Comments received will be assessed and considered by NOAA Fisheries to prepare Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements for both regions. 

More information on the draft PEIS for Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico is available on the NOAA website.

Researchers start estimating fish biomass using DNA

November 15, 2024 — Researchers looking to estimate biomass of multiple Alaska fish species say it is now possible to estimate fish biomass for more than one species at the same time using environmental DNA found in sea water.

In a report released by NOAA Fisheries on Oct. 31, Kimberly Ledger – a research biologist with the Auke Bay Laboratories of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center and lead author of the study – said researchers had learned they could accurately quantify species composition and estimate biomass for different species of cod and pollock at the same time using eDNA.

Read the full article at The Cordova Times

Breathing in Climate Change: International Collaboration to Study Sea Scallops in a Changing Environment

November 14, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In September 2024, my colleague Shannon Meseck and I took a road trip up north to Canada, to visit a research lab in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. The St. Andrews Biological Station is a part of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian equivalent to NOAA Fisheries. Though the oldest of Canada’s Atlantic research facilities, the lab features state-of-the-art seawater systems with capacity to do climate and aquatic research.

This project was a transboundary collaboration with climate scientist Helen Gurney-Smith to study climate change stressors on Atlantic sea scallop larvae. It was funded by the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. The larval period, typically the first 3 weeks of a sea scallop’s life, is particularly challenging for bivalve shellfish because they are planktonic, or free-floating in the water column. During this period, larvae are subject to heavy predation and are transported through ocean currents. The water they are exposed to is constantly changing with environmental conditions, and pulses of warm and/or low pH water are becoming more common with climate change.

One way we can test how larvae respond to changes in environmental conditions is by measuring their respiration rate. As with all animals, sea scallops breathe oxygen and release carbon dioxide. The oxygen they breathe is dissolved in seawater, and we can measure the drop in the oxygen concentration of that water over time with specialized equipment known as respiration chambers. Changes in respiration rate indicate physiological stress. We hypothesized that respiration rate may change when sea scallop larvae are exposed to non-ideal seawater conditions.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

New England herring fishery restricted through year’s end

November 14, 2024 — Federal fishing regulators are limiting the amount of herring that fishermen can catch off New England until the end of the year. The fish is used for food and bait.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it’s implementing a 2,000-pound herring possession limit per trip in the inshore Gulf of Maine through Dec. 31. The inshore Gulf of Maine, known as Atlantic Herring Management Area 1A, touches coastal Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

The agency says it’s taking the step because 92% of the catch limit in the area will have been harvested Wednesday.

The catch limit goes into effect Thursday at 12:01 a.m. Vessels that enter port before 12:01 a.m. Thursday may land and sell more than 2,000 pound of herring from Management Area 1A from that trip, provided that catch is landed in accordance with state management measures.

Also effective Thursday at 12:01 a.m., federally permitted dealers may not attempt to or purchase, receive, possess, have custody or control of, sell, barter, trade, or transfer more than 2,000 pound of herring per trip or calendar day from Area 1A.

NOAA Fisheries has declared Atlantic herring as overfished and has created a plan that will require years for the stock to rebuild.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries 

2024 Research for Pacific Protected Species

November 14 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

More than $936,000 in Inflation Reduction Act funding supported our team of researchers from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s Marine Mammal Laboratory. We collected data on the four species of ice-associated seals in Alaska: the bearded seal, the ringed seal, the ribbon seal, and the spotted seal. By tracking their movements and health, we can better understand how changes in the Arctic—such as reduced sea ice—may be affecting them.

Our team used the charter vessel R/V Norseman II to reach the seals where they haul out onto the sea ice in the Bering Sea. We launched small boats to capture seals on the ice. Then we recorded measurements and weights, collected tissue samples, and tagged seals with satellite-linked biologgers. We also attached satellite tags to some seals to track movements and foraging behaviors.

