NOAA Fisheries FishNews – May 22, 2019

MAY 22, 2019

Highlights Video: NOAA Fisheries and the Endangered Species Act Last Friday was Endangered Species Day. The Endangered Species Act was established in 1973 to conserve threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems. Under that law, NOAA Fisheries works every day to protect, conserve, and recover our nation’s marine life. Hawaiian Monk Seal Rehab and Recovery NOAA scientists are working with partners to rehabilitate and vaccinate endangered Hawaiian monk seals in an effort to recover the species. A new podcast interviews Dr. Charles Littman, lead scientist of NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, and veterinarian Michelle Barbieri to learn more about these recovery actions. 10 Reasons King Crabs Rule Red king crab support important commercial fisheries off Alaska. Did you know they can live up to 20 to 30 years? Read 10 facts about king crabs and their role in Alaska. And for even more information on red king crab, visit their species profile on FishWatch.gov. Chesapeake Bay Office Report to Congress NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office recently submitted its Biennial Report to Congress, which is now available online. The report describes our efforts in habitat restoration, fisheries research, Bay watershed education, and oceanographic observations that have led to lasting improvements for the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

Alaska Science Blog: Spring Survey to Study Larval Fish in Gulf of Alaska This month, researchers from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center are sailing aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dysonto survey ichthyoplankton in the Gulf of Alaska between the Shumagin Islands and Shelikof Strait. Scientists will survey a variety of species, but they are particularly focused on larval walleye pollock. Aleutian Islands Are a Hotspot for Sea Life Alaska’s Aleutian Islands are a remarkable place with a rich biodiversity, a trait more commonly associated with tropical ecosystems. Learn six cool facts about this remote area. Second Dead Whale in Turnagain Arm NOAA Fisheries and partners are monitoring the position of a dead gray whale reported in Turnagain Arm near Anchorage. It’s the second dead large whale in the area this month. NOAA Fisheries is monitoring a spike in gray whale mortalities along the West Coast this spring.

West Coast Aerial Images Document Orca’s Decline Scientists from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center and partner organization SR3 collect high-resolution aerial images of Southern Resident killer whales. Recent images show that the conditions of adult female J17, and her daughter J53, are declining. We do not plan to intervene but will continue to evaluate options. Community Art Inspires Salmon Conservation in Seattle In Seattle’s largest urban stream, Thornton Creek, salmon struggle for survival. NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region and the Pacific Northwest College of Art worked with artists and community groups to highlight the salmon in Thornton Creek through the Science in Studio Program.

Pacific Islands Motherload: The Story of a Fertile Turtle Last October, Hurricane Walaka washed away an important nesting beach for Hawaiian green sea turtles. Curious to see where female turtles would lay their eggs, NOAA researchers tagged a “gravid” (ready to breed) sea turtle on the North Shore of Oahu before she headed out to find a mate and then a suitable nesting site. Researchers Embark to Study Monk Seals and Sea Turtles NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette embarked on a 27-day research expedition throughout the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to support research and recovery of endangered Hawaiian monk seals and threatened green sea turtles. The ship will deploy scientists to field camps in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for the next 4 months.

Southeast Modifications to Sea Turtle Release Gear Regulations NOAA Fisheries announced new modifications to sea turtle release gear for the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. These include three newly approved sea turtle release devices, and clarifications to regulations. South Atlantic Council Seeks Executive Director The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, seeks applicants for the position of Executive Director. Applications are due June 21.

Greater Atlantic Correction: Cod and Haddock Measures By May 28, please submit your comments on proposed 2019 recreational measures for cod and haddock in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. The original version of this proposed rule included a transcription error in Table 2 regarding the recommended minimum size for Gulf of Maine haddock; this updated Federal Register noticecorrects that table. Proposed 2019 Recreational Summer Flounder Measures – Open for Public Comment By June 3, please submit your comments on proposed recreational fishery management measures for the 2019 summer flounder fishery. We propose continuing the conservation equivalency approach for the fishery, in which states or regions develop measures that will achieve the necessary levels of conservation. While this rulemaking is underway, a final interim rule revises the 2019 summer flounder specifications to reflect the results of the most recent benchmark assessment. Watch Out for Whales South of Nantucket NOAA Fisheries established two new voluntary vessel speed restriction zones to protect North Atlantic right whales spotted on May 15 and 16. A total of four zones are now in effect. Mariners are requested to route around these areas or transit through them at 10 knots or less.

Upcoming Deadlines June 21: Applications due for the position of Executive Director of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

Upcoming Events May 23: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland. May 23: Free Atlantic Shark Identification workshop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. June 3–6: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting in Miramar Beach, Florida. June 3–10: North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Sitka, Alaska. June 4: Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustees’ public engagement opportunities in Pensacola, Florida. June 4–6: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in New York City. June 6: Deepwater Horizon Trustee Council annual public meeting in Pensacola, Florida. June 7 and 10: Two free Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops in Massachusetts and Maryland. June 10–14: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Stuart, Florida. June 11–13: New England Fishery Management Council meeting in Portland, Maine. June 19–25: Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in San Diego. June 20: Free Atlantic Shark Identification workshop in Manahawkin, New Jersey. June 24–27: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Honolulu.

Federal Register Actions Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations web page to learn more about recently proposed and finalized regulations in your region.

Corrections or technical questions should be sent to the FishNews Editor at editor.fishnews@noaa.gov. www.fisheries.noaa.gov

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