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Meet Darius Johnson, our Academic Programs Office Coordinator
As the coordinator for our science center’s Academic Programs Office, Darius Johnson is making a difference in the lives of students underrepresented in the marine and environmental sciences. His work involves growing and improving two exciting internship programs: Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship Program and Woods Hole Partnership Education Program. Find out how he’s doing that, what he loves most about his work, what Black History Month means to him, his top foodie, hiking, and motorcycle spots, and more in our latest highlight.
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2023 Maine Fishermen’s Forum
Staff from our science center and regional office will be attending the Maine Fishermen’s Forum on March 2 to 4, 2023, in Rockport, Maine. We’ll join our partners and many others to lead seminars and panel discussions about fisheries and offshore wind development, fishing industry-based data collection, and our cooperative research summits. Our leadership will answer questions during the federal fisheries leadership panel and we’ll be at four different booth locations talking about our science, research and monitoring programs, the 2023 commercial fishing cost survey, and more.
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Fisheries Observer Blog
Nichole Nigrin has been an observer for 5 years and is certified to observe fisheries that use gillnet, trawl, longline and handline, pot and trap, and clam dredge gears. In her blog, she reflects on a memorable longlining trip off Long Island, New York, targeting golden tilefish. She shares what it’s like to live the observer life: the good, the bad, and the spectacular—“One of the things I really enjoy about being an observer is that every second of every day is new and different. You need to be ready for anything in this job. Problem solving is a mandatory skill and I love that!”
Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a fisheries observer? Learn how here!
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Fisheries Science and Management Workshops
Last month, the Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) held its Fisheries Science Workshop in Falmouth, Massachusetts, after a 2-year hiatus of in-person workshops. This fishing industry-moderated workshop brought together fishermen, scientists, and managers to build relationships and to provide education and tools industry members can use to engage in the fisheries science process. As part of the workshop, participants met with our staff and toured the R/V Gloria Michelle, the “net loft,” and our fisheries observer training facility. The workshop wrapped up with a panel discussion led by our director Jon Hare, and branch chiefs Russ Brown and Anna Mercer. Topics discussed ranged from stock assessments and cooperative research to offshore wind development. The organizers are planning a second MREP workshop this year, focused on how to participate effectively in the fisheries management process. It will be held on March 21 to 23, 2023, in Hanover, Maryland. Registration required.
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Yellowtail Flounder Stakeholder Engagement Meeting
The Yellowtail Flounder Working Group will hold a virtual stakeholder meeting on Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. This science-focused meeting will begin with an update on the yellowtail flounder research track assessment and then open for stakeholder questions and input on topics including:
- Changes in sizes or body conditions
- Observed changes in spatial distribution (location, depth, or habitat)
- Effects on the economic viability of the fishery
- Review of catch data including landings and discards
- Environmental changes
To participate in the meeting, please register by March 8, 2023. If you cannot attend but would like to add a question or comment, you can do so on the registration form. The terms of reference can be found on the left side of the meeting event page under the key resources. For questions, please contact Michele Traver or Alexander Dunn.
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Study Fleet Program Seeks New Industry Partners
Our Cooperative Research Branch’s Study Fleet Program is recruiting new vessels that participate in the squid, mackerel, butterfish, scup, black sea bass, summer flounder, whiting, haddock, monkfish, or tilefish fisheries. These fisheries have been identified as priorities for collecting real-time, long-term, tow-by-tow data using our specialized software and automated oceanographic sensors. Vessel owners should watch for a quote notice that we plan to release on March 1, 2023, on the System for Awards Management website. For questions, please contact Katie Burchard.
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2023 Gray Seal Abundance Survey
Researchers at our science center have partnered with Oceans Unmanned to help with our gray seal abundance survey. Last month, the team surveyed one of the largest gray seal breeding colonies in our region. Oceans Unmanned surveyed the colony from the sky with their drones as our team was tagging seals with satellite tags and performing health assessments on the ground. While out, the drone captured this great photo of our team in action, collecting data on a seal.
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Social-Ecological Vulnerability Workshops
Director’s Message
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey each had their warmest January on record. This is another indicator of climate change in the region—change which is affecting many, if not all, of our managed species and their habitats. This month, the application phase of East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning effort is taking place with a managers summit. The goals of the summit are to help identify the consequences for future fishery governance and management, and to suggest recommendations for changes to existing approaches or arrangements. This is an important step for our region to adapt our science and management to climate change and develop climate-ready fisheries. Summit participants include representatives from the South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and New England Fishery Management Councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and NOAA Fisheries.
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
Feb 22 Atlantic Cod TOR1 Subgroup
Feb 23 Assessment Oversight Panel for June Management Track stocks
Mar 2–4 Maine Fishermen’s Forum
Mar 5 Assessing Vulnerability of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Social-Ecological System
Mar 9 Yellowtail Flounder Working Group Stakeholder Engagement
Mar 10 Atlantic Cod Working Group
Mar 21–23 Marine Resource Education Program Fisheries Management Workshop
Mar 27–30 ICES Fisheries and Plankton Acoustics Symposium
May 20–21 Ocean Fun Days
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Upcoming Deadlines
Feb 20 NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office and Chesapeake Research Consortium joint internship programs applications
Mar 16: NOAA Fisheries Draft National Seafood Strategy, public input
Apr 17 Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Research Program funding opportunity applications
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