To detect any contaminants or pollutants the seals might have been exposed to, we collected blood, whiskers, fur, and scat. This also helped us study the seals’ health and diet. Our teams then checked blubber thickness to measure body condition. We used technology such as drones to observe and even measure some seals without disturbing them.

This data, collected during many expeditions, suggests that the body condition of spotted and ribbon seal pups and adult ribbon seals in spring has declined since at least 2007. This decline may be related to observed changes in their environment, including climate change-related reductions in sea ice cover. The loss of sea ice is important to ice-associated seals that use it as a platform for giving birth, nursing, and molting.

Dr. Michael Cameron, Polar Ecosystems Program manager, shared his insights into the survey: “There is so much valuable research work to be done throughout the agency, and not enough time available on NOAA’s research ships, requiring difficult decisions. This year, with the help of Inflation Reduction Act funding, we were able to plan and conduct our ideal research expedition with a dedicated charter vessel for the first time. We extended our expedition to more than 40 days, which allowed us to encompass the periods of both seal pupping and molting. Essentially, we got to plan the cruise that we’ve always wanted.”

“Our repeated presence in this remote area has provided important data for research on issues that are also a great concern to Alaskan native hunters and fishermen,” said Heather Ziel, Chief Scientist for the research cruise from the Polar Ecosystems Program. “It is crucial that we continue conducting these surveys to monitor the environment as it continues to change.”

Green Sea Turtle and Monk Seal Research in the Pacific Island

NOAA Fisheries is bolstering our survey enterprise and accelerating our data collection efforts. This will allow us to better manage protected species such as ice seals, Hawaiian monk seals, and green sea turtles, along with cetaceans such as whales and dolphins off the West Coast. These surveys are increasing the number and types of protected marine resource observations we can make.

An investment of $7.4 million in Inflation Reduction Act funds during the 2023–2024 fiscal year for these surveys is helping to fund research. It is also ensuring we can collect and analyze broader and more accurate data in key marine ecosystems.

Importance of Research Surveys

The key to our science mission is collecting and using the best available data to understand what actions are needed to safeguard America’s valuable marine resources and coastal communities. For marine life facing the effects of climate change, this research marks a vital step in analyzing changing conditions and informing management decisions.

Our at-sea research vessels are an integral part of this effort. In extremely remote locations like the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, securing ship time is challenging. In Alaska, only certain ships can reach distant locations on the ice.

With Inflation Reduction Act funding, we conducted three at-sea surveys for protected resources on charter vessels in three regions this year:

  • Alaska (R/V Norseman II)
  • Pacific Islands (M/V Imua and M/V Kahana II)
  • West Coast (R/V Bold Horizon)

With these surveys, we are taking a fresh approach among the three science centers to collaborate on planning and prioritizing rotating support for protected resource surveys. This new approach allowed our teams to reach otherwise inaccessible areas of sea ice in Alaska and arrive at the ideal time for research. The flexibility of charter vessels also enabled us to plan safer, more efficient trips.

Ice Seal Research in Alaska

More than $936,000 in Inflation Reduction Act funding supported our team of researchers from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s Marine Mammal Laboratory. We collected data on the four species of ice-associated seals in Alaska: the bearded seal, the ringed seal, the ribbon seal, and the spotted seal. By tracking their movements and health, we can better understand how changes in the Arctic—such as reduced sea ice—may be affecting them.

Our team used the charter vessel R/V Norseman II to reach the seals where they haul out onto the sea ice in the Bering Sea. We launched small boats to capture seals on the ice. Then we recorded measurements and weights, collected tissue samples, and tagged seals with satellite-linked biologgers. We also attached satellite tags to some seals to track movements and foraging behaviors.

To detect any contaminants or pollutants the seals might have been exposed to, we collected blood, whiskers, fur, and scat. This also helped us study the seals’ health and diet. Our teams then checked blubber thickness to measure body condition. We used technology such as drones to observe and even measure some seals without disturbing them.

