In 2021, researchers from our science center piloted an electronic data collection system to produce a standardized data stream of shortfin squid lengths and weights to better understand the fishery and population structure of this valuable species. The Shortfin Squid Electronic Size Monitoring Project (ILXSM) is rooted in collaboration with squid processors across the region, who are given the tools needed to contribute critically needed scientific data. Using scientific fish measuring boards, digital scales, and rugged tablets, squid processors collected more than 37,000 paired lengths and weights, and nearly 61,000 additional individual weights. For the 2022 season, processors will focus on collecting both length and weight on each squid they process.  

The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office and our science center, announced funding for six projects to advance social science and technology research on offshore renewable energy in the Northeast. The selected projects were collectively awarded more than $1.1 million in federal funds, with each project matching 50 percent in non-federal funds. This research will provide community-focused tools needed for equitable and sustainable development of our region’s coastal and ocean resources.

The 2022 spring multispecies bottom trawl survey began on March 3 and completed operations on May 12 aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. Scientists and crew completed 364 of the 377 planned representative trawl sampling stations (96 percent). This long-running, fishery-independent, bottom trawl survey monitors fishery abundance and distribution on the Northwest Atlantic continental shelf from Cape Lookout, North Carolina to the Scotian Shelf. Data collected include fish age, length, weight, sex, maturity and food habits information. All are critical data used in regional fish stock assessments that help inform fishery management decisions by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, as well as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Our Oceans and Climate Branch collects, maintains, and makes publicly available the most comprehensive plankton dataset available for the Northeast U.S. shelf and surrounding areas. The dataset contains information on hundreds of plankton species that spend part or all of their life floating in the ocean at the mercy of wind, waves, and currents. Plankton play important roles in our marine ecosystems. This 45-year dataset helps answer many questions, including those about past, current, and changing numbers and locations of commercially important fisheries species and endangered North Atlantic right whales.

Fishermen and scientists have been asking this question for a long time, so our scientists led a study to address it. Because of the intent and design behind our Gulf of Maine Cooperative Bottom Longline Survey, it’s a great source of data to compare with our bottom trawl survey data. When the research team compared the two sets of catch data, they found that large cod were rarely caught in either survey. However, when they compared the survey data for white hake, they found that large hake were captured more frequently during the bottom longline survey. Results from this study will help improve and strengthen stock assessment models for these species.

Our passive acoustic research group has developed detection reporting system templates to report and archive acoustic detections of whales. They help streamline detection results so they can be included in our Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map and integrated with other similar marine data archives like National Centers for Environmental Information and Darwin Core. The 24-hour North Atlantic Right Whale reporting data template will be used along with the NOAA Right Whale Sighting Advisory System data to help establish slow zones to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales.

Offshore renewable energy development is increasing in our region and we need ways to detect endangered and protected species that may be moving through. Passive acoustic monitoring can help detect whales, mitigate risk, and evaluate potential behavioral and distributional changes resulting from offshore wind development activities. This new infographic explains how aerial survey observations and passive acoustic monitoring work together to help protect endangered and protected species moving through offshore wind energy construction areas. 

Our Cooperative Research Branch is recruiting new Study Fleet vessels who participate in the longfin squid, shortfin squid, mackerel, butterfish, scup, black sea bass, summer flounder, whiting, haddock, and tilefish fisheries. These are the fisheries we have prioritized for obtaining high-resolution catch, effort, and environmental data to address science and management needs. The Study Fleet captains and crews use specialized software, automated oceanographic sensors, and real-time data transmission to collect detailed data. Study Fleet vessels receive training and compensation for their participation. Contracts will be awarded in August 2022 with a start date in September 2022.

The 17th Flatfish Biology Conference will be held November 15 to 16, 2022, in Westbrook, Connecticut. The conference was first held in 1986. It is a forum where a diverse community of national and international scientists, researchers, and students present research findings, and share their knowledge in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Surveys are a critical part of our science enterprise. The Northeast Fisheries Science Center conducts surveys using NOAA ships, small boats, and aircraft, charter ships, cooperative research vessels, uncrewed aerial systems, and more. Each of our surveys contributes valuable data in support of our mission—to provide the scientific information and tools necessary for productive, sustainable, and healthy marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Some of our surveys have been collecting continuous data streams for more than 40 years, an incredible time series of data in science. 

The advent of offshore wind energy development will change where and how we survey in some areas. There are also newly available research platforms and technologies we hope to use to make our surveys better. Finding ways to move our surveys forward in the most effective and efficient way is both challenging and exciting. We look forward to working with our partners to develop plans to improve our surveys while ensuring critical scientific data collection continues.