Saving Seafood

Exail’s DriX USV Conducts First-of-its-Kind Survey in U.S Windfarm Areas

March 12, 2024 — Exail’s DriX Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) recently completed a first-of-its-kind fisheries research survey to assess the impact on biomass and fish stock before, during and after wind farm construction.

Equipped with a SeapiX-R 3D high resolution multibeam echosounder from Exail, two Kongsberg EK80 single beam echosounders and a Nortek ADCP, the DriX USV performed this survey off the coast of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York for NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Research Science Center (NEFSC), in close collaboration with NOAA USxOC, as well as Kongsberg and Nortek.

Read the full article at The Maritime Executive

NOAA talks new proposal for Papahanaumokuakea

March 12, 2024 — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is proposing a national marine sanctuary in the marine portions of the existing Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, which is a protected area to the northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands.

According to NOAA, Papahanaumokuakea is the “largest contiguous fully protected conservation area under the U.S. flag and one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world. It encompasses 582,578 square miles of the Pacific Ocean (1,508,870 square kilometers) – an area larger than all the country’s national parks combined.”

NOAA’s superintendent of Papahanaumokuakea, Eric Roberts, joined Take2 Friday morning to explain the importance of the proposal and what the benefits could be.

Read the full article at KHON

US federal appeals court orders NOAA to review Gulf of Mexico red grouper quota allocations

March 6, 2024 — A U.S. federal appeals court is requiring NOAA to review red grouper reallocations the group made under its Amendment 53 decision issued in May 2022.

U.S. Gulf of Mexico commercial fishermen sued NOAA’s NMFS the same month, alleging the reallocation of red grouper catch shares illegally favored the recreational-fishing sector via a flawed formula that did not comply with legal requirements.  Amendment 53 reduced the commercial allocation of red grouper caught in the Gulf of Mexico to 59.3 percent – down from 76 percent – while increasing the recreational-fishing sector’s allocation from 24 percent to 40.7 percent.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Women’s History Month: Talking with Gillian Phillips

March 6, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Gillian Phillips is a community ecology technician and deckhand for our science center’s Aquaculture Systems and Ecology Branch. She’s a member of the GoPro Aquaculture Project team that uses GoPro video cameras to study how fish use aquaculture gear like oyster cages as habitat. Gillian works with a field team to collect the underwater video and then counts fish and documents fish behaviors around the oyster cages and natural rock reef habitats. Her home base is at our Milford Laboratory in Milford, Connecticut.

Can you tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up, how you got interested in science, where you went to college?

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. My interest in animals began at Zoo Atlanta. I started as a volunteer, became an intern, and eventually a seasonal zookeeper in the Wildlife Theater leading animal encounters and free-flighted bird shows. This department had a strong focus in animal training and behavior as well as animal husbandry and outreach. I studied animal science and pathobiology of veterinary sciences at the University of Connecticut. After graduating in 2013, I continued at Georgia State University where I earned a master’s degree in public health in 2015. I studied how environmental, human, and animal health all intersect. This work included studying interactions between invasive and native crustacean species in North and South America, impacts of sound/sonar on crustacean behavior, and parasitism of invasive crayfish species. My experience with animal behavior has helped me in my current role with the science center.

What do you love most about your job or your career?

The part I love most about my job is having the opportunity to be out on the water. While growing up, seeing the ocean or other large bodies of water was something that only happened on vacation. I have very fond memories of deep-sea fishing with my grandparents as a kid. Being able to record what happens underwater is like getting a view of what it is like to be a fish in Long Island Sound.

I really enjoy that our project is a large dynamic team. I’ve never been a part of a more productive team that works so well together. I remember being frustrated while doing group projects as a student, but this is nothing like that. We all have our pieces or expertise and we come together with a common goal. A helping hand is always available to forward the mission.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women scientists about a career in fisheries and/or marine science?

Don’t be afraid to try new or different things. I’ve had many opportunities to work on new things that weren’t exactly what I thought I would be doing—and that is okay! It’s great to find new passions and continue to grow as a person and a scientist. I never thought that I would work as a marine biologist, but it has been such a fulfilling endeavor. I’ve learned so much and have brought my unique perspective to the GoPro aquaculture project. I think all teams benefit from having diversity in their composition.

I also think it’s very important to have hobbies or activities that are outside of your science or work. I like to do a variety of crafts and am new to playing video games! I’m currently working on crocheting and quilting projects. I also try to stay active in music with my marching band community. I played the flute and piccolo from middle school through college. I love science but I find doing things creative helps me with my science and solving science problems!