This data, collected during many expeditions, suggests that the body condition of spotted and ribbon seal pups and adult ribbon seals in spring has declined since at least 2007. This decline may be related to observed changes in their environment, including climate change-related reductions in sea ice cover. The loss of sea ice is important to ice-associated seals that use it as a platform for giving birth, nursing, and molting.

Dr. Michael Cameron, Polar Ecosystems Program manager, shared his insights into the survey: “There is so much valuable research work to be done throughout the agency, and not enough time available on NOAA’s research ships, requiring difficult decisions. This year, with the help of Inflation Reduction Act funding, we were able to plan and conduct our ideal research expedition with a dedicated charter vessel for the first time. We extended our expedition to more than 40 days, which allowed us to encompass the periods of both seal pupping and molting. Essentially, we got to plan the cruise that we’ve always wanted.”

“Our repeated presence in this remote area has provided important data for research on issues that are also a great concern to Alaskan native hunters and fishermen,” said Heather Ziel, Chief Scientist for the research cruise from the Polar Ecosystems Program. “It is crucial that we continue conducting these surveys to monitor the environment as it continues to change.”

NOAA Fisheries Announces Action Plan to Enhance the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program

November 14, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In November 2023, NOAA Fisheries launched a comprehensive review of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) to explore opportunities for improvement. We engaged with a diverse set of more than 7,000 stakeholders, including seafood industry professionals, foreign governments, researchers, and civil society groups. We gathered feedback on how to enhance the program’s effectiveness. This input shaped an action plan designed to strengthen its impact, focusing on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and bolstering seafood traceability.

While implementing the action plan, we will continue to support industry to minimize disruptions in seafood supply chains, reduce compliance challenges, identify supply chain risks, and increase confidence in the process. NOAA Administrator and Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Dr. Richard Spinrad states, “Our goals are to strengthen the U.S. domestic seafood industry by promoting fair trade practices in the global seafood supply chain while building capacity to maintain and grow the Program.  Once implemented, the changes to our Seafood Import Monitoring Program that we are announcing will fundamentally improve our ability to prevent and deter IUU fish and fish products from entering our market and will contribute to U.S. government efforts to address labor abuses in the seafood supply chain.”

Key Action Plan Goals

We will begin to implement parts of its action plan now, while other components will take more time. “NOAA Fisheries remains committed to implementing an impactful tool in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing while upholding the integrity of U.S. seafood imports,” said Alexa Cole, Director of the Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce at NOAA Fisheries. Throughout this process, the existing SIMP requirements and reporting obligations will remain in effect. The actions outlined in the plan aim to achieve several key goals:

Enhance NOAA Fisheries’ Ability to Combat IUU Fishing Through Improved Traceability and Risk Detection, Strengthening the Sustainability of Seafood Globally

We aim to improve seafood traceability and prevent IUU fish and fish products from entering U.S. markets. Key planned actions include:

  • Expanding SIMP traceability requirements to all U.S. seafood imports by creating a two-tier system that prioritizes species based on their risk level
  • Enabling pre-entry screening of SIMP imports
  • Developing a pilot program for a voluntary government-to-government import data program

Contribute to Government-Wide Efforts to Address Forced Labor in the Global Seafood Supply Chain

We will work with partner agencies to take a more proactive approach to identify and prevent products produced with forced labor from entering the U.S. market. This includes:

  • Strengthening partnerships with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Labor
  • Collecting additional data to address forced labor risks in seafood supply chains

“With improved data sharing, transparency, and traceability, SIMP will elevate U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s ability to protect the U.S. economy, global food security, and the sustainability of our shared ocean resources to a new level.  Having more information about seafood shipments earlier in the process will also strengthen our efforts to combat forced labor in the global seafood supply chain,” said AnnMarie R. Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Trade.

Strengthen the Integrity and Fairness of Global Seafood Supply Chains by Promoting Fair Seafood Trade Practices Around the World

To promote fair trade, the program will address administrative challenges and simplify reporting procedures. This includes:

  • Updating permitting and reporting procedures
  • Modifying current data requirements
  • Developing additional SIMP compliance materials
  • Modernizing the National Permit System

Improve Implementation and Build Capacity to Maintain and Grow the Program

We are strengthening our internal operations by stabilizing and expanding the program team and enhancing data systems to better process and analyze seafood import information. These improvements will increase the program’s ability to identify risks and conduct more thorough reviews.

