Saving Seafood

Sharing Aquaculture Science Across Borders: 50 Years of American-Japanese Collaboration

May 15, 2024 — Food is a powerful means of sharing culture, and the United States and Japan share a love of delicious and sustainable farmed seafood. Since 1971, NOAA Fisheries and the Japanese Fisheries Research and Education Agency have collaborated through the U.S.-Japan Natural Resources Aquaculture Panel.

The panel’s principal aims are to cooperatively:

  • Develop and conserve natural resources
  • Share information and results of research activities
  • Provide a continuing forum for applied science and technology cooperation

“The two countries, Japan and the United States, have very different cultural backgrounds and for this very reason we can work together to solve problems from different perspectives, producing results that cannot be achieved in one country,” said Dr. Hideaki Aono, former Japan Panel Chair (2019–2024). “Since there has been more than 50 years of research exchange between two countries, the strong sense of trust facilitates sharing knowledge and technology.”

Science and Technology Exchange

The panel has evolved to adapt to emerging challenges and opportunities. NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture sponsors this bilateral in collaboration with aquaculture scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service and national Sea Grant programs. The panel holds annual meetings where scientists share research results, new technology, and approaches for sustainable aquaculture.

Over the years, American and Japanese aquaculture experts have collaborated on:

  • Laboratory and field research
  • Exchanges of samples for research
  • Synthesizing hard-to-get data in the archives of each nation
  • Gathering statistics to chart the growth of the aquaculture industries in both the United States and Japan

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

SMAST faculty receive $4.9 million through sea scallop research program

May 12, 2024 — Faculty at the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) have received a combined total of $4,898,059 in this year’s NOAA Fisheries Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program.

Through the Scallop RSA Program, the New England Fishery Management Council “sets aside” scallop poundage to generate funds for scallop research projects. RSA awards provide funding for research and compensation for fishing industry partners who harvest the scallops. These programs support research that informs fishery management decisions, and foster collaboration between the fishing industry and scientific community, leading to more informed and effective management of scallop resources.

Research projects are selected by NOAA on a competitive basis. For the 2024-2025 Scallop RSA Program, 3 of the 14 selected projects belong to SMAST researchers.

Commonwealth Professor Changsheng Chen is the principal investigator on a 2-year project titled, “Assessing Cumulative Impact of Offshore Wind Energy Development on Sea Scallop Laval Transport and Settlement in Southern New England Waters.” The project aims to further evaluate the cumulative impacts of wind turbine generators on scallop larval dispersion, transport, and recruitment.

Assistant Research Professor Adam J. Delargy and SMAST Dean Kevin D.E. Stokesbury are the principal investigators on a project titled “Intensive drop camera surveys of sea scallops in two key areas of Georges Bank,” which consists of drop camera surveys in two Nantucket Lightship SAMS zones and part of the Northern Edge Habitat Area of Particular Concern. Results will be used to estimate scallop biomass in support of the scallop harvest specification process.

Read the full article at UMass Dartmouth

Understanding the Best Conditions for Rice’s Whales

May 12, 2024 — NOAA Fisheries has been on a quest to find what conditions make the best habitat for the endangered Rice’s whale. A team of scientists from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center published research findings in the journal Endangered Species Research that characterize their habitat. The findings were based on whale surveys and oceanographic data.

The study found the oceanographic conditions important for Rice’s whale habitat are primarily located along the outer edge of the continental shelf around the Gulf of Mexico. Here, conditions promote high food productivity and likely support optimal feeding habitat for the whales.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

Live Long and Prosper! When it Comes to Shark Surveys, Longevity Matters

May 12, 2024 — There is a popular quotation among fisheries scientists by John Shepherd: “Counting fish is just like counting trees, except they’re invisible and they keep moving around.” It’s a great analogy, and a good illustration of why surveys are valuable for fisheries management. When scientists fish areas in a standardized way over many years, it gives us a way to keep a relative count of fish stocks over time, despite all the moving these “invisible” fish may do. When it comes to managing long-lived species like sharks, repeated surveying over the years can also be an opportunity to see repeat customers!

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

OREGON: $7 million available in salmon fishery disaster funds

May 10, 2024 — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has announced that $7,050,722 is available to Oregon to address poor performance of the state’s ocean commercial salmon fisheries for 2018, 2019, and 2020.

This includes impacts to commercial fishermen, processors, and the fishing ecosystem and environment.

The “Oregon Spend Plan,” vetted through NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), is now available for public review and comment. The plan is posted on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website. Input should be sent to orsalmon.disaster@odfw.oregon.gov by May 13

Read the full article at Tillamook Headlight Herald

NOAA Fisheries progressing on draft of aquaculture economic development plan, garnering industry backing

May 10, 2024 — Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), a group representing the U.S. aquaculture industry, has put its support behind NOAA Fisheries’ aquaculture economic development plan, which is part of NOAA’s efforts to update its National Aquaculture Development Plan for the first time in more than 40 years.

