NOAA Fisheries FishNews – September 18, 2019

SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

Highlights Elevated Strandings of Ice Seals in the Arctic NOAA Fisheries has declared an Unusual Mortality Event for bearded, ringed, and spotted seals in the Bering and Chukchi seas. Since June 2018, reported strandings have increased to nearly five times the average number. The UME declaration directs additional resources to respond to the strandings and triggers a special scientific investigation into the cause.  Reissued Policy for Transition to New Recreational Surveys NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Science and Technology reissued a policy directive formally documenting the Marine Recreational Information Program’s survey certification process as a key step in transitioning to a new and improved data collection design. Proposed 2020 Atlantic Shark Quotas – Open for Public Comment By October 10, please submit your comments on a proposed rule to adjust quotas for Atlantic commercial shark fisheries in 2020. The rule would also establish opening dates and retention limits for the 2020 fishing year.

Alaska Vulnerability Assessment for Eastern Bering Sea Stocks A new study by NOAA Fisheries researchers analyzed the vulnerability to climate change of 36 groundfish, crab, and salmon stocks in the Eastern Bering Sea. The assessment will serve as a guide for scientists and policymakers to ensure the continued sustainability of crab and groundfish fisheries in the area. Impacts of Oil Exposure on Arctic Cod Development NOAA scientists and partners at U.S. and Norwegian institutions published a new study demonstrating the detrimental impacts of crude oil exposure on the development, growth, and survival of Arctic cod. The multidisciplinary team conducted laboratory studies at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s Newport, Oregon, facility, one of the few facilities in the world capable of rearing Arctic fish. Building a Diverse Workforce to Meet Alaska’s Challenges This summer, NOAA Fisheries, in partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, successfully launched the new Partnership for Education Program Alaska. Modeled after a similar program in Woods Hole, it provides education and hands-on experience in marine resource–related professions for university students in order to build a more diverse workforce.

West Coast Revised Critical Habitat for Killer Whales – Open for Comment By December 18, please submit your comments on a proposed rule to expand the critical habitat designation for endangered Southern Resident killer whales under the Endangered Species Act. The expanded designation—which would include new areas off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California—reflects new understanding of the whales’ life history gained from NOAA Fisheries research over the past decade.

Pacific Islands Restoring Natural Grazing Processes to Help Coral Reefs NOAA scientists and partners conducted a recent review of the scientific literature seeking to understand why some Marine Protected Areas have not improved outcomes for corals, while others have been highly effective. They identified circumstances in which establishing an MPA to protect herbivorous fishes, which graze on algae that can outcompete corals, is particularly effective. 2019 Bottomfish Survey around Main Hawaiian Islands Researchers from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and local cooperative research fisheries are conducting an annual bottomfish fishery-independent survey in Hawaii. Throughout September, scientists aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette will deploy deep-water camera systems to check in on the “Deep-7” bottomfish species around the main Hawaiian Islands.

Southeast Sea Turtle Release Gear – Open for Public Comment By October 17, please submit your comments on the proposed rule implementing Amendment 42 to the South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan. The proposed rule would add three newly approved sea turtle release devices and update and streamline the gear regulations. Trustees Finalize Supplemental Plan for Grand Bay The Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment has finalized its supplement to the 2016-2017 Restoration Plan I. This final supplemental plan allocates $10 million in additional funds to the Grand Bay Land Acquisition and Habitat Management Project approved in the first restoration plan. Florida Approves Third Phase of Coastal Access Project The Florida Trustee Implementation Group for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment approved the Phase V.3 Florida Coastal Access Project Final Restoration Plan. The final plan selects the Navarre Beach Marine Park Addition recreational use project, which includes acquisition of a privately owned coastal parcel of land within an existing county park.

Greater Atlantic North Atlantic Right Whale Death off Long Island On Monday, NOAA Fisheries received a report of a dead North Atlantic right whale floating 4 miles south of Fire Island Inlet off Long Island. This is the ninth confirmed right whale death of 2019, and the first in U.S. waters. With help from many state, town, and nonprofit partners, the recovery team has towed the carcass ashore, and scientists will begin a necropsy soon. Proposed Clam Dredge Exemption Areas – Open for Comment By October 17, please submit your comments on a proposed rule to establish three small exemption areas where dredge fishing for surfclams or mussels would be allowed in the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area. The proposed exemption areas balance access to historic surfclam fishing grounds while minimizing the impacts of bottom gear on complex habitat. Summer Ecosystem Monitoring Survey Concludes The 2019 Northeast summer ecosystem monitoring (EcoMon) survey aboard NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter concluded recently, having sampled 136 locations. Data collected during this cruise, and other EcoMon surveys throughout the year, help researchers understand and predict changes in the Northeast ecosystem and its fisheries.

Upcoming Deadlines September 20: Proposals due for the 2020–2021 Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program. September 29: Proposals due for the 2020–2021 Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program. October 1: Applications due for companies interested in providing groundfish at-sea monitoring services in fishing year 2020 (and are not already approved to do so.) October 31: Proposals due for 2020 Species Recovery Grants to States. October 31: Proposals due for 2020 Species Recovery Grants to Tribes. November 1: Abstracts due for the 2020 Milford Aquaculture Seminar.

Upcoming Events September 19: Public hearing on a proposed rule to address bluefin tuna bycatch in the Atlantic HMS pelagic longline fishery in Gloucester, Massachusetts. September 19–20: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. September 19–30: Free tours every weekday at NOAA Fisheries’ Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute in Juneau, Alaska. September 23: Free Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshop in Warwick, Rhode Island. September 23–November 4: Five informational sessions on proposed changes to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. September 24: Engagement session hosted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Cooperative Research Branch in Hampton, Virginia. September 24–26: New England Fishery Management Council meeting in Gloucester, Massachusetts. September 26: Annual public meeting, via webinar, of the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment. October 7–10: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Durham, North Carolina. October 9: Public scoping webinar/conference call on NOAA Fisheries’ intent to prepare a draft Amendment 12 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan. October 10: Free Atlantic Shark Identification workshop in Somerville, Massachusetts. October 16 and 18: Two free Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops in New Jersey and Florida. October 19–24: Three stakeholder workshops on New England recreational fishing management in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island; please register in advance. October 21–24: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting in Galveston, Texas. October 21–24: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Pago Pago, American Samoa. November 13–14: East Coast National Electronic Monitoring Workshop in New Castle, New Hampshire. January 17: Maine Aquaculture Research, Development, and Education Forum in Belfast, Maine. February 12–13: West Coast National Electronic Monitoring Workshop in Renton, Washington.

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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