Saving Seafood

VIMS to lead national program for managing derelict fishing gear

April 24, 2023 — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has recommended William & Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science as home base for a new national program focused on protecting U.S. coastal waters from derelict fishing gear.

The $8 million provided by NOAA to implement the four-year program is the largest single grant award in VIMS’ 83-year history. Many of these dollars will be passed on to program partners through an annual grant competition. Formally known as the Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program — “TRAP” for Trap Removal, Assessment & Prevention — the effort includes funding for commercial and tribal fishers to remove derelict pots from Virginia’s waters.

William & Mary’s strategic plan, Vision 2026, positions the university to address global challenges in areas including water and data.

“The TRAP program is a great example of critical thinking with data. Combining quantitative expertise with human understanding in this way is required to design innovative solutions for the complex challenges facing society today and, in the future,” said Provost Peggy Agouris.

Derek Aday, VIMS dean & director, agrees.

“Water is one of the world’s most threatened and valuable resources,” he said. “The TRAP program represents the kind of innovative approaches we need to solve global issues related to conserving our marine resources and increasing the resilience of coastal communities.”

Derelict gear refers to fishing equipment that has been lost, abandoned, or otherwise discarded in the water, commonly due to storms and boat traffic. It can harm ecosystems and economies by trapping and killing targeted and bycatch species, damaging marine habitats and competing with actively fished gear.

Read the full article at W&M News

NOAA considers sanctuary in waters around Pacific Remote Islands

April 23, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA announced it is starting the process to potentially designate a new national marine sanctuary in the Pacific Remote Islands area, as directed by President Biden and affirmed by the Department of Commerce on March 24, 2023.

The proposed area in the central Pacific Ocean includes marine areas within the existing Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, as well as currently unprotected submerged lands and waters, to the full extent of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, an area totaling about 770,000 square miles. Terrestrial areas are not included in the proposed sanctuary.

“The Biden-Harris Administration and Department of Commerce are committed to bold conservation goals through the America the Beautiful initiative,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Sanctuary designation would bring to bear NOAA’s capacity and expertise in research and management of coastal and marine resources, maritime heritage and archaeology, and public education and outreach in order to protect the unique ecological and cultural resources of the Pacific Remote Islands.”

The atolls, shoals, seamounts, banks and reefs surrounding the Pacific Remote Islands are home to some of the most diverse and remarkable tropical marine ecosystems on the planet, and provide a haven for a host of wildlife, including corals, sharks, fish, marine mammals, seabirds and invertebrates.

“The Pacific Remote Islands ecosystems face persistent threats from hazards, such as marine debris, invasive species and climate change,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “Designating this incredibly important area as a national marine sanctuary would complement and strengthen existing efforts to preserve the region’s natural, cultural and historic values.”

Designating the proposed area as a sanctuary would add the conservation benefits of a national marine sanctuary to the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument’s existing protections, and provide a stable management framework, a citizen advisory council and lasting protections that extend beyond the monument’s current boundaries.

“The proposed sanctuary would also be an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Indigenous cultural connections to the lands and waters of the area,” said Nicole LeBoeuf, director of NOAA’s National Ocean Service. “This region has a rich history, beginning with Pacific Island peoples whose proficiency with navigation and ocean wayfinding created a cultural network across the vastness of the Pacific.”

About the public comment period 

The public is invited to comment on the proposed sanctuary designation through June 2, 2023, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, www.regulations.gov, by searching for docket number NOAA-NOS-2023-0052. Comments may also be mailed if postmarked by June 2, 2023.

NOAA will host in-person public meetings, with an option to join virtually. During the meetings, NOAA will gather input on boundaries, compatible uses, threats a new sanctuary would address, how best to promote marine science and education initiatives and other topics as described in the Notice of Intent that NOAA published in the Federal Register. The input NOAA receives from the public will assist the agency with the preparation and release of draft designation documents, and in formulating alternatives for the draft environmental impact statement.

A detailed description of the proposed sanctuary, based on the nomination submitted by the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition, as well as additional information about opportunities to provide comment, can be found at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/pacific-remote-islands.

