NOAA Fisheries FishNews — October 20

OCTOBER 20, 2022

Celebrating Oysters: Oyster Week 2022 Oysters are remarkable! They provide many benefits to the ecosystem they live in. They are filter feeders—they clean the water as they eat. And they grow in reefs, which provide great habitat for many other species. Join us for new features during Oyster Week. Celebrate National Seafood Month The United States is recognized as a global leader in sustainable seafood for both wild-caught and farmed species. Join us for National Seafood Month 2022 and savor delicious seafood along the way.

Highlights Deadline: Submit Comments on Proposed Vessel Speed Regulations by October 31 The public comment period on NOAA Fisheries’ proposed changes to the North Atlantic right whale vessel strike reduction rule closes October 31. To submit a comment on the proposed rule, visit Regulations.gov. As a reminder, existing annual vessel speed restrictions begin November 1, when the first seasonal management areas become active. Vessels longer than 65 feet are required to transit at 10 knots or less in these designated areas to reduce the threat of collisions with endangered North Atlantic right whales. Thirty-Six Morbidity Cases Added to North Atlantic Right Whale Unusual Mortality Event A new scientific peer-reviewed protocol adds 36 individuals to the ongoing North Atlantic right whale UME. This provides a more complete picture of this endangered species’ status and the challenges impeding its recovery. Celebrating 50 Years of Marine Mammals in the Spotlight NOAA Fisheries celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This landmark legislation protects all marine mammals in U.S. waters, including four Species in the Spotlight. Federal Agencies Release Joint U.S. Strategy for Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is one of the greatest threats to ocean health and a significant cause of overfishing. It contributes to the collapse or decline of fisheries that are critical to the economic growth, food systems, and ecosystems of numerous countries around the world. Learn about the national strategy developed by the U.S. Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing to address IUU fishing and other maritime-related threats.

Alaska Special Issue Journal Focuses on Ecosystem Processes in the Gulf of Alaska A special issue journal titled Understanding Ecosystem Processes in the Gulf of Alaska: Volume 3, Deep-Sea Research II was recently released highlighting research findings in the Gulf of Alaska. It contains papers on topics such as oceanography, nearshore environments, fish communities, and fisheries management applications. Snow Crab and Red King Crab Declines in 2022 NOAA Fisheries—in close coordination with federal and state partners—is responsible for fostering healthy, productive, and sustainable marine fisheries. Our management process is based on science and conducted according to a process outlined in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Learn about the science behind snow crab and Bristol Bay red king crab stock declines in Alaska in 2022. Alaska Mariculture Cluster Wins Regional Challenge Grant for Aquaculture The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration issues awards for impactful economic development initiatives. As part of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the Alaska Mariculture Cluster has won nearly $49 million in grants to support the local Alaska mariculture industry. This will enable shellfish and seaweed aquaculture to expand in the state.

West Coast Team Removes Rope from Entangled Humpback Whale off California Prompt reports and photos from whale watching vessels provided crucial information about an entangled humpback whale near Dana Point in Southern California. In response, a team from NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center was able to remove most of the fishing line entangling the whale. Answering the Call: Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network serves Washington’s Whatcom and Skagit County communities and helps NOAA Fisheries monitor and recover protected marine mammals. Read more about the stranding network and how to help wildlife responsibly.

Pacific Islands How NOAA Preserves the Habitat of Seafood in the Pacific Islands From protecting essential fish habitat to recovering coral colonies that have detached from the reef, NOAA supports seafood habitat in many ways. Science Blog: 2022 Pacific Islands Field Season a Success An unprecedented year for protected species in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Marylou Staman, a Marine Science Coordinator with NOAA’s Marine Turtle Biology and Assessment Program, recaps the 2022 field season and the partnerships that contributed to the mission’s success.

Southeast NOAA Fisheries, Partners Publish Timeline to Support Federal Use of Gulf State Data A collaborative team of state, regional, and federal partners have developed a multi-year transition plan to support the use of Gulf state recreational fishing data in the federal stock assessment and management process. Developed in accordance with NOAA Fisheries policies and procedures, the transition plan is an essential step in ensuring all of the information Gulf recreational anglers submit is available to inform NOAA Fisheries’ work.

Upcoming Deadlines October 24: Deadline for Marine Mammal Scientific Review Groups new member nominations October 31: Deadline—comments due for Rule to Amend the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Regulations November 18: Proposals due for the 2023–2024 Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program November 22: Grant applications due for USDA's Regional Food Business Centers Program December 1: Deadline for Sea Grant Young Fishermen’s Development Grant Program letter of intent View more news and announcements

Upcoming Events October 18–20: 2022 October Council Coordination Committee meeting October 24–27: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting October 27: Public meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee to Advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission November 5: 2022 Right Whale Festival  November 14–15: 50th United States-Japan Natural Resources Scientific Symposium 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.

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