The economic development plan stands as the third pillar of the National Aquaculture Development Plan and includes three strategic plans. The other two pillars – the Strategic Plan to Enhance Regulatory Efficiency in Aquaculture and the National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Research – were completed in 2022.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

Fishermen help to reel in marine debris

May 8, 2024 — NOAA Fisheries Marine Debris Program shared a recent article on fishermen stepping up and reeling in marine debris. Balloons are known to be some of the most devastating pollutants to wildlife, and according to a CSIRO study, balloons are one of the top three most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife.

A small group of fishermen is leading in this battle against balloon debris. NOAA has recognized their efforts and is now calling upon the public to join in. Each balloon collected is a step towards a cleaner, safer environment. The article reminds us that the act of releasing balloons, whether intentional or not, has severe consequences. No matter how far they travel, these balloons inevitably pollute our oceans, Great Lakes, or other waterways. It’s a collective responsibility, and every individual’s contribution counts.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Scoping it Out: A First-of-its-Kind Survey for False Killer Whales

May 8, 2024 — Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center scientists are spending a month at sea (April 23–May 22) aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette on the Survey for Continued Observation of Pseudorca Extent (SCOPE). They’re searching for pelagic false killer whales in an area they have not surveyed before and using specialized methods to collect biological data from as many false killer whales as possible.

They will use the same methods to look and listen for whales and dolphins on this mission that they have used for many years on other surveys.

During SCOPE, they have increased capacity to:

  • Locate false killer whales
  • Take photo-identification images
  • Collect biopsy samples
  • Deploy satellite tags when this species is found

These key types of data are limited for pelagic false killer whales—including the Hawaiʻi pelagic population that has a new management area to address bycatch in the Hawaiʻi deep-set longline fishery.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

NOAA: Overfishing in US hit all-time low in 2023

May 6, 2024 — The number of fish stocks on the U.S. overfishing list decreased by three last year, falling to an all-time low of 21, NOAA said Thursday.

In its annual “Status of the Stocks” report to Congress, the agency also said that 50 fish stocks have now been fully rebuilt since 2000.

In what NOAA described as “a major milestone,” the iconic Snohomish coho salmon became the latest stock to join the rebuilt list last year. The agency said there are more than 20 different stocks of the coho salmon on the West Coast and in Alaska.

Read the full story at E&E News

Status of the stocks: Record-low number of stocks on overfishing list in 2023

May 2, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In a report released today, NOAA Fisheries announced that 2023 saw a record low for the number of fish stocks subject to overfishing. The annual Status of the Stocks report is an assessment of the 506 stocks and stock complexes managed by NOAA Fisheries, and provides a look at the overall health of fisheries in the U.S. Maintaining sustainable fisheries contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, provides important recreational opportunities and helps meet the growing challenge of increasing our nation’s seafood supply.

In 2023, U.S. fisheries data revealed that 94% of stocks are not subject to overfishing and 82% are not overfished. These numbers show slight improvements compared to the 2022 figures of 93% and 81%, respectively. Ongoing positive trends continued with the number of stocks on the overfishing list decreasing by three stocks, reaching an all-time low of 21 stocks, and the number of stocks on the overfished list decreasing by one stock, to 47. Since 2000, NOAA Fisheries has rebuilt 50 stocks.

“By ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks, we are strengthening the value of U.S. fisheries to the economy, our communities and marine ecosystems,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “Sustainably managed fisheries are important to the nation’s economy, and provide opportunities for commercial, recreational and subsistence fishing, while keeping a renewable supply of seafood for consumers.”

NOAA Fisheries recently released the Fisheries Economics of the United States report for 2022. The latest data shows U.S. commercial and recreational fishing supported 2.3 million jobs and generated $321 billion in sales across the broader economy in 2022. The U.S. commercial fishing and seafood industry, as well as recreational fishing, continue to have a broad, positive impact on the economy.

“Managing fisheries sustainably is an adaptive process that relies on sound science, innovative management approaches, effective enforcement and meaningful partnerships with robust public participation,” said NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit. “We continually adjust management measures in response to complex challenges including climate change, rebuilding stocks, ending overfishing and developing new forecasting tools to better predict ocean conditions.”

To keep U.S. fisheries operating sustainably, NOAA Fisheries partners with the U.S. Regional Fishery Management Councils and Interstate Fisheries Commissions, for dynamic, science-based management processes that are proving successful at ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks.

Since 1996, NOAA Fisheries has reported on the status of U.S. fisheries, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Reporting on the status of fish stocks provides fisheries managers and the public with an account of how well current fisheries management measures are working.