Biden-Harris Administration recommends $562 million investment to make communities resilient to climate impacts as part of Investing in America agenda

April 23, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, Vice President Harris announced that the Department of Commerce has recommended $562 million in funding– including investments in nearly 150 projects across 30 coastal and Great Lakes states and territories– to make communities and the economy more resilient to climate change, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. At an event in Miami, Florida, Vice President Harris will highlight how this announcement reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackle the climate crisis and ensure that communities are more resilient to extreme weather events. The awards are made under NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts Initiative and are funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and bolstered by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). 

“The Biden-Harris Administration is moving aggressively to tackle the climate crisis and help communities that are experiencing increased flooding, storm surge and more frequent extreme weather events,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These investments will create jobs while protecting people, communities and ecosystems from the threats of climate change, and help our nation take the steps it needs to become more resilient and build a clean energy economy.” 

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is focused on growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make communities more climate-resilient. 

NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative advances climate solutions for coastal communities

NOAA announced approximately $562 million in recommended funding to support the Climate-Ready Coasts initiative:

  • $477 million for high-impact projects that create climate solutions by strengthening coastal communities’ ability to respond to extreme weather events, pollution and marine debris; restoring coastal habitats to help wildlife and humans thrive; storing carbon; building the capacity of underserved communities to address climate hazards and supporting community-driven restoration; and creating jobs in local communities.
  • $46 million in additional funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation National Coastal Resilience Fund for projects that will help communities prepare for increasing coastal flooding, sea-level rise and more intense storms, while improving thousands of acres of coastal habitats.
  • $39.1 million in non-competitive funding to the 34 state and territorial coastal management programs and 30 national estuarine research reserves that work in partnership with NOAA under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Funding for these programs provides essential planning, policy development and implementation, research, education, and collaborative engagement with communities around the nation to protect coastal and estuarine ecosystems important for the resilience of coastal economies and the health of  coastal environments.

Demand for funding focused on preparing for and adapting to climate change is high. In the first year, NOAA’s BIL Climate-Ready Coasts far exceeded the funding available. In response to this high demand, NOAA is leveraging these requests with funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, allowing more high-quality projects to be recommended for funding and move forward. 

“This crucial federal investment will help coastal communities in every corner of the Empire State, from the shores of Lake Ontario to the Hudson River, tackle the climate crisis by cleaning our waterways and bolstering critical infrastructure – all while putting New Yorkers to work and boosting our economy,” said Senate Majority Leader Schumer. “When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to passage as Majority Leader, it was game changing investments in climate ready initiatives like these that I had in mind. From Long Island to Buffalo, I am proud to support communities across New York in leading the fight against climate change and building a cleaner more resilient future for the next generation.”

“Thanks to the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, these grants will ensure that coastal communities across the United States will have the tools and resources to withstand the effects of climate change,” said Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chair Cantwell. “These historic grants will support 149 projects aimed at coastal restoration and resilience projects in 30 coastal states and territories, including in the State of Washington, to restore ecosystems, recover species, and support community-driven conservation projects.” 

“In passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress delivered historic investments to our nation’s coastal communities, which sit on the frontlines of climate change,” said House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva. “I applaud the work of NOAA and its partners to equitably fund high-quality, transformative projects that will restore habitat, create jobs, and make our coastlines more resilient to climate change. These are the kinds of bold, ocean-based climate solutions our country needs to boost local economies, while also protecting all Americans from the worsening impacts of the climate crisis.”

“NOAA has a long history of working with community partners to advance our understanding of coastal processes, conserve coastal resources and restore habitat in ways that benefit wildlife, people, and the economy,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “Funding through the President’s Investing in America agenda allows us to super-charge these activities so that communities, including Tribal governments, facing all types of climate impacts can prepare for what’s ahead, create climate-smart jobs and build economic resilience, and ultimately thrive.” 

Information on the 149 Climate-Ready Coasts natural infrastructure projects recommended for funding are listed by state and U.S. territory at the links below. 

NOAA begins process for Biden’s proposed marine sanctuary

April 21, 2023 — NOAA has started the process to designate a massive area in the Pacific Ocean a marine sanctuary, following up on a proposal by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden.

