The Northeast Fisheries Science Center is a place where history and science come together. We have a 150-year legacy of science for public service focused on fisheries, aquaculture, protected species, and, more broadly, the marine ecosystem and climate change. Here is a new short video of our story. I’d like to take this moment to thank the dedicated people who work tirelessly in support of our mission and thank our partners who support us each step along the way. Jon Hare, Center Director.

In celebration of our 150th anniversary, we continue to highlight people and activities that helped build the foundation of fisheries and marine science. Check out our two latest feature stories below, and this scrapbook page where we share the unsung heroes, key places, and special events that have helped shape the legacy of our science center.

• Meet Ambrose Jearld, Jr.: Researcher, educator, mentor and advocate for diversity and inclusion within NOAA and the scientific community. 
• Meet John “Jack” Casey: Internationally recognized shark researcher, mentor, and Narragansett lab co-founder.

The Milford Laboratory, a world leader in aquaculture science, was first established at the request of Connecticut’s oyster industry to help expand sustainable harvests. Since the 1930s, Milford lab scientists, working closely with industry and academia, have made fundamental contributions to our understanding of shellfish biology. Today, the Milford lab continues to conduct state-of-the-art science that informs management for the sustainable expansion of aquaculture, provides services to the shellfish aquaculture industry, and advances new technologies through collaborative research. Check out this new video about our Milford lab.

The Atlantic sea scallop fishery is one of the most valuable in the United States. That success depends on accurate information about the scallops and their deep ocean habitat. And this is where our scallop survey comes into play. This survey uses both a traditional dredge and a towed vehicle called the HabCam to collect the vital information needed to support the scallop fishery. Follow center scientist Christine Kircun as she blogs at sea about this survey and shares some of the incredible images collected by the HabCam.

We have several important management track and research track stock assessment events coming up. The September management track peer review meeting for Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank cod stocks will be held September 13-15, 2021. The haddock research track peer review meeting is scheduled for January 24-28, 2022. This meeting will be conducted with Canadian participation and include the Gulf of Maine, Eastern Georges Bank, and Georges Bank stocks. Lastly, the short-finned squid (Illex) and butterfish stocks will be peer reviewed March 7- March 11, 2022.

Ask any shellfish producer about their biggest fear in operating a successful hatchery and it’s likely that their response will be hatchery collapse from disease. Research conducted at our Milford lab is looking at a groundbreaking probiotic food supplement that could give oyster hatchery farmers an advantage against disease. Shellfish aquaculture industry stakeholders offer their perspectives on the benefits of this promising oyster probiotic and the impact it could have on oyster hatcheries worldwide.

The Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS) has an updated model viewer— an interactive online tool that shows seasonal abundance estimates that incorporate environmental habitat characteristics for marine mammals, turtles, and seabirds in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Currently the maps display predicted marine animal densities by season using data collected during our science center's shipboard and aerial surveys, combined with environmental habitat information like temperature and salinity, and physical characteristics like seafloor shape and distance from shore. Speaking of AMAPPS, follow chief scientists Debra Palka as she blogs about this survey aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.

NOAA Fisheries, in coordination with the New England Fishery Management Council, is soliciting Atlantic sea scallop research proposals for 2022-2023. The competition closes on October 22, 2021. Unique to the New England/Greater Atlantic region, research set-aside programs support applied research that informs fishery management decisions and improves stock assessments. Full details on 2022-2023 program priorities, eligibility, application and submission, the review and selection process, award information, and more can be found in the related documents posted with the application information.

The 11th Atlantic Salmon Ecosystems Forum will be held on January 11 and 12, 2022 at the Wells Conference Center, University of Maine, Orono. Given the continued uncertainty of in person events, arrangements are being made for both in-person and virtual formats for both attendees and presenters. The call for abstracts will be starting at the beginning of September, and will be seeking oral presentations (both in person and virtual) and poster submissions covering a range of topics pertaining to the ecology, conservation, restoration, and management of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous species.