NOAA Fisheries FishNews—December 7th

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Celebrate Corals Week Corals Week is December 4–8, 2023! Coral reefs are the most diverse habitats on the planet and serve as homes for fish, crabs, seahorses, sea turtles, and more. They provide coastal protection for communities and millions of dollars in recreation and tourism. Join us in celebrating this diverse group of invertebrate animals and the reef habitats they create. Podcast: Restoring Florida's Iconic Coral Reefs Coral reefs provide crucial habitat and storm protection and economic benefits as destinations for diving, fishing, and boating. Often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," they're essential in terms of species diversity and for the ecosystem services that they provide to humans. Mission: Iconic Reefs is an effort to protect and restore seven key reef sites in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. $1 Million Available for Coral Restoration Projects in Honor of Coral Researcher Dr. Ruth D. Gates NOAA announced the availability of approximately $1 million in Ruth D. Gates Coral Restoration Innovation Grant funding to be dispersed in FY 2024. These grants are part of our efforts to restore resilient coral ecosystems. Proposals are due by February 14, 2024. New Hope for Puerto Rico’s Coral Reefs With $10.6 million in new funding through NOAA, our long-time Puerto Rico partner the Institute for Socio-Ecological Research will expand efforts to protect and restore reefs around the island. Millionth Spiny Superhero Released to Devour Hawaiʻi's Coral-Smothering Algae A group of unlikely restoration heroes reached an impressive milestone this year: The millionth sea urchin is now working with its companions, helping struggling corals in Hawaiʻi. Since 2011, the State of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources has grown and released urchins in Kaneohe Bay in partnership with NOAA. The urchins eat invasive algae threatening corals and their ecosystems.

Highlights Last Call for Nominations for the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee NOAA Fisheries is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee. The Committee advises the Secretary of Commerce on all marine life matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. Nominations are being accepted through December 15, 2023. ICCAT Adopts Key Measures to Ensure Science-Based Management, Reduce Bycatch, and Set Robust Standards for Electronic Monitoring The U.S. delegation to the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas played a pivotal role in the adoption of a wide-ranging set of conservation and management measures. At the 2023 annual meeting parties from around the world came together to build consensus on high-priority issues.

Alaska Indigenous Scientists on St. Paul Island, Alaska, Work to Protect Marine Mammals During Native American Heritage Month in November, we celebrated the Indigenous scientists who help make our work in marine mammal conservation possible. The Tribal Government of the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island has been disentangling whales for decades, and conducts conservation projects to improve understanding of how disturbance—by people or natural events such as storms—affect laaqudan (Northern fur seals). New Evidence of Marine Heatwave Impacts on Western Alaska Chum Salmon After looking at nearly two decades of survey data, scientists found evidence to suggest that recent marine heatwave events in the eastern Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska may have played a key role in juvenile chum salmon survival. Scientists also suspect this impacted subsequent adult returns to western Alaska rivers. Cause of Death Determined for 11 Killer Whales Incidentally Caught in Fishing Gear in Alaska in 2023 NOAA Fisheries has confirmed the causes of death or injury for 11 killer whales caught incidentally in fishing gear, one during a NOAA research survey in Alaska in 2023. The majority were caught by Bering Sea/Aleutian Island catcher processor vessels using non-pelagic trawl gear targeting flatfish.

West Coast Ecological Forecasts Offer New Insight into Changing Conditions that Can Shift Fisheries, Drive Conflicts Weather forecasts only cover a few days to weeks at a time. Two new research studies describe the increasing accuracy of specialized scientific models forecasting changes in the ocean up to a year in advance. The models have increasing value as climate change drives shifts in ocean temperatures and other conditions with new and unexpected outcomes. Long-Term Conservation Efforts Pay Off for Rockfish Along the West Coast Upcoming changes in fishery management regulations mark a milestone in the ongoing efforts to conserve and sustainably manage West Coast groundfish populations. The changes are outlined in an amendment to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. They reflect more than two decades of conservation work and will benefit both commercial and recreational fisheries. Sheltering Science at the End of the Earth Each summer, NOAA Fisheries scientists spend 3 months at a field camp on Cape Shirreff to monitor populations of seals, penguins, and other predators displaced by climate change. The tiny Antarctic field camp protected NOAA scientists for decades but had since fallen into disrepair. Learn about the old camp and how we are replacing it with a newer, more sustainable one.

Pacific Islands Autonomous Vehicles Powered by Ocean Waves Support NOAA Fisheries Research Scientists from NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center are using autonomous surface vehicles called Wave Gliders to study ocean health in Hawaiʻi. Wave Gliders are circumnavigating each of the Hawaiian Islands to collect data on ocean conditions. This information will be used to help estimate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries across the state.

Southeast Seeking Shrimpers to Help Modernize Data Collection We are looking for volunteers in the Gulf of Mexico shrimping industry to adopt a new effort monitoring system that will benefit both shrimpers and scientists. Did we mention you can choose your own device—and it’s free?

New England/Mid-Atlantic Science Blog: Setting Sail on the First Leg of the 2023 Fall Bottom Trawl Survey Rob Alexander is a gear technician and part of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s net loft team. He participated in the fall bottom trawl survey aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow and blogged about his experience. The net loft team standardizes, inspects, and repairs nets to ensure a scientifically sound survey. Meet Rob and learn more about the bottom trawl survey. New Paper Snowflake Crafts to Help You Celebrate Winter Decorate your walls, windows, ceiling, holiday tree, and even your holiday cakes with these four designs. Want to create your own snowflake? We’ve got you! There’s a blank template for you to create your own.

Upcoming Deadlines December 15: Deadline for nominations to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee December 15: Pre-proposals due for the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program 2024 Funding Opportunity December 18: Public comments due for the 60-day request for information on Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska  December 18: Public comments due for proposed federal management of salmon fishing in Cook Inlet December 19: Applications due for Coastal Habitat Restoration Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities  December 20: Applications due for Fiscal Year 2024 Small Business Innovation Research Notice of Funding Opportunity January 3: Applications due for Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program February 5: Applications due for NOAA Gulf of Mexico Bay Watershed Education and Training Program February 13: Applications due for NOAA’s Climate Ready Workforce Funding Opportunity February 13: Applications due for NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge Funding Opportunity February 14: Proposals due for Ruth D. Gates Coral Restoration Innovation Grant funding February 16: Applications due for Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training Program February 20: Applications due for NOAA New England Bay Watershed Education and Training Program March 20: Full proposals due for the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program 2024 Funding Opportunity View more news and announcements

Upcoming Events December 4–8: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council December 2023 Meeting  December 7–12: North Pacific Fishery Management Council December 2023 Meeting December 11–14: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council December 2023 Meeting December 12: Webinar on the application process for the 2024 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training Program December 12–13: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council December 2023 Meeting December 14: Webinar for Educators: Performance Assessments and MWEEs in Elementary School December 15: Webinar on the Seafood Import Monitoring Program review December 16: Woods Hole Science Aquarium Hosting Santa December 18: Webinar on the application process for the 2024 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training Program January 8: Workshop for Educators: Climate Resources for Supporting MWEEs January 29—February 1: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council January 2024 Meeting January 30—February 1: New England Fishery Management Council January 2024 Meeting February 5: Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Research Summit February 6: Workshop for Educators: Creating a District Environmental Literacy Plan  March 4: Applications due for Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund funding opportunity March 5–7: North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Risk Reduction Technology Workshop 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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