Exclusive: World on brink of fourth mass coral reef bleaching event, NOAA says

March 5, 2024 — The world is on the verge of a fourth mass coral bleaching event which could see wide swathes of tropical reefs die, including parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said.

Marine biologists are on high alert following months of record-breaking ocean heat fuelled by climate change and the El Nino climate pattern.

“It’s looking like the entirety of the Southern Hemisphere is probably going to bleach this year,” said ecologist Derek Manzello, the coordinator of NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch which serves as the global monitoring authority on coral bleaching risk.

Read the full article at Reuters

Governor questions designation of coral critical habitat

March 5, 2024 — GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios has expressed concern about the National Marine Fisheries Service’s designation of critical habitat for seven threatened corals in the waters surrounding the CNMI.

In his letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Janet Coit on Thursday, the governor thanked NMFS for addressing earlier concerns regarding public meetings and making them more accessible to the people of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

He also commended the agency for adopting different approaches in designating coral critical habitat and giving affected communities the chance to submit comments for the revised critical habitat proposal.

Read the full article at Marinas Variety

First baby right whale of season dies from injuries caused by ship collision

March 5, 2024 —  The first confirmed baby right whale of the year has been found dead from a collision with a ship, a devastating blow for the vanishing species.

North Atlantic right whales number less than 360 and they are vulnerable to ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Federal authorities were notified of a dead right whale stranded off Georgia on Sunday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

Federal and state officials identified the whale as the injured calf of a right whale known as Juno by marine scientists. The calf had first been seen on Jan. 3 with injuries to its head from a vessel strike, NOAA said in a statement.

Right whales, which are in decline, are slow to reproduce and every baby is vitally important to the future of the species, marine scientists have said. Twenty newborns would be considered a relatively productive season, but the giant whales have been having babies at an even slower rate than normal in recent years, and they have not reached that figure since 2021, NOAA data state.

NOAA said it was able to identify the dead calf based on its injuries and markings that were documented when it was alive.

Read the full article at News Center Maine

Biden-Harris Administration announces new NOAA-NASA agreement to advance North Atlantic right whale conservation technologies as part of Investing in America agenda

March 4, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA Fisheries announced a new $500,000 agreement with NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI) to assist NOAA in identifying, advancing the development of and selecting technologies to support endangered North Atlantic right whale recovery efforts. Today’s investment is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and funded by the Inflation Reduction Act — the largest climate investment in history.

North Atlantic right whales are approaching extinction, with approximately 360 individuals remaining, including fewer than 70 reproductively active females. Primary threats to the species are entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes. Climate change is also affecting every aspect of their survival.

“The Inflation Reduction Act provides a historic investment to reduce threats to this imperiled species and increase monitoring through the application of new technologies that would otherwise not be possible without this funding,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “Our team at NOAA Fisheries looks forward to working with NASA given its strong track record of bringing new technologies and approaches to pressing societal problems.”

Under this agreement, and in partnership with the private sector, NOAA Fisheries will seek to identify, advance and develop new technologies for satellite tags and improve whale detection to reduce the risk of vessel strikes ― one of the primary threats to the survival of North Atlantic right whales. By developing new technologies, NOAA Fisheries can improve the understanding of where whales are located to allow ocean users to respond when right whales are detected. 

“NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation works across NASA and other federal agencies to educate and facilitate the use of open innovation and crowdsourcing,” said Steve Rader, program manager for CoECI at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “Open innovation provides a unique tool to further technology development and scientific discovery for the benefit of all, and we look forward to working with NOAA Fisheries on this important ecological endeavor.”

NOAA Fisheries and its partners are dedicated to recovering and conserving North Atlantic right whales. The new agreement will help NOAA Fisheries meet the objectives of the recently released North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy, and it directly supports the North Atlantic Right Whale Road to Recovery — NOAA Fisheries’ comprehensive plan to address threats to the species and monitor recovery progress. NOAA Fisheries has previously worked with NASA to organize a global technology search for innovative solutions to detect on-demand (or “ropeless”) fishing gear. This new effort will further strengthen the agencies’ partnership. 

This agreement is part of NOAA Fisheries’ plans for North Atlantic right whale recovery, supported with $82 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and first announced in September 2023. These investments are part of the historic $3.3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act investments focused on ensuring America’s communities and economies are ready for and resilient to climate change.

Visit NOAA’s Inflation Reduction Act website to learn about current and future funding opportunities.