“The NOAA Fisheries action plan serves as a roadmap to bolster and enhance SIMP. We are fully committed to strengthening confidence in the process, driving greater transparency, and maximizing its overall effectiveness,” says Janet Coit, NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator.

Next Steps

We are prioritizing the implementation of these changes, with plans to issue a proposed rule, with an opportunity for public comment. A final rule will follow thereafter, with internal improvements rolling out as resources allow.

We will host webinars to discuss the action plan and next steps on November 15 at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT/9:00 AM HST and November 20 at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT/9:00 AM HST. For those unable to attend a webinar, a podcast will be available on our website November 21, 2024.

For questions, contact: iuu.fishing@noaa.gov

NOAA unveils new action plan to expand SIMP after scrapping earlier proposal

November 14, 2024 — NOAA Fisheries has unveiled an action plan for its Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) that the agency said has a renewed focus on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, enhancing seafood traceability, and expanding traceability requirements to all U.S. seafood imports.

NOAA first created SIMP in 2016 under the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama as a means of imposing stricter monitoring of seafood imports, requiring at-risk seafood species to be tracked to its source and properly labeled. NOAA announced a major proposal on 28 December 2022 that would have doubled the species the program targets – a push that ultimately failed after NOAA decided to withdraw the additional rules in November 2023.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Biden-Harris Administration announces plans to support seven multi-year projects to advance climate resilience in remote Alaskan communities

November 14, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced it will award $1 million for seven recommended multi-year projects supporting remote Alaska communities through the Alaska Fisheries Science Center Indigenous Engagement Program. This investment is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a crucial part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda.

The recommended projects will advance NOAA Fisheries’ ability to support climate resilience and food security in remote Alaska communities, engage Indigenous Knowledge holder voices in NOAA Fisheries’ science and management and strengthen collaborations with tribal governments and Indigenous communities. The first year of funding will be distributed in 2025 and totals approximately $500,000.

“Just treatment, respect for tribal sovereignty and climate resiliency benefits all people and communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Department of Commerce and NOAA will continue to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into our existing science and form partnerships, internships and educational opportunities that create equitable exchanges and help communities take action against climate change.”

NOAA Fisheries is recommending funding for the following projects:

  • The University of Alaska Fairbanks plans to support the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub’s development of new education, outreach and communication strategies and products—such as a multimedia StoryMap—around Indigenous Knowledge and marine resources in a rapidly-changing Arctic. The project aims to facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops with Hub observers to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge in NOAA Fisheries’ management of marine resources. The University is expected to receive approximately $89,000 for the first year of this project.
  • The University of Alaska Fairbanks also plans to elevate Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives from underserved Alaska Native communities in ice seal co-management and recovery planning for ringed and bearded seals through the Ice Seal Committee and Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub. The project will leverage existing Indigenous Knowledge networks and build partnerships to guide NOAA Fisheries in the equitable engagement of Indigenous partners, and advance understanding of the climate resilience of ice seals. The University is expected to receive approximately $99,000 for the first year of this project.
  • Sealaska plans to use Indigenous Knowledge to document changes in the oceanographic processes and marine ecosystems from human and climate-related impacts, in order to understand their effects on subsistence resource systems in Native communities in Southeast Alaska. This knowledge could be used to develop a mapping and monitoring methodology and form a cohort of Indigenous Knowledge experts for future collaborations. Sealaska is expected to receive approximately $110,000 for the first year of this project.
  • The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska intends to add a relationship building and knowledge sharing component to their Southeast Tribal Environmental Forum and will be using funding to address several common barriers faced by tribal environmental professionals across Southeast Alaska. This will help encourage tribal support and representation in the Forum and work towards the goal of collectively addressing marine and coastal concerns and priorities. The Council is expected to receive approximately $67,000 for the first year of this project.
  • The Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association plans to implement a network of river water monitoring stations along the lower Yukon River to collect data important to the management of Pacific salmon and for the health and well-being of people in lower river communities. This research will document the winter habitat use of juvenile Chinook salmon. The Association is expected to receive approximately $54,000 for the first year of this project.
  • The University of Alaska Fairbanks plans to work with Indigenous partners to build their use of environmental DNA as a resource management tool. This will strengthen the existing research partnership in the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim region, support autonomy for Indigenous communities engaging with NOAA Fisheries and help with salmon research. The University is expected to receive approximately $47,000 for the first year of this project.
  • Kawerak, Inc and the Caleb Scholars Program intends to support an annual gathering so program participants can share insights related to conservation advocacy and facilitate engagement with peers, mentors, guest speakers and members of the community. The advocacy work of Caleb Scholars helps ensure Indigenous input is part of creating policy, management practices, climate-informed studies and research in the Arctic. This gathering is an opportunity for participants to strengthen and rejuvenate vital connections to their families, community and land. The program is expected to receive approximately $34,000 for the first year of this project.

