NOAA Fisheries FishNews — May 4

MAY 4, 2023

Highlights $500,000 Available for Sea Turtle Stranding Response and Rehabilitation NOAA Fisheries will provide $500,000 to support institutions and organizations in the United States and U.S. territories that provide sea turtle stranding response and/or rehabilitation. The Office of Protected Resources plans to work through a cooperative agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to administer these funds. The Foundation expects to release a request for proposals later this summer for awards in spring 2024. Turning Science into Advice: A New Handbook for Aquaculture NOAA has developed a new Aquaculture Science Advice Handbook. It assesses aquaculture management policies, resources, and processes to provide a guide for developing science products. Share Your Perspective on Oceans, Coasts, and the National Nature Assessment The U.S. Global Change Research Program will be hosting two virtual listening sessions on framing the National Nature Assessment, focusing on the relationships between the ocean, coasts, and people. A session focused on marine topics, perspectives, and the assessment will be held on May 16, 2023, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ET, and a session focused on coastal topics and perspectives will be held on May 18, 2023, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ET.

West Coast Tribe, State, and Federal Partners To Return Endangered Salmon to Historic Habitat The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, and the Winnemem Wintu Tribe signed agreements to restore Chinook salmon to the mountains north of Redding, California, on May 1, 2023. The goal is an ecological and cultural restoration that will one day renew fishing opportunities for the tribe that depended on the once-plentiful salmon for food and much more. Reward for Information on Boater Who Drove Through Sea Lions on the Columbia River NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to a civil penalty or criminal conviction of the boater observed driving through resting California sea lions in the Columbia River on April 3, 2023, near Hayden Island, Oregon. California sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. New Research Asks, “Can Pacific Salmon Keep Pace with Climate Change?” A recent study— the largest of its kind— showed unpredictable changes in juvenile salmon migration timing in response to climate change. The study’s findings highlight the need for more research on how climate change affects salmon migration. It also underscores the importance of protecting salmon habitats and ensuring that salmon have access to food. Central California Coast Coho Salmon Need Restored Habitat to Improve Resilience to Climate Change A recent 5-year review of the Central California Coast coho salmon species conducted by NOAA Fisheries under the Endangered Species Act says that this species is still endangered and vulnerable to drought and climate change. The review is required every 5 years to ensure the species retains the correct designation of threatened or endangered and the appropriate level of protection. Southern California Steelhead Maintain Endangered Listing Status NOAA Fisheries’ 2023 5-year review finds that the southernmost endangered steelhead populations, found in rivers and streams from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County, California, warrant continued protection as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Steelhead runs in all of these watersheds have experienced sharp declines. Now they are the rarest and most critically endangered steelhead populations on the West Coast. South-Central California Coast Steelhead Maintain Threatened Listing Status NOAA Fisheries’ 2023 5-year review finds the steelhead populations of the south-central California coast warrant continued protection as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The south-central California coast includes the Salinas River (one of the largest watersheds in California) and numerous small streams along the rugged Big Sur coast. Photos: Newportal 2023 Contour Maps These contour plots display the most recent oceanographic data collected off Newport, Oregon.

New England/Mid-Atlantic Proposed Rule: Public Comment Requested on Proposed Incidental Take Regulations for the CVOW-C Project NOAA Fisheries is proposing incidental take regulations, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, to govern the incidental harassment of marine mammals related to the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project within the Virginia Wind Energy Area. The public comment period will be open from May 4 to June 5, 2023. Woods Hole Science Aquarium to Temporarily Close Starting May 1 The Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Woods Hole Science Aquarium will be closed to the public beginning May 1, 2023. The aquarium will undergo repairs to the basement foundation and reservoir.

Upcoming Deadlines May 11: Applications due for nominations of individuals for the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council May 15: Comments due for Proposed Rule to List the Sunflower Sea Star as Threatened Under the Endangered Species Act May 15: Comments due for Incidental Take Authorization: Empire Offshore Wind, LLC Construction of the Empire Wind Project (EW1 and EW2) off of New York May 25: Comments due for amendment to establish federal management of salmon in Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska June 2: Comments due for Proposed Designation of Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary June 5: Comments due for proposed incidental take regulations related to the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project July 19: Applications due for USDA's Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program Aug 18: Grant applications due for Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program View more news and announcements

Upcoming Events May 9–11: May 2023 Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Meeting May 10: Public hearing in Petersburg, Alaska, on proposal to list sunflower sea stars under the Endangered Species Act May 16: Listening session on marine perspectives on the National Nature Assessment May 18: Listening session on coastal perspectives on the National Nature Assessment May 18: Public hearing on amendment to establish federal management of salmon in Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska May 20–21: Ocean Fun Days 2023 in New Jersey May 23–25: Council Coordination Committee May 2023 Meeting June 5–8: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting  June 6–8: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting  June 8–13: North Pacific Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting June 12–16: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting June 20–27: Pacific Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting June 21–22: Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Conference June 26–29: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting June 27–29: New England Fishery Management Council June 2023 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.

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