The proposal, made in late March, would create a new marine sanctuary using the National Marine Sanctuaries Act around the Pacific Remote Islands area, a set of islands in the central Pacific Ocean. The proposal would include the existing Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument and currently unprotected areas of land and water, covering the full extent of the U.S.’s exclusive economic zone.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Al Roker Showcases Aquaculture as a Climate Solution

April 18, 2023 — Guess who’s in NOAA’s neck of the woods? For Earth Week, Al Roker and the Today Show traveled from California to Connecticut to learn about aquaculture as a climate solution.

The United States imports 75–80 percent of the seafood we eat, and those seafood sources are being impacted by climate change. Aquaculture is a local, sustainable option that doesn’t use much fresh water, fish food, take up much space, or emit greenhouse gasses the way traditional farming can. Eating farmed seafood is good for you, good for the economy, and good for the planet!

“In a changing climate, we need to consider the environmental impacts of what we eat,” said Danielle Blacklock, director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture. “Adding more seafood to your diet is a climate-smart, earth-friendly choice, especially if it’s grown here in the United States.”

To showcase the diversity of the United State’s aquaculture industry, Al Roker and his team visited aquaculture efforts in California and Connecticut. They met NOAA, Sea Grant, and farmers from the Port of San Diego and Copps Island Oysters. In San Diego, Roker learned about abalone and how aquaculture can grow as part of the Blue Economy.

In Connecticut, Roker boarded a NOAA Milford Research vessel to visit Copps Island Oysters—the largest oyster operation on the East Coast. It also farms sugar kelp for a line of skincare products. He interviewed Sea Grant seaweed expert Anoushka Concepcion and met with Danielle Blacklock. He also chatted with the Bloom Family about Copps Island Oysters and their seaweed business.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

Protests opposed to aquaculture target NOAA after release of scoping report

April 17, 2023 — NOAA Fisheries released a scoping report on potential aquaculture sites off the coast of Southern California as part of an ongoing federal process to identify aquaculture sites, and was then faced with a small protest against fish farms.

Protesters converged on NOAA’s offices in Long Beach, California following the 29 March release of a scoping report on an environmental impact statement (EIS) covering potential aquaculture sites in Southern California’s Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Monica Bay. Protestors, the Santa Barbara Independent reported, had gravestones reading “RIP humpback whales” in protest of establishing any aquaculture sites in the region.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

El Niño watch issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center

April 16, 2023 — El Niño, a recurring climate pattern that periodically disrupts entire ecosystems of marine life and can influence weather events in the United States and across the globe, will “likely develop” again this summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday.

The agency’s climate prediction center had earlier issued an El Niño Watch as part of its latest weather outlook assessment for April 2023, which forecasted the upcoming shift in ENSO, the acronym scientists use to describe an alternating system of contrasting climate phenomena called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle. This kind of advisory is issued when weather conditions favor the development of El Niño within the next six months, according to NOAA.

Weather conditions are currently considered neutral, as they have been since a particularly lengthy term of La Niña — El Niño’s converse, which is often associated with worsening drought and more severe hurricanes — ended at the beginning of March. At the time, climate scientists said there was an estimated 60% chance that El Niño would emerge by the fall season.

Read the full article at CBS News

‘Ropeless’ Fishing Gear Aims to Protect Whales, But Adds Complications, Costs

April 13, 2023 — A handful of Rhode Island lobster fishermen are working this season with federal regulators to use and study some complex and early stage equipment that is intended, eventually, to greatly reduce entanglements and deaths of whales.

The experimental equipment for this so-called “ropeless” fishing would eliminate the vertical ropes — or “lines” — running down the water column from buoys on the surface to lines connecting a series of traps on the seafloor. The existing function of buoys and vertical lines — to find and retrieve traps — would be replaced under a new system by computerized acoustic signals from boats to the seafloor and geopositioning via cell signals or satellites.

Using federal experimental fishing permits, three Port Judith-based lobstermen are struggling to use the new gear, borrowed from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a branch of NOAA Fisheries.

