HIGHLIGHTS
U.S.
Seafood Can Help Solve One of the World’s Greatest Challenges
Michael Rubino, Director of
NOAA’s Office of Aquaculture, underscores the role of well-managed fisheries
and responsible farm-raised seafood in the United States and the importance of
expanding domestic aquaculture production to create jobs and secure a safe,
sustainable seafood supply now and into the future.
Heading
to Seafood Expo North America—Final Call
Just a final heads
up that NOAA Fisheries’ Assistant Administrator, Chris Oliver, and key members
of his leadership have a full agenda of open meetings and conference sessions
planned for the Expo, March 11–13. If you are in the area and can attend a
session, be sure to drop by Booth #181
where we have a one-stop-shop of expertise from NOAA Fisheries, the FDA, USDA
and Customs.
Meet
NOAA Fisheries at Upcoming Fishing Shows
Members of the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) team will join port agents from NOAA Fisheries’ Greater Atlantic Region at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show on March 9–11 (Booth #0206) and the Saltwater Fishing Expo on March 16–18
(Booth # 138). Please
stop by our booths to ask questions and say hello.
NOAA
Office of Law Enforcement Priorities
Effective marine
resource management depends on effective enforcement, and NOAA’s Office of Law
Enforcement is dedicated to protecting marine wildlife and habitat by promoting
compliance with domestic laws and international treaty obligations. This week,
OLE released its 5-year priorities document. Developed through an extensive
stakeholder engagement process, these priorities will help OLE focus efforts
where they are most needed.
Western
Bluefin Tuna Bycatch Measures – Open for Public Comment
NOAA Fisheries announces steps to
consider options for managing bycatch of and interactions with western Atlantic
bluefin tuna in the pelagic longline fishery. A scoping document, schedule for
public scoping meetings, a request for comments, and an intent to prepare a
draft environmental impact analysis for these managing options are now
available. Comments are due May 1.
Shortfin
Mako Overfishing – Open for Comment
A recent stock assessment of North Atlantic shortfin mako shark found that the stock was
overfished and overfishing is occurring. The International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) requires new interim management measures
until a rebuilding plan is established in 2019. NOAA Fisheries will host a
series of public scoping meetings, and requests comments on options
for rulemaking by May 7.
2018 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award –
Call for
Nominations
Nominations are open for the 2018 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural
Resources. NOAA is
a co-sponsor of this award, which recognizes exemplary leadership by individuals, agencies, businesses, and
other organizations to reduce impacts and advance adaptation of the nation’s vital natural resources in a changing
world. Nominations are due April 13.
Alaska
Volcanoes
and Eelgrass Transform Salmon Habitat
Nearshore habitat for young
salmon and other wildlife is slowly disappearing in Chignik, Alaska. A new NOAA
Fisheries study is the first to quantify shallowing of the seafloor in the area
and to identify its likely cause. Scientists found that volcanic eruptions
deposit ash into the bays, and then eelgrass beds expand into and anchor the
deposits.
Field
Dispatch: Northern Fur Seals and Their Prey
Last summer, researchers from the
Alaska Fisheries Science Center tagged female northern fur seals to learn more
about their foraging behavior and their relationship with their prey. This
month, researchers are out recapturing the seals and retrieving the electronic
tagging instruments.
Pacific Islands
Electronic Monitoring in the Pacific Islands
Last year, the Pacific Islands
Fisheries Science Center teamed up with the Joint Institute for Marine and
Atmospheric Research, an electronic monitoring systems provider, and the local
longline fishing industry to implement electronic monitoring in the
Pacific Islands region. This strong government–industry collaboration
resulted in electronic monitoring systems recording 116 trips in 2017,
representing 7.5 percent of annual trips in the fishery.
The Saga of Pacific Paradise
Last October, fishing vessel Pacific Paradise ran aground off
Waikiki. The U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA Fisheries, and other partners worked
diligently for weeks to successfully free the vessel from the reef and sink it
in deeper waters, with minimal damage to natural resources.
Southeast
Force Blue
Fights for Coral
Force Blue—a partnership between
NOAA, FEMA, nonprofits, and a local enterprise—is one of many programs engaging
military veterans in restoring important ecosystems. This week, six Force Blue
divers joined our partners to conduct coral reef damage assessment, emergency
restoration, and long-term recovery planning in reefs damaged by hurricanes
Irma and Maria.
Greater Atlantic
Free App Available
for Electronic Reporting
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Management Council established new electronic vessel trip reporting
requirements for certain charter/party permit holders in the Greater Atlantic
Region. Download NOAA Fisheries’ new NOAA Fish Online App (iOS) to submit your
electronic Vessel Trip Reports using your iPhone or iPad.
NOAA
Announces 2018 Squid, Butterfish Quotas
NOAA Fisheries announces squid
and butterfish quotas for the 2018 fishing year and projected squid and
butterfish quotas for the 2019 and 2020 fishing years. Based on the status of
these stocks, we plan to reduce the commercial butter quota while increasing
the longfin squid quota. Illex squid annual quotas remain unchanged since 2012.
Women’s
History Month Interview Series
March is Women’s History Month,
and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center has asked five scientists to share
their science journey and advice for the next generation of women in science.
This week, meet Elizabeth Marchetti, a field scientist at the Narragansett
Laboratory in Rhode Island. Elizabeth collects fisheries data aboard commercial
fishing vessels and assists fishermen with electronic reporting.
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