Our Rockfish Newsletter keeps you informed on all of the interesting and innovative work currently underway by NOAA Fisheries and our partners to conserve rockfish and their habitats.
In this edition, we'll discuss:
- New Rockfish Coordinator Dr. Dayv Lowry
- Rockfish Children’s Book!
- Citizen Science YOY Surveys in 2020
- Caroline Gibson Scholarship in Marine Science
We hope you'll enjoy reading! If you have an idea for an article or questions about content, please email James.Selleck@noaa.gov, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region.
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NOAA hires Dr. Dayv Lowry for Rockfish Recovery Coordinator
Photo: Dr. Dayv Lowry
In mid-May NOAA Fisheries' Protected Resources Division welcomed Dr. Dayv Lowry to the team as the Rockfish Recovery Coordinator. Working out of the Lacey, WA office, Dayv will focus on implementation of the recovery plan for ESA-listed yelloweye rockfish and bocaccio, including population status evaluations, habitat conservation, and collaboration with management partners throughout the region. During his 8 years as a Senior Marine Fish Research Scientist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Dayv served as a member of the Recovery Team that developed the Puget Sound Rockfish Recovery Plan; conducted research on, and oversaw status evaluations of, groundfishes throughout Puget Sound; shared research findings through publications, briefings, and presentations; and served on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee -- making him a long-term devotee to all things groundfish. If you'd like to know more about any aspect of recovery plan implementation, groundfish research, or ecosystem-based management of rockfishes please contact Dayv by email or at 253-317-1764. We’re excited to have Dayv join us, and look forward to continuing our efforts on rockfish recovery in the Salish Sea.
New Rockfish Children’s Book Released!
Rockfish Kids Book, designed and illustrated by Claudia Makeyev
Threatened and endangered rockfish are swimming out of the depths of Puget Sound and into classrooms across the region through a colorful new book that engages students in the curious and fascinating life history of rockfish. The fully illustrated, 30-page book is free to schools in the Puget Sound region. It highlights bocaccio and yelloweye rockfish, some of the longest-lived fish in the ocean that may live to nearly 150 years old! The book was born from the promise of improved stewardship of the fish, where local populations were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 2010.
Author and artist Claudia Makeyev worked closely with Dan Tonnes and research scientists to develop the book, reviewing footage of rockfish and kelp from remotely operated vehicles and photos of tiny larval rockfish, and other species, to create the drawings of underwater scenes. “Connecting youth in the region to long-term recovery efforts for a species they aren’t likely to encounter very often is difficult. There was a real need for a vehicle to do so, and a confluence of factors came together in support of the book,” said Dayv Lowry. The book weaves the unique role of rockfish together with ecological concepts such as habitat types, the life cycles and morphology of fish, and predator-prey relationships to tell the story of the species and their environment. A Teacher’s Guide and handouts were also developed to use in the classroom. For more information on how to obtain a copy of the book and guide email Jamey Selleck, a low-resolution version can be viewed at mermaidscientist.org, or you can request a copy at our Book Order Form page.
Results from 2020 Young-of-the-Year Rockfish Surveys
Photo: Young-of-Year Rockfish in Metridium. Credit: Adam Obaza, Paua Marine Research Group
The year 2020 presented many challenges to field research and scuba-based sampling in marine ecosystems, but thanks to the consortium of citizen-scientist divers dedicated to Young-of-the-Year (YOY) rockfish surveys we were able to collect as much data as ever! Work led by our partners at Paua Marine Research Group resulted in a stable sampling effort from 2019 to 2020, with 335 transects completed in 2020. Though surveys by professional research divers were limited due to COVID-related restrictions on fieldwork, citizen divers carried the day and more than filled in this gap. The result was not only more time spent looking for YOYs, but also an increase in YOY observations. Early data review suggests recruitment of species observed was generally average compared to previous years, and having increased survey effort truly helps validate this finding.
Summary reports for YOY rockfish survey results can be found on the Science tab for rockfish webpage, and an updated report including the 2020 results will be available soon. To learn more you can also read our recent web story on engaging local divers. If you’re interested in participating in YOY survey dives, or would like more information, you can contact Adam Obaza by email.
Caroline Gibson
Photo: Caroline Gibson. Credit: Northwest Straits Foundation
It is with heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of Caroline Gibson, Director of Partnerships at the Northwest Straits Foundation. Caroline was a leader in conservation efforts across the Salish Sea, and she worked selflessly to build a diverse community of passionate individuals, organizations, and agencies who are committed to restoring its coastlines, cleaning its waters, and preserving its habitat. During her career in the Northwest Straits, Caroline also served as a member of the Jefferson Marine Resources Committee, as the Marine Program Manager at the Northwest Straits Commission, and as Executive Director of the Northwest Straits Foundation. Her spark and passion inspired others to not just talk about marine conservation, but to roll up their sleeves and do it!
Caroline formed the Salish Sea International Kelp Alliance, not only increasing awareness, understanding, and support for kelp as critical habitat, but also setting the stage for development of the 2020 Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan. She also worked with commercial fishermen on ways to reduce lost gear and mitigate impacts to marine wildlife, contributing to the NW Straits Derelict Gear Removal Program. Both of these important contributions implement key actions from the Puget Sound Rockfish Recovery Plan.
The Caroline Gibson Scholarship in Marine Studies has been established to continue the legacy of Caroline’s passion for the marine environment. It aims to support the next generation of young marine conservationists through their applied studies to sustain a healthy Salish Sea.
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