“We are excited to support these important research projects, which advance equity and environmental justice while enabling NOAA Fisheries to meet our research mission,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to building climate resilience in communities on the front lines of climate change in the Arctic, and Indigenous Knowledge is essential to this effort.”  

Allocation of this funding is planned for fiscal year 2025. NOAA Fisheries first announced this funding opportunity in February 2024, stating there would be funding initially available and the remaining funding could potentially be available in future years for continuing work. This funding is part of the historic $3.3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act investments first announced in June 2023, which is focused on ensuring America’s communities and economies are ready for and resilient to climate change. 

Visit the Inflation Reduction Act website to learn about current and future funding opportunities.

$9.2 Million in Inflation Reduction Act Funds Awarded to Academic Partners for Pacific Salmon Recovery Science

November 14, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries awarded more than $9.2 million in grants funded by the Inflation Reduction Act to academic partners that will help recover threatened and endangered Pacific salmon. These grants are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s unprecedented $27 million investment in Pacific salmon recovery science. They will support research that will build upon decades of knowledge from NOAA and its state, tribal, and academic partners.

“The Inflation Reduction Act funding allows us to engage our academic partners and make rapid scientific advancement in critical areas,” said Steve Lindley, director of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center’s Fisheries Ecology Division in Santa Cruz, California.

We awarded six grants to four NOAA cooperative institutes. The largest ($7.48 million) was awarded to the University of California at Santa Cruz via the Cooperative Institute for Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Systems. UC Santa Cruz researchers across disciplines, including molecular ecology, fisheries biology, and climate science, will work closely with NOAA scientists through the Fisheries Collaborative Program. They will produce transformative research in support of our science-based salmon recovery plans.

“Transforming the future for Pacific salmon requires new thinking, and that is where the UCSC-NOAA collaboration really shines,” said Eric Palkovacs, professor and director of the Fisheries Collaborative Program at UC Santa Cruz. “We have fully integrated research teams working on the biggest challenges, developing and field testing new restoration approaches.”

Advancing Science to Save Salmon

Salmon exist across a range of ecosystems, from mountain rivers to the open ocean, and face a variety of threats throughout their lives. This presents enormous challenges for their recovery. This funding will help scientists better understand these pressures, strengthening current knowledge and advancing the cutting edge of salmon science to support recovery.

“The aim of the work is to create new tools that can evaluate the effectiveness and cost of different recovery strategies and fill critical information gaps,” said Lindley. “This will include work across all the habitats that salmon use over the course of their lives—rivers, estuaries, and the ocean.”

The grants include support for undergraduate and graduate student researchers and postdoctoral scholars, representing a crucial investment by NOAA in training the next generation of scientists.