Seafood Expo North America

March 4, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but at NOAA Fisheries it’s also a season of seafood! Seafood Expo North America, held every March in Boston for the past 40 years, is the largest trade show in North America.

A bustling, diverse set of seafood companies and interests provide a look into the landscape of today’s global seafood trade. Visitors can satisfy their craving for seafood knowledge and learn more about everything from farmed fish and shellfish to an array of wild-capture seafood and “value-added” products like fish sticks.

NOAA Fisheries is hosting a booth showcasing experts from across federal programs engaged with the seafood supply chain. If you plan to attend, we hope you can join one of our panel discussions (below) or drop by our booth #181.

View the conference program

Sunday, March 10, 2024

1:00 PM-2:00 PM (Room 153A)—Country of Origin Labeling in the Ever-growing Transparent Landscape

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is a labeling law that requires retailers, such as full-line grocery stores, supermarkets and club warehouse stores, to notify their customers with information regarding the source of certain foods. The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 was amended to define the commodities required to display origin information when sold by retailers. These “covered commodities” are fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; wild & farm-raised fish and shellfish; muscle cut and ground chicken, lamb, and goat meat; raw peanuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts; and ginseng. COOL continues to play a vital role in providing consumers information about the source of their foods to assist them in their purchasing decisions. Transparency regarding the origin of seafood ranks high in importance for buyers. This session will cover the importance and evolution of COOL since implementation, and successes from collaboration across the federal government.

3:30 PM-5:00 PM (Room 152)—NOAA Leadership Update: Increasing Seafood Sector Resilience through Science, Management, and Collaboration

U.S. fisheries are among the world’s largest and most sustainable because of our science-based, collaborative management system. In the face of ongoing challenges—including climate change, market disruptions, and new ocean uses—NOAA Fisheries is committed to supporting a thriving U.S. seafood economy and enhancing the resilience of the seafood sector. Last August, the agency released its National Seafood Strategy, based on abundant feedback from stakeholders across the country. The Strategy reinforces NOAA Fisheries’ critical science and management support to the industry and is nested within a suite of policies and guidance that directs NOAA Fisheries’ activities. NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit and other members of NOAA leadership will provide updates on agency priorities, discuss regional impacts of climate change, and share some of the tools and resources NOAA is employing to support increased production and resilience across the industry.

Monday, March 11, 2024

9:00 AM-10:30 AM (Room 204A)—NOAA Fisheries Roundtable on the Seafood Inspection Monitoring Program

In November 2023, NOAA Fisheries announced its decision to conduct a broad review of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP). As part of the program review, NOAA Fisheries is committed to engaging with and seeking broad input on SIMP from stakeholders, including industry and non-governmental organizations.

This roundtable is intended to be a dialogue between NOAA leadership and industry representatives. Join NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations Emily Menashes, and Director of the Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce Alexa Cole to discuss ways to enhance SIMP’s overall impact and effectiveness.

The Importance of Conducting Groundfish Surveys

March 4, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

About the Survey

Every year, NOAA Fisheries, in collaboration with the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program, conducts surveys of groundfish (bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrate species) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. These research expeditions take place twice a year, during the summer and fall, covering waters from Dry Tortugas, Florida to Brownsville, Texas. Some of the most common species seen on this survey include red snapper, northern brown shrimp, Atlantic croaker, pinfish, and many others!

We have been conducting the summer survey since 1982 and the fall survey since 1986. We sample nearshore and continental shelf areas ranging from 5-60 fathoms (9-110 meters) in depth. Species abundance and distribution data from groundfish surveys are used in stock assessments of approximately 20 species, including three shrimp species (brown shrimp, white shrimp, pink shrimp), red snapper, and gray triggerfish, among others. Biological and oceanographic data are also used to monitor the health of the ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico (e.g., coastal hypoxia).

Some of the data collected on this survey are:

  • Biological: Catch composition, abundance, weight, sex and maturity
  • Environmental: Air temperature, barometric pressure, surface water temperature, wind speed, and wind direction
  • Water column profile: Temperature, conductivity (salinity), depth, transmissivity, dissolved oxygen concentrations, fluorometry

So why should we all care about this survey and the valuable information that it provides? Species abundance and distribution data from the groundfish (and other) surveys provide valuable inputs into the stock assessments of many managed species. These assessments are then used to inform management and policy decisions. Environmental data collected from the water column helps researchers assess the long-term health of the Gulf ecosystem, including the impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances.