Atlantic cod is a classic New England fish, and rebuilding plans are currently in place to promote cod population growth. To better understand cod populations in the Western Gulf of Maine and Southern New England, scientists needed more location-specific biological data. That’s why we’ve teamed up with members of New England’s recreational for-hire fleet and other partners. During the first year of the pilot study called the Recreational Biological Sampling Program, or RecBio, 12 participating captains collected data from more than 3,000 cod and winter flounder. Collaborating with the recreational fishing industry for better data improves the chances for cod recovery.

Bottom Trawl Survey Complete

Our spring Bottom Trawl Survey concluded in May. Staff and crew aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow completed:
• 98 percent of the planned survey tows, temperature and salinity sampling stations
• 100 percent of the planned plankton sampling stations
• 77 eDNA stations for a new pilot study

This survey monitors fishery stock abundance and distribution on the Northwest Atlantic continental shelf from the Scotian Shelf off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, to Cape Lookout, North Carolina. The scientific team collected data and samples for fish ageing, length, weight, sex, maturity, and food habits. These are critical inputs to regional fish stock assessments helping inform fishery management decisions by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Bottom Longline Survey Complete

In May, our Cooperative Research Branch completed their annual spring Bottom Longline Survey. Staff and crew aboard the F/V Tenacious II and F/V Mary Elizabeth completed 100 percent of their planned stations in the Western and Central Gulf of Maine. Despite some early challenges with equipment and technology, the team caught 28 species and sampled more than 7,800 individual animals. Atlantic spiny dogfish made up the largest component of the catch, followed by haddock, red hake, cusk, and sculpin. The team also caught and sampled three less common species—Atlantic wolffish, Atlantic halibut, and porbeagle sharks. They also successfully tested a new tablet app for data collection that showed promising results.

7th Grade Science in the Village

Last month, nearly 250 seventh graders from Falmouth Public Schools descended upon the little Massachusetts village of Woods Hole for an amazing day of ocean science. Students enjoyed hands-on science activities at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and our Science Center’s Woods Hole Lab. At our lab, students dissected fish and learned about fish anatomy, toured our Woods Hole Science Aquarium, learned what fisheries observers do, tried on survival suits, and learned about at-sea safety. This event was sponsored by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant, and our Science Center.

Basking Shark Necropsy to Fill Data Gaps

Scientists from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, New England Aquarium, New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance joined our Apex Predators Program to perform a necropsy on a shark that had washed up on Cape Cod’s Kingsbury Beach. The team identified it as a 25-foot long female basking shark estimated to be close to 4,000 pounds. Besides physical measurements, they collected vertebrae, eye lenses, muscle tissue, and skin samples for biological studies. They also took brain, liver, gill, reproductive, and other tissue samples for disease studies. After examining the stomach, it looked like the shark may not have been feeding normally prior to death. The liver and kidneys also didn’t look healthy. It’s likely the shark was sick and died at sea. Data from this necropsy will fill critical data gaps and will help us better understand the biology and ecology of basking sharks.

Exciting Updates From Cooperative Research

Our Cooperative Research Branch recently added new information about ongoing projects to their webpage. They’ve also added a new initiative that will help connect scientists and fishermen together so that they can develop research partnerships. The Branch’s research portfolio focuses on industry-based surveys and ecosystem monitoring, biological sampling, oceanographic drivers research, technology development, and more.

Blog: Lights, Camera, Ocean

New blog from fish biologist and gear researcher Megan Amico reminds us that when it comes to the bright, excited, and hungry minds of the next generation of scientists, there are no limits to ingenuity and innovation. In September 2024, our on-demand fishing gear team got an email from a St. Anne’s-Belfield School computer science coordinator. They wanted someone from our team to talk to their middle school robotics students about on-demand fishing gear and how underwater cameras could help with it. That’s when the amazing journey began and eventually led to the students winning LEGO’s FIRST Championship World Robotics Competition! Learn how these students developed an underwater camera system that helps us continue to improve the design and functionality of on-demand fishing gear.

Director's Message

The Changing Ecosystems and Fisheries Initiative has released a new seasonal ocean forecast for the Northeast U.S. Shelf. This forecast is experimental, and its accuracy will be tested by comparing it with data from our Environmental Monitors on Lobster Traps and Large Trawler (eMOLT) Program, Ecosystem Monitoring (EcoMon) Program, and other observing programs.

The forecast predicts colder than usual temperatures in the Gulf of Maine and warmer than usual temperatures in the southern Mid-Atlantic. This may increase the productivity and/or availability of cold water species in the Gulf of Maine and warm water species in the Mid-Atlantic. If this forecast continues to effectively predict temperatures—and if links to fisheries can be demonstrated—we’ll have a powerful tool to improve the responsiveness of fisheries science and management to real-time ocean conditions.