Saving Seafood

Restoring Estuary Habitat After Oil Spills and Other Disasters

September 20, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

National Estuaries Week takes place each September—this year, from September 16 to 23. It’s a chance to highlight the importance of some of the most productive ecosystems in the world. Estuaries provide habitat for wildlife and fish, create protective breeding grounds, and allow for migratory resting spots. Estuaries also provide ecosystem services such as natural filtration of pollution and flood protection.

NOAA’s Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program works to protect, restore, and maintain habitat after oil spills and toxic waste releases. We conduct extensive restoration work among estuarine habitat. Read on to learn about recent projects that include estuary restoration.

Calcasieu Estuary (Louisiana)

Restoration activities are currently underway to restore nearly 400 acres of Long Point Marsh. The marsh restoration project consists of 392 acres of marsh and 8 acres of tidal creeks, as well as an 18-acre oyster reef project in the Calcasieu Lake.

A 2006 oil spill in Lake Charles, Louisiana—a city rich in Creole culture—contaminated more than 150 miles of shoreline including beaches, residential and industrial waterfront, and marsh. Twenty-one million gallons of oil waste from storage tanks at the Citgo Refinery wastewater treatment plant spilled into the Calcasieu Estuary.

Additional estuarine restoration projects stemming from a different case settlement are in the restoration planning phase in Bayou d’Inde. Contaminants have polluted the bayou, a major tributary of the Calcasieu River, since the 1920s.

Federal Report Confirms Offshore Wind Effect on Whales Produces ‘Temporary Behavioral Changes’

September 20, 2023 — With offshore wind projects being blamed for the increase in deaths in whale species in New Jersey and along the East Coast in 2023, the NOAA has issued a final determination on the effects of sonar mapping and wind farms on marine wildlife.

This week, the federal agency issued a ruling on a Virginia offshore wind project. The opinion says effects the wind farm projects has on whales is only ‘temporary behavioral changes’, adding that the uptick in whale deaths is unrelated to projects being touted by the Biden administration.

Read the full article at Shore News Network

Lt. Governor wraps up the two-day NOAA PRIA Workshop

September 19, 2023 — At the close of the event Lt Governor Talauega E. V. Ale emphasized the importance of the potential effects of the sanctuary designation for American Samoa, noting that it goes beyond economics and extends to the preservation of the Samoan people as a fishing community.

At the close of the event Lt Governor Talauega E. V. Ale emphasized the importance of the potential effects of the sanctuary designation for American Samoa, noting that it goes beyond economics and extends to the preservation of the Samoan people as a fishing community.

“The importance of the tuna industry in American Samoa and our local cannery cannot be overstated,” Lt. Gov Talauega said. “It is the pillar of our economy, it is the employer of thousands, and it is what feeds our families. Any action that threatens the survival of the fishing industry threatens the survival of our fragile economy,” he is quoted saying in a press release issued by the Governor’s Office.

He also expressed appreciation for the conservation efforts being made in the Pacific and highlighted the value of the natural marine resources of the territory. “I have confidence in finding a solution that would ensure the preservation of oceans without crippling the fishing industry, the economy, and the unique culture of American Samoa.”

Read the full article at Samoa News

$82M will help protect whales from vessel strikes after over 60 strandings on Atlantic Coast

September 19, 2023 — The tragic and recurring trend of large whales washing up on the Atlantic Coast has not stopped.

Nor have investigations to determine why they keep happening — although ship strikes have been to blame in many cases.

In the meantime, officials hope new federal money will help to surveil and protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale and benefit other ocean species in the process.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries division, or NOAA Fisheries, on Monday said $82 million from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act will help “to conserve and recover” endangered North Atlantic right whales.

Read the full article at NJ.com

NOAA announces plan for IRA funding for North Atlantic right whales

September 19, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA announced its plans for the historic $82 million to conserve and recover endangered North Atlantic right whales.

NOAA Fisheries received this funding under the Inflation Reduction Act, allowing the agency to prioritize several critical areas focused on tackling the impacts of climate change on marine resources, including endangered North Atlantic right whales.

North Atlantic right whales are approaching extinction with a population of fewer than 350, including less than 70 reproductively active females remaining.

With the IRA funding, NOAA states “that we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address the North Atlantic right whale crisis with new technologies and approaches.” Specifically, they will invest the IRA funds into four significant activities during the next three fiscal years.

Monitoring and Modeling: $35.8 million will be invested in monitoring and modeling efforts.

  • A large portion of this funding, $17.2 million, will go toward furthering passive acoustic monitoring along the U.S. East Coast.
  • $3.5 million will go toward a satellite tagging monitoring program, in addition to $5.6 million for high-resolution satellite artificial intelligence.
  • $5.2 million will be used for modeling advancements.

Vessel Strike Risk Reduction: $20.1 million will be invested toward vessel strike risk reduction efforts.

On-Demand Fishing Gear: $17.9 million will be invested to support furthering on-demand fishing gear technology.

