2021 was a big year for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Together, and with the help of our partners and stakeholders, we were able to accomplish a lot in 2021 during the pandemic. Check out this short video highlighting some of our top accomplishments for 2021, which included publishing the first habitat climate vulnerability assessment, safely deploying fisheries observers and at-sea monitors, releasing a much anticipated fisheries survey net performance study, launching a new internship program, and more. 

NOAA Fisheries and partners recently published a study on the vulnerability of coastal habitats in the Northeast United States to climate change. We found salt marshes, shellfish reefs, deep-sea corals, seagrasses, kelp, and intertidal habitats to be among the most vulnerable. The coastal habitats with the highest climate vulnerability are also those most often at risk from degradation. The assessment highlights the importance of prioritizing habitat protection and restoration to support resilience and adaptability to future conditions under climate change.

The Woods Hole Partnership Education Program is accepting applications for the 2022 summer undergraduate research internship program. Based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, PEP combines course work with research in marine, oceanographic, biological, and environmental sciences. The program dates for the internship program are June 4–August 13, 2022 and applications are due by February 11, 2022.

Did you know that historically, river herring populations were enormous, and their populations reached into hundreds of millions? Today that is not the case—river herring populations are at all-time lows as a consequence of historic dam construction, habitat loss, habitat degradation, and overfishing. A recent study by NOAA Fisheries scientists and other collaborators reviews the current scientific literature on river herring in New England and the mid-Atlantic, considering also Canada and the southeastern United States. This study summarizes current knowledge and identifies research needs and threats, including consequences of dam construction, habitat loss, habitat degradation, and overfishing.

We are looking for members for the 2024 fisheries stock assessment research track working groups. If you are interested in being considered for a seat on the golden tilefish, sea scallop or yellowtail flounder working groups, please fill out this form by January 14th, 2022. Our fisheries stock assessments follow a robust, transparent and collaborative process that brings experts together to determine the overall health of a fishery. Working groups play an important role in the research track assessment process and dive deep into topics needed to better understand the overall condition of one or more stocks.

The NOAA Fisheries Inclusive Fisheries InternSHip (IN FISH!) program is now accepting applications through February 18, 2022 for the summer 2022 program. Launched in 2021, IN FISH! is an inclusive internship program sponsored by NOAA Fisheries and partners in academia and non-governmental research institutions. This paid summer internship focuses on diverse undergraduates interested in careers in fisheries marine and environmental sciences, resource management, education, and outreach.

In celebration of our 150th anniversary, we are highlighting people who helped build the foundation of fisheries and marine science. Vinal Nye Edwards, a local Woods Hole naturalist, was hired by Spencer Baird  in 1871. His knowledge of the marine environment in and around Woods Hole was legendary. He was known for his willingness to help others and for his knowledge of the lab’s operations. Edwards knew everyone at the lab, and was the “go-to person” during his nearly 50 years of service to federal fisheries.

All boaters can help save right whales by slowing down in Right Whale Slow Zones. North Atlantic right whales are one of the world’s most endangered large whale species. With the latest preliminary estimate suggesting there are fewer than 350 animals remaining, the population is in decline and needs our help. Vessel collisions (strikes) are one of the major threats that these animals face. That’s why we announce Right Whale Slow Zones—to help vessel operators to get involved in reducing the risk of vessel strikes in U.S. waters.

As a marine research librarian, Claire Steimle worked tirelessly to improve and modernize our science center’s information services and resources. When a devastating fire destroyed the library at our Sandy Hook laboratory in 1985, she immediately began salvaging materials and securing donations. Her efforts were recognized with a Department of Commerce bronze medal for restoring 33,000 volumes of scientific literature, 90 percent of the library’s original collection.

Looking forward into 2022, I see three grand challenges: adapting to climate change; providing for the coexistence of offshore wind, sustainable fishing, and wildlife conservation; and recovering from the COVID pandemic. These challenges are on top of our already challenging work: sustaining, protecting, conserving, and understanding our region’s fisheries, aquaculture systems, marine mammals, protected and threatened species, coastal and marine habitats, human communities, and the structure and function of ecosystems. These challenges are big, complex, and interconnected (aka wicked problems). So how do we address these? One step at a time and by working together.  So my New Year’s Resolution is to continue to work on these grand challenges and to promote collaboration in addressing these challenges. Jon Hare, Center Director