North Atlantic right whales are one of the most endangered whales, threatened by ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements throughout their range. Today, there are only about 400 North Atlantic right whales left and it is estimated that only 85 are reproductively active females. The survival and reproductive success of these remaining females and their offspring is critical to right whale recovery.
NOAA Fisheries released a leadership message from Assistant Administrator Chris Oliver regarding the implications of shark fin sale bans for fishermen. The United States has some of the best managed shark fisheries in the world. Our laws and regulations prevent overfishing while maximizing commercial fishing opportunities and the economic value of our shark fisheries. Part of our science-based management is allowing fishermen to sell both the meat and fins of sustainably harvested sharks.
Leading fisheries scientists and managers from around the world joined forces in a new study evaluating best practices to minimize trawling impacts on ocean habitats. What they found is that there is no one best practice. Alaska may have some of the healthiest, best managed fish stocks in the world. But what works in Alaska will not work everywhere.
The first continuous multiyear acoustic monitoring effort across Cook Inlet provides the most comprehensive description of beluga whale seasonal distribution and feeding behavior to date. This knowledge is critical for understanding and managing potential threats impeding recovery of this endangered population.
A new study demonstrates that unmanned wind- and solar-powered surface vehicles can be valuable tools to track marine mammals over long distances and extended time periods. Scientists successfully tested the feasibility of using Saildrones to follow individual fur seals over long distances while simultaneously assessing their prey and habitat.
Vessel speed restrictions were established to protect right whales from potentially deadly vessel strikes. The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered whales on the planet. The latest estimate is that just over 400 North Atlantic right whales exist, which explains the high degree of interest whenever dead right whales are discovered and whenever right whale calves are born.
We continue our series to introduce the people who work at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Each month we feature a new "face" from the Center's five laboratories. We share with you a bit about who they are, what they do at the Center, and what they enjoy doing in their spare time. This month we are talking to Kwanza Johnson, academic programs coordinator at the center.
Abundance, distribution, age, and other data are vital for assessing and managing important fish species. To obtain these data, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Cooperative Research Branch works with commercial fishing vessels to conduct annual spring and fall bottom longline surveys in the Gulf of Maine.
Upcoming Deadlines
February 18 Closure for the Commercial Golden Tilefish Longline Component in South Atlantic Federal Waters on February 18, 2020.
February 21 Nominations due for Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee’s Recreational Electronic Reporting Task Force.
February 28 Comments due on measures of interest to some Atlantic Highly Migratory Species constituents.
February 29 Extension: Voluntary vessel speed restrictions south of Nantucket to protect right whales.
April 10 NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Revised Management Plan for Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
No comments:
Post a Comment