  • Much of the funds allocated for on-demand fishing will be used for staff support. We also expect to spend $7.4 million on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission vessel reimbursement for over 50 vessels and $2 million on training for use of on-demand systems.

Enforcement Efforts: $5 million will be invested in enforcement efforts.

  • Funding invested in enforcement efforts will support new equipment, such as Doppler units, radar plotting aids, and marine monitor shore-based units, in addition to contracts for operations.

For more information and updates, visit the NOAA Fisheries website.

NOAA Fisheries Awarded $10.28 Million to Pacific Islands Region Projects

September 19, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries: 

In fiscal year 2023, NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office awarded approximately $10.28 million to 32 projects via grants and cooperative agreements. The projects support our efforts to achieve healthy marine ecosystems. They focus on:

  • Stability for fisheries resources
  • Recovery of threatened and endangered species
  • Enhanced opportunities for commercial, recreational, and cultural activities in the marine environment

Awardees include 25 U.S. and international agencies whose projects span American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawai‘i, and other U.S. Pacific Islands.

Examples of project activities include:

  • Conducting community outreach to engage underserved communities
  • Restoring loko iʻa (Hawaiian fishponds) and native wetlands
  • Repairing and improving boat ramps for local fishermen
  • Collecting and assessing fishery data to support sustainable fishery management
  • Protecting and monitoring leatherback and hawksbill turtle nesting beaches

We will continue to work with communities to develop innovative projects that help us steward living marine life through science-based conservation and management.

View the 2023 Federal Programs Office Annual Report to learn about our funding programs and this year’s projects. We are excited to see what these awards will accomplish!

NOAA Partners With Offshore Wind Industry on Environmental Monitoring

September 18, 2023 — NOAA and Community Offshore Wind (COSW) – a joint venture between RWE and National Grid Ventures – have signed a 5-year cooperative research and development agreement to exchange data and expertise. The agreement focuses on informing development of an environmental monitoring program for COSW’s offshore wind project off New York and New Jersey.

The partnership is the first of its kind in the offshore wind industry, creating a platform for developers and federal experts to work together in monitoring potential impacts of development on marine ecosystems.

The research cooperation also supports NOAA’s ongoing environmental monitoring across the New York Bight. This process will inform best practices for establishing environmental observation systems on new offshore wind projects in the region.

Read the full article at The Maritime Executive

Biden-Harris Administration announces historic $82 million for endangered North Atlantic right whales as part of Investing in America agenda

September 18, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced next steps to conserve and recover endangered North Atlantic right whales with $82 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act — the largest climate and conservation investment in history. This announcement comes during Climate Week and is part of the $2.6 billion framework to invest in coastal resilience that NOAA announced earlier this year. 

North Atlantic right whales are approaching extinction with fewer than 350 individuals remaining, including fewer than 70 reproductively active females. Today’s funding provides an unprecedented opportunity to address the primary threats to the species — entanglements in fishing gear and vessel strikes — with new technologies and approaches.

“This historic funding will allow NOAA Fisheries to make critical advancements in our work to save the endangered North Atlantic right whale species,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “With $82 million of Inflation Reduction Act funding, we are making smart investments — a cornerstone of Bidenomics — to help address the crisis these whales are facing through innovative solutions that minimize the impact on workers in marine industries.” 

New funding will support the application of existing technologies — such as passive acoustic monitoring — and the development and implementation of technologies to enable vessels to detect and avoid North Atlantic right whales and other large whales. Additionally, NOAA Fisheries will continue to develop and evaluate new technologies — such as those that use high-resolution satellite information — to transform North Atlantic right whale monitoring and improve understanding of the whales’ distribution and habitat use.

“During the past decade, right whales have changed their distribution patterns, spending more time in areas with fewer protections from vessel strikes and entanglements,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “The species has experienced a severe population decline that has underscored the urgency to take new and innovative actions for their recovery. This funding allows us to invest in technologies to reduce the risk of vessel strikes, increase the use of on-demand fishing gear and improve enforcement of existing federal regulations.”

NOAA will invest in four major areas over the next three years to include monitoring and computer modeling of whale distribution, vessel strike risk reduction, on-demand fishing gear and enforcement efforts. NOAA anticipates using funding as follows:

  • About $35.8 million for monitoring and modeling, including approximately: 
    • $17.2 million will go toward passive acoustic monitoring along the U.S. East Coast.
    • $3.5 million will go toward a satellite tagging monitoring program, in addition to $5.6 million for high resolution satellite artificial intelligence.
    • $5.2 million will be used for modeling advancements.
  • About $20.1 million will be invested toward vessel strike risk reduction efforts, including approximately:
    • $16.7 million will be dedicated to whale detection and avoidance technology development. 
  • About $17.9 million will be invested to support furthering on-demand fishing gear technology.
  • About $5 million will be invested in enforcement efforts, supporting new equipment, technologies and operations.

