A citizen science program more than 50 years old has uncovered new information about where sharks go and how long they live. The newly published shark tagging atlas reports on the distribution and movements of more than 200,000 sharks of 35 different species. Scientists collected data for sharks tagged and/or recaptured between 1962 and 2013 found in the Atlantic Ocean and associated areas, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.

A collaborative study between the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Milford Lab and Massachusetts Maritime Academy is looking at the potential risks to Atlantic sea scallops posed by changing ocean chemistry. Sea scallops support the second-most valuable fishery in the Northeast. Ocean acidification occurs when the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide, changing water chemistry. Previous studies have projected the effects of ocean acidification on the sea scallop fishery, but this was the first to directly measure the response of juvenile sea scallops to ocean acidification conditions.

While the weather outside may be frightful this time of year, our researchers don’t stop collecting data from planes, ships, and underwater. Through collaboration and partnerships we strive to regularly monitor the ocean, fisheries, and other marine life. Researchers put information about abundance, distribution, ecology, and behavior of protected species—from whales, dolphins, and seals to marine turtles and seabirds—into an ecosystem context. This in turn helps resource managers make science-based informed decisions on how to responsibly govern our marine life.

On February 25, 2020, we will kick off management track assessments for six fish and invertebrate species: Atlantic surfclam, ocean quahog, butterfish, longfin inshore squid, Atlantic herring, and Atlantic mackerel. Management assessments provide routine, scheduled, and updated advice to directly inform management actions. The assessments will be conducted and peer reviewed June 22-26. The red hake stock structure research track assessment is ongoing, and peer review is scheduled for March 9-12.

Join us and the rest of the Woods Hole community as we celebrate the 39th anniversary of the Woods Hole Black History Month. The theme this year focuses on “African Americans and the Vote", which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment and the culmination of the women's suffrage movement. It also marks the 150th anniversary of the 15th amendment and the rights for black men to vote after the civil war. The Woods Hole Black History Month Committee will be hosting a number of great events throughout the month of February, including a film screening, invitational guest speakers, and the "Harambee festival" featuring a live performance by Cape Cod African Dance and Drum.

From the age of 12, Pete Chase knew he wanted to pursue a career in ocean science. Find out how he achieved his current role as chief of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's Ecosystem Surveys Branch. In his new role, Pete oversees the operations of the Science Center’s fisheries surveys that collect the basic biological, oceanographic, and planktonic data needed to monitor the health and status of fisheries and their habitats.

It’s gray seal pupping season in New England, and our researchers are trying some new approaches to get to island pupping colonies to capture and sample the animals. Once there, they conduct health assessments, collect biological samples, and place satellite and acoustic tags on weaned pups. This will help them understand seasonal changes in abundance and evaluate risk of fisheries interactions. Researchers are also conducting long-term studies of the influenza A virus in gray seals to understand the prevalence of the virus in the population, how it transmits, and if it might affect other wildlife.

Connecting the next generation with the natural sciences around them is one of NOAA’s mission areas. Jerry Prezioso, a member of our Oceans and Climate Branch, is one of several scientists that visit nearby schools to connect students to our work. Jerry brings work conducted at our Narragansett lab and during our plankton and ecosystem monitoring surveys into the classroom through lectures, samples, exhibits and photography. Jerry also hosts students at the lab to get them involved in the many areas of research we do—inspiring many to later volunteer at some of our NOAA labs and on research cruises.

A record-breaking 220 people participated in the 40th Milford Aquaculture Seminar in Shelton, CT, which featured 46 oral presentations and 16 posters over two and a half days. The Milford Aquaculture Seminar brings together the shellfish aquaculture industry, science, policy, and the interested public and features a diversity of presenters. New this year were several talks about aquaculture gear engineering and design, as well as a session devoted to the burgeoning field of seaweed aquaculture. The combined 2021 Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Expo and 41st Milford Aquaculture Seminar will be held in Portland, ME, January 13-15, 2021.