On a recent sunny April morning, Richard Lodge and his sea dogs Rudder and Dory were preparing to embark from his dock at Point Judith on his boat Select for a day of lobster fishing using the experimental gear. The gear is informally called “on demand” because the fisherman uses an acoustic signal, like a dog whistle, to release floats on the seafloor and to raise one end of the trawl line to the surface.

His experimental fishing permit allows Lodge to use and test the gear in a portion of the ocean called the South Island restricted area, to the south and east of the Rhode Island coast. The restricted area was designated two years ago, and lobster fishing — using buoys and vertical lines — is banned there from February through April, when the endangered North Atlantic right whale is moving through the area.

Lodge uses a mild tone in talking about using the gear, which is a little surprising, considering the years of previous regulations on the fishery and the hassles of managing the computer-driven gear.

“Ropeless technology is excessive; I honestly don’t think it is necessary,” Lodge said. “This is a solution to a problem that isn’t there.” He and other Point Judith-based lobstermen said that in decades of time at sea, they don’t know of one instance in which whales were entangled in their lines.

“I’ve fished here for 40 years and we haven’t had a problem with whales,” said Galilee-based fisherman Eric Marcus, who also has an experimental fishing permit to use and test the ropeless gear in the restricted zone. “Where we are isn’t a breeding ground for whales.”

Daniel McKiernan, director of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, said there are 6,000 commercial lobstermen and 350 right whales, “so naturally the vast majority of lobstermen are not entangling whales.”

Read the full article at ecoRI News

Recommended 2023 Species Recovery Grants Projects

April 13, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, we are recommending roughly $6.3 million in funding for state and tribal projects through the Species Recovery Grants Program. Over the years, the Species Recovery Grant Program has successfully supported the collaboration with states and Tribes to recover and conserve marine species under the Act. This year, we are recommending around $1.5 million for six new projects (through eight new awards) to five states, a territory, and one federally recognized tribe. Another $4.8 million will support the continuation of 20 multi-year projects that were approved in prior grant cycles.

States and tribes play an essential role in conserving and recovering species. Threatened or endangered species under NOAA Fisheries’ jurisdiction may spend all or part of their lifecycle in state or tribal waters. Successfully conserving these species depends largely on working cooperatively with states and tribes. This year’s recommended projects support our state and tribal partners in a range of activities, such as:

  • Assessing and monitoring endangered and threatened species presence and status, including evaluating abundance, spatiotemporal distribution, spawning, and foraging behaviors
  • Collecting demographic and genetic information to improve understanding of population structure, habitat use, and impacts of human threats
  • Engaging the public in conservation of Endangered Species Act-listed species

We identified projects that would benefit the species identified in our “Species in the Spotlight” initiative as a priority in our funding decisions. Recommended and ongoing projects will address five Species in the Spotlight:

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. The Act is critical in recovering and conserving marine species, habitats, and ecosystems through the work of NOAA and our partners in science, management, and law enforcement. As we celebrate 50 years, we also look to the future and recognize the continued importance of the ESA in light of biodiversity loss and climate change.

At this point in the selection process, application approval and obligation is not final. An application being recommended is not an authorization to begin performance of the project, and is not a guarantee of funding. Final approval is subject to funding availability as well as final review and approval by both NOAA Grants Management Division and Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Law Division. No application is “awarded” until it has been signed by the official Grants Officer. The Grants Officer will notify successful applicants in writing when their application has been approved.

Tribal organizations file lawsuit alleging NOAA fisheries use outdated data, harming subsistence fishing

April 11, 2023 — The Association of Village Council Presidents and the Tanana Chiefs Conference have filed a lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service in U.S. District Court to protect subsistence fishing rights.

The two organizations represent nearly a hundred tribes in Alaska, and are suing the federal government in order to protect their rights to subsistence fishing. The nonprofit EarthJustice is representing the Tribal organizations.

“It’s challenging the National Marine Fisheries Service’s recent decision adopting the catch limits for the Bering Sea groundfish fisheries,” EarthJustice senior attorney Kate Glover said.

The lawsuit alleges that NOAA fisheries have been using outdated environmental studies when setting groundfish catch limits for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.

Read the full article at Alaska New Source