These funds support NOAA Fisheries’ Road to Recovery for North Atlantic right whales. The species is endangered, declining, and experiencing an Unusual Mortality Event, which NOAA Fisheries declared in 2017 following the documentation of elevated right whale mortalities. This event is ongoing and includes 115 North Atlantic right whales that are deceased, seriously injured or in poor health. 

Along with leveraging other funding and supporting the development of innovative fishing gear, NOAA will use Inflation Reduction Act funding to partner and coordinate with federal, state, industry and other partners to promote the development and implementation of advanced solutions to address existing and emerging threats to the species.

Secretary of Commerce Appoints Three New Committee Members to NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee

September 18, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries: 

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo appointed three new members to NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC), bringing the group’s membership to the full complement of 21. The Committee advises the Secretary of Commerce and NOAA on all marine life matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. The three new members are:                                 

  • Hugh Cowperthwaite, Falmouth, Maine:  Senior Director of the Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture Program for the Coastal Enterprises Inc. Fisheries Project      
  • Jennifer Hagen, Forks, Washington: Marine Biologist/Marine Policy Advisor for the Quileute Tribe of La Push, Washington
  • Ryan Prewitt, New Orleans, Louisiana: Chef/Owner, Pêche Seafood Grill and Partner, Gianna Restaurant

 

“I value working with the MAFAC members, their discussions, and the advice that they provide to me and our agency,” said NOAA Fisheries’ Assistant Administrator Janet Coit.

MAFAC members draw on their expertise to evaluate and make recommendations on national marine life policies. The members represent a wide spectrum of fishing, aquaculture, protected resources, environmental, academic, tribal, state, consumer, and other related national interests from across the United States. They ensure the nation’s marine resource policies and programs meet the needs of these stakeholders.

“MAFAC has provided advice and recommendations to NOAA for more than 50 years. These new members will bring invaluable experience and diverse perspectives to the work of this important Committee. I am excited to have them join MAFAC and share their insights,” said Heidi Lovett, the Acting Designated Federal Officer for the committee.

In the past year, MAFAC has been working on:

  • Identifying guiding principles to better define and help NOAA support climate-ready fisheries, fisheries management, and fishing communities
  • Gathering stakeholder knowledge and perceptions about the effectiveness of deterrents to mitigate or eliminate interactions of marine mammals with fishing gear in the water and at docks and related structures
  • Developing recommendations for the agency to build greater transparency and stakeholders support for strategic multi-year investments in core mission critical infrastructure
  • Developing recommendations for the agency to consider when developing an implementation roadmap for using electronically reported recreational fishing data
  • Providing input on the NOAA Fisheries National Saltwater Fishing Policy, the draft National Seafood Strategy, and the draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy
  • Providing recommendation on workforce development initiatives that support individuals, businesses, and communities adapting to changing needs and conditions

Nearly $1.2 Million in Funding Will Support Atlantic Salmon Habitat Restoration

September 17, 2023 — The following was released at NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is awarding nearly $1.2 million in funding for four partners to continue ongoing projects that restore habitat for Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine region. The Gulf of Maine distinct population segment of Atlantic salmon is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and is one of nine NOAA Species in the Spotlight.

Atlantic salmon are an iconic species of the Northeast. They once returned by the hundreds of thousands to most major rivers along the northeastern United States. Now, they only return in small numbers to rivers in central and eastern Maine. These populations comprise the Gulf of Maine DPS.

Degraded habitat is one of the largest obstacles facing the recovery of threatened and endangered species like Atlantic salmon. Habitat restoration helps repair areas that have been destroyed by development, blocked by dams, or otherwise subjected to habitat destruction. Through funding and technical assistance, NOAA supports projects that restore the habitats that threatened and endangered species need to recover.

Restore Habitat Access

The Atlantic Salmon Federation will implement five projects to restore access to Atlantic salmon spawning and rearing habitats in the Kennebec River watershed. They will also conduct a fish passage feasibility study at the Chesterville Wildlife Management Area Dam on Little Norridgewock Stream. ($50,000)

Improving Fish Passage

Project SHARE will replace undersized culverts at 13 sites, connecting habitat for Atlantic salmon across the Dennys, Machias, Pleasant, Union, and Narraguagus River watersheds. They will also conduct fish passage feasibility studies at the Great Works Dam and at Marion Falls fishway. Funding will also support freshwater habitat restoration work in the Narraguagus River watershed. ($264,000)

Restoring and Reconnecting Habitat

The Nature Conservancy will complete the final designs to remove Guilford Dam and restore the adjacent floodplain, which will reconnect habitat for Atlantic salmon in the Piscataquis River watershed. They will also restore access to high-quality habitat by improving fish passage at three high-priority road crossings over streams. ($605,000)

Fish Passage Feasibility Studies

The Downeast Salmon Federation will support fish passage feasibility studies at the Cherryfield Ice Control Dam on the Narraguagus River and the Gardner Lake Dam on the East Machias River, to support future habitat restoration in these watersheds. Funding will also support fish passage improvements at the Gardner Lake Dam. ($277,000)