Last month, scientists from our Conservation Ecology, Passive Acoustics, and Oceanography Branches completed the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species Survey. This year, the program is celebrating its 15th anniversary. They conducted a series of marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, and ecosystem surveys to assess the abundance and distribution of these protected species. The team has little winter data, making this survey critical to their mission. Both aerial and shipboard surveys were conducted from Massachusetts to North Carolina, inshore to the Exclusive Economic Zone. The shipboard survey is an ecosystem survey focused on multiple species and trophic level data collection on marine mammals, sea turtles, sea birds, large fish, marine plankton, and oceanographic conditions. They also collected passive acoustic data during the shipboard surveys to detect marine mammals. The aerial survey focused on documenting sightings of whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, sharks, and other marine animals like ocean sunfish and large rays. Kiersten Newtoff, a biology professor from Montgomery College in Maryland, was aboard the shipboard survey as part of NOAA’s Teacher At Sea Program.

Engineering to Support U.S. Aquaculture 

We’re developing offshore aquaculture engineering guidance to support the domestic aquaculture industry and make the permitting process more efficient. Working with our partners, we’re filling critical gaps in engineering standards, addressing the technical needs of the industry, and finding ways to optimize and improve. We are also studying the economic viability of growing shellfish in deep water/exposed environments using on-demand aquaculture gear that’s safer for our region’s protected species. NOAA Fisheries aims to bolster sustainable aquaculture in the United States. Engineering can help accomplish that by developing science and systems that support the offshore aquaculture industry. 

Project To Help Improve Stock Assessments

Our Cooperative Research Branch is partnering with the commercial fishing community to update gutted-to-whole weight conversion factors and length-weight relationships for groundfish stocks. Stock assessment models estimate population dynamics based on numbers of individuals. But commercial landings and quotas are reported in weight. Using weights of fish gutted at sea to create conversion factors allows us to translate commercial landings (weight) into numbers of individuals in a population. We’re also studying how these relationships vary by geographic region and season. We began collecting data in August 2024, both on commercial fishing trips and in fish houses. We plan to continue this work through 2026.

Observer Seminars Highlight Observer Data Use

Our Fishery Monitoring and Research Division recently hosted two internal observer seminars to recognize and emphasize the critical role observers play in fisheries management. These sessions featured:

• Leadership address
• Necropsy
• Observer wellness panel
• Presentations on groundfish plan Amendment 23, stock assessments, on-demand gear, and innovative uses of NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow survey data to develop a fish image library and create algorithms for electronic monitoring programs

The seminars highlighted real-world applications of observer data and provided a platform for discussions on both scientific advancements in northeast fisheries and observer well-being. 

Atlantic Surfclam Response to a Changing Environment

We’re working on a series of research projects to better understand surfclam growth and survival under different environmental conditions, including ocean acidification. Our results will help the commercial surfclam industry, recreational fishermen, and the emerging surfclam aquaculture industry. Atlantic surfclams support an important commercial fishery in the our region. Landings were valued at nearly $41.7 million in 2022. They also improve water quality by removing excess nutrients from the water when they filter and consume plankton. 

New Large Whale Research Photo Gallery

Our new photo gallery gives a behind-the-scenes look at some of the work we’re doing to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales. Scientists from our Whale Ecology Branch regularly conduct surveys and research to help us better understand the biology and ecology of whales in our region, especially the endangered North Atlantic right whale. They work closely with partners and collaborators to collect data and biological samples needed to assess and monitor right whale population in the calving and feeding grounds, track injury rates, identify areas of entanglement and vessel collision risks, and more. They use tools, technologies, aircraft, vessels, and strategies to do the work needed to conserve and protect the whales in our region as mandated under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. 

Blog: North Atlantic Right Whale Mom and Calf Sighting

“It’s Accordion!” Marine mammal observer Alison Ogilvie shares the pure joy and excitement she and the aerial survey team had when they spotted a female North Atlantic right whale named Accordion and her first-ever calf off the coast of New York. Mother and calf pairs are usually in the calving grounds off Florida and Georgia in early February. That’s why spotting Accordion and her calf so far north in February was quite unusual. See more behind-the-scenes aerial and shipboard survey action in our new photo gallery! 

Since January 2022, Deputy Director Nicole Cabana and I have met with every Northeast Fisheries Observer Program training class to give our perspective on the importance of the job. Our goal is to emphasize specific points that have been covered in more detail during the training courses. Specifically, the importance of: 

• Observer-collected data in fishery assessments and management
• Maintaining scientific integrity of the data collected
• Working in partnership with the captains and crews
• Ensuring safety and a safe work environment

We also answer questions, describe our career paths, and discuss the joy of working at sea. It’s important for everyone involved in fisheries to appreciate the role of observers in supporting fisheries.