Among the highlights of our 2024 Integrated Sea Scallop and HabCam Research Survey are strong numbers of two-year-old scallops. These were found in the southern part of the Great South Channel, the eastern portion of the Nantucket Lightship Area, the northern portion of Closed Area I, and in the Elephant Trunk and Hudson Canyon South areas in the Mid-Atlantic. Sea scallops typically reach harvestable size at about age 4 and older. This is also the first survey that included three research cruises, exclusively used a commercial vessel for dredging, and deployed a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle. We’re diversifying our survey methods to ensure that we have the data needed to track this important resource.

Our ecosystem monitoring cruises help researchers understand and predict changes in the Northeast shelf ecosystem and its fisheries throughout the year. Core sampling provides data that help us understand ocean acidification as well as changes in the distribution and abundance of zooplankton and larval fish, temperature, and salinity. After a delayed start, we sampled 111 of 162 planned stations from August 12 to 23 aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. The survey had good coverage of the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Southern New England, and dropped stations from New Jersey to North Carolina because of the delay.

We supported 33 students this year through our Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship Program. These students hail from 29 different colleges and universities in 20 states and U.S. territories. Project topic areas ranged from managing and analyzing scientific data, to community engagement and public affairs, to international affairs. They also included habitat science, law enforcement support, and fish biology and ecology. Meet the students, learn about their research projects, their internship experience, and more!

Marine Safety Instructor Training is a week-long "train-the-trainer" course run by the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association focused on offshore safety. Participants learn cold-water survival skills, life raft use, fire science, and more. The goal is to reduce injuries by equipping trainers with crucial marine safety skills. In August, we hosted an MSIT session in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, training 10 people from various regional fisheries observer programs. The National Observer Program relies on trained instructors to ensure observers' safety while working offshore. The instructor training is held year-round and anyone can participate. Visit AMSEA for more information or to see upcoming classes.

Our Fisheries Monitoring and Research Division is excited to participate in Delaware Coast Day on October 6 at the University of Delaware. We will showcase our observer programs and highlight how fisheries observers play a crucial role in protecting our marine ecosystems. Our team will be available to answer questions, provide educational materials, and engage with the community about our work to ensure sustainable fisheries. Join us to learn more about how observers support the health of our oceans and fisheries. We look forward to connecting with attendees and promoting ocean conservation! 

The Cooperative Research Branch has successfully completed the first of three collaborative research cruises aboard the F/V Dyrsten. The team of biologists, oceanographers, and fishermen sought to better understand how oceanography influences the movements and biology of the northern shortfin squid. Over three days at the end of June, they sampled eleven locations off the coast of New Jersey. At each station, they deployed oceanographic equipment, collected water samples, and conducted standardized bottom trawls. They caught approximately 25,000 lb of shortfin squid and dissected some to improve our understanding of squid biology.

On September 21, our Milford Laboratory in Connecticut opened its doors to the community. Nearly 400 visitors stopped by to learn about our shellfish aquaculture and environmental research. The event featured long time popular activities including Long Island Sound touch tanks, fish printing, boats and field work demonstrations, and ocean resilience, as well as newer additions including the Northeast Oyster Breeding Center hatchery, seaweed pressing, and oyster health. The Milford Laboratory’s annual open house has been held for more than 25 years. We look forward to welcoming the public to our lab again in 2025.

In early September, the Milford Microalgal Culture Workshop hosted 13 shellfish hatchery workers. Over two days at our Milford Lab attendees learned about the theory and practice of cultivating microalgae as live hatchery feed for shellfish. Milford Lab scientists combined lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on lab activities to introduce participants to the Milford Method. The Milford microalgal team has provided this training since 1977, when Dr. Renee Ukeles held the first workshop. As the shellfish aquaculture industry expands, there is increasing demand for this service to the industry.

The Annual Northeast Fisheries Science Center Best Publication Award recognized Sofie Van Parijs, Annamaria DeAngelis, Tyler Aldrich, Rochelle Gordon, Amanda Holdman, Jessica McCordic, Xavier Mouy, Timothy Rowell, Sara Tennant, Annabel Westell, and Genevieve Davis for their publication Establishing baselines for predicting change in ambient sound metrics, marine mammal, and vessel occurrence within a US offshore wind energy area. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of baseline marine mammal distribution and habitat use in conjunction with characterizing ambient sound levels and vessel activities in one of the largest offshore wind energy areas slated for development in the U.S. The design and execution of this study helps set a standard for the level of regional monitoring necessary to understand the interactions of marine mammals and other species with expanding offshore wind development. Further, the study demonstrates the utility of using passive acoustic monitoring as a core survey tool. This paper is a prime example of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center working to achieve our vision - exceptional science and service for a changing Atlantic.