“I am very fortunate to collaborate with such an incredible network of scientists at both UC Santa Cruz and NOAA,” said Paige Gardner, a graduate student researcher at UC Santa Cruz.

Gardner is studying the genetic underpinnings of heat tolerance in steelhead to reveal which populations might be most resilient to climate change. Her work, alongside dozens of other Inflation Reduction Act-funded projects, will inform cohesive tools to improve forecasts of salmon returns and identify impactful recovery actions.

Partners in Salmon Recovery

The other cooperative institutes are located at the University of Washington, Oregon State University, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. NOAA partners with 16 cooperative institutes, which include 80 universities across 33 states.

Salmon are a vital resource along the West Coast, with important cultural, economic and ecosystem benefits. Overfishing, climate change, predation, and loss of habitat have pushed some populations to the brink of extinction. Currently, salmon and steelhead are considered threatened or endangered across much of their native range along the Pacific Coast. NOAA is striving to bring these populations back to sustainable levels to support fisheries, tribal treaty obligations, and ecosystems.

 

Direct Marketing: Another Tool to Increase Resiliency of U.S. Seafood

November 13, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

At NOAA Fisheries, we know U.S. seafood is good for people, good for our planet, and good for our economy. But we know less about where it goes, how it gets there, and who benefits along the way. By definition, the shortest supply chains are achieved through direct marketing. Seafood harvesters engaged in direct marketing sell their wild-caught or farm-raised seafood directly to consumers, fish markets, restaurants, or institutions without going through a wholesaler or distributor. We caught up with direct marketing operations on the East and West Coasts to learn about how they are building community connections and increasing access to sustainable seafood.

Miss Gina’s Fresh Shrimp: Building Relationships Across the Community

Captain Allen Smith has been shrimping off the coast of North Carolina since 1984. For decades, he sold his shrimp to the local fish house. When shrimp prices crashed in the mid-2000s, driving many shrimpers out of business, he wasn’t ready to stop. On a whim, he and his then-wife set up a chair and an ice chest with 50 pounds of shrimp in front of their home on Highway 70. Gina was sold out of shrimp before Allen finished mowing the lawn.

Today, Miss Gina’s Fresh Shrimp maintains a small roadside stand with a loyal customer base in Beaufort, North Carolina. Allen and his son, Thomas Smith, captain three day boats, shrimping primarily in Core and Pamlico Sounds and occasionally offshore. Thomas’ wife, Monica Smith, handles the sales. The Smiths also employ a full-time deckhand and several part-time sales assistants.

At first, the customer base for Miss Gina’s consisted of their neighbors in eastern Carteret County. But as word spread, the business attracted seafood lovers farther inland, as well as tourists visiting the shore to angle for their own seafood.

“Once we became a big name, I started noticing our shrimp were going everywhere,” Monica explains. She clarifies that Miss Gina’s doesn’t ship-–the customers transport the shrimp themselves. Eventually Monica bought a map of the United States and started adding a sticker each time a customer mentioned they were taking the shrimp home to a new state. “Last I checked we were only missing six states!”

Key to this expansion has been social media marketing. Monica posts photos of the fresh catch and advertises the products and prices daily. Customers can comment, message, or call with requests. They can then arrange to pick up the shrimp from the stand or from the box truck Miss Gina’s drives to the towns of Goldsboro and Clayton most Saturdays. Recently, the business expanded to offering bay scallops and clams from other vessels and oysters from local farms.

Because she sells directly to customers, Monica has the freedom to set the prices week to week, depending on the catch. The flexibility of direct marketing, and the lasting relationships it creates with customers, strengthen the resilience of the business.

Direct marketing, Monica emphasizes, is all about relationships. (“I have phenomenal relationships with our customers!”) She learns her regular customers’ preferences and accommodates after-hours pick ups at the stand. And she ensures that Miss Gina’s gives back to the local community, sponsoring fundraisers and organizing meal drives. The result is a base of customers who value the business’s survival. “I have customers who will come buy extra shrimp from me if they know I need to move them, just to support us.”