NOAA Fisheries FishNews — September 8

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

Highlights Meet Kristen Koch, Acting Chief Science Advisor and Director of Scientific Programs In July, NOAA Fisheries named Kristen Koch the acting Chief Science Advisor and Director of Scientific Programs. We sat down with Kristen to learn more about her background, her goals for fisheries science, and even her favorite work memory to date. NOAA Fisheries Awards $2.3 Million for Bycatch Reduction Research NOAA Fisheries has awarded funding for 13 projects totaling approximately $2.3 million under the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program. The awards support key partners in the research and development of innovative approaches and strategies for reducing bycatch in our nation’s fisheries. Final Rule to Establish National Minimum Insurance Requirements for NOAA Fisheries Programs That Permit or Approve Observer Providers NOAA Fisheries created a final rule to establish a national minimum suite of insurance requirements for authorized observer providers. Ensuring equity for observers across this insurance landscape nationally was a priority for NOAA and its observer providers.

Alaska 2022 Belugas Count!: NOAA Fisheries and Partners Invite Public to Help Count Cook Inlet Beluga Whales After a 2-year pause, NOAA Fisheries and our partners are excited to announce the return of the Annual Belugas Count! event—Saturday, September 17, in the greater Anchorage area. Come help spot and count endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales and learn about these iconic Alaska marine mammals from species experts. Message from the Alaska Regional Administrator on New Strategic Plan The plan provides direction for the Alaska Region to focus energy and resources over the next 5 years. Wildlife Viewing Guidelines: Share the Water NOAA would like to remind everyone to safely enjoy the water with our marine friends. Preliminary Survey Results for 2022 Eastern Bering Sea Crab Survey The survey showed continuing low numbers of adult snow crabs, but lots of immature crab—which may help the fishery in future years.

Southeast Science Blog: Data Collection Mile After Mile, Year After Year The need for reliable and consistent data to support stock assessments highlights the importance of conducting the bottom longline survey annually for sharks and reef fish. This post is part of the 27th Year of the Southeast Bottom Longline Survey science blog series.

Upcoming Deadlines September 12: Comments due for 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Revise the Critical Habitat Designation for the North Pacific Right Whale September 24: Applications due for American Fisheries Advisory Committee membership September 30: Deadline extended–online comments due for the Draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy September 30: Comments due for Rule to Amend the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Regulations September 30: Nominations due for the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas  October 5: Proposals due for Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities November 22: Grant applications due for USDA's Regional Food Business Centers Program View more news and announcements

Upcoming Events September 7–8: September 2022 HMS Advisory Panel Meeting September 7–14: Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting September 12–16: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting September 17: 2022 Belugas Count! September 22: Public Presentations: Recreational Fisheries Policy Update (6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. EST) September 26–29: New England Fishery Management Council Meeting View more events

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

Questions? Visit our website for national and regional contact information

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