NOAA Fisheries FishNews—August 8

August 8, 2024 Highlights We Are Making Progress on Two Major Recreational Fishing Data Collection Initiatives Our Office of Science and Technology Director Evan Howell provides a progress update on the ongoing study of the Fishing Effort Survey and the collaborative initiative to re-envision the recreational fishing data partnership. Climate Change Threatens the Survival and Recovery of Black Abalone Black abalone are sensitive to climate change impacts, such as increasing water temperatures and increasing sedimentation events from intense fire and storm activity. These challenges make them more vulnerable to lethal disease and burial. Biden-Harris Administration, NOAA to Provide $600,000 for Citizen Science The Department of Commerce and NOAA announced a $600,000 funding opportunity for members of the public to conduct science that helps fisheries and fishing communities prepare for climate change. We’re seeking proposals for citizen science projects, marking a unique collaboration with members of the general public who will actively participate in the scientific process, alongside researchers, to address real-world questions. NOAA to Host Virtual Public Meeting in Advance of International Whaling Commission Meeting NOAA will host a virtual public meeting on August 26, 2024, at 3 PM ET in advance of the upcoming 69th meeting of the International Whaling Commission. Any U.S. citizen interested in U.S. whale conservation and management policy may participate and share their views. If you would like to attend, please register in advance. A Federal Register notice announcing the public meeting can be found on the Federal Register website. DisMAP Expands Spatial Analysis Capabilities with New Update DisMAP’s Area Overlap Analysis Tool just got a powerful upgrade! The tool allows users to analyze the overlap between the biomass of a selected species and a geographic area of interest. You can upload your own custom shapefiles for analyses, allowing them to explore a more specific geographic area of interest. Data from 2023 is now also available in the portal for all regions except the Southeast and the Gulf of Mexico, which has data available through 2022. Alaska Jennifer Ferdinand Named Alaska Fisheries Science Center Deputy Director NOAA Fisheries has selected Jennifer Ferdinand to serve as Deputy Director of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. The Center provides critical science to support the management of Alaska marine fisheries and conservation of marine protected resources. We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer, who will begin her new position on August 12. Ship Strike Suspected as Cause of Death of Two Whales in Alaska Alaska stranding network members necropsied two humpback whales in Icy Strait in July 2024. For one humpback whale the injuries were consistent with a ship strike; the other is still undergoing review. West Coast Teams and Technology Trace Klamath River Recovery by Tracking New Salmon Returns The removal of four dams on the Klamath River will reopen more habitat to Pacific salmon than all previous dam removals in the West combined. Now it will have a monitoring program to match—designed by top salmon scientists to track when and how many fish of different species return and where they go. 2024 Fisheries Art + Science Fellow to Highlight Salmon Reintroduction The Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design and NOAA Fisheries have selected accomplished environmental artist Nellie Geraghty for the fifth Art + Science Fellowship. The 2024 Fellowship invites her to use art to help engage residents, landowners, water users, and others in the Columbia River Basin, seeking to engage communities in returning salmon to historical habitat. Toxic Algal Bloom Affecting California Sea Lions and Dolphins Strong upwelling of nutrient-laden water from the deep ocean is driving a bloom of harmful algae along the Southern California coast. The algal bloom produces domoic acid, which can poison marine mammals. A Boater Drove Through a Pod of Killer Whales. Turns Out a Wildlife Videographer Was Filming. A Bellingham, Washington, man has agreed to pay a $1,000 civil penalty after a nearby wildlife videographer recorded his 51-foot recreational vessel passing through a pod of killer whales in 2022. Southeast NOAA-Funded Program Helps Miami Teens from Under-Resourced Schools Enter Marine Science Field The Your Shores program at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science provides high school students from diverse backgrounds with dive certifications, habitat restoration and research experience, and marine science training. Science Blog: Southeast Scientist Invited to West Coast Pelagic Trawl Survey Southeast fisheries biologist Andy Ostrowski is participating in the Southwest Coastal Pelagic Species Trawl Survey. In this blog, Andy shares what he hopes to learn and how the survey is off to an exciting start! Science Blog: A Rice’s Whale Sighting and At-Sea Wellness Hear from the crew of the 2024 Vessel Survey for Abundance and Distribution of Marine Mammals and Seabirds about their journey so far, including a rare Rice’s whale sighting, and how they’re working to stay fit. Meet NOAA IN FISH Intern, Jonathan Venable Jonathan Venable shares insights from his time as an IN Fish intern in this edition of Faces of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Science Blog: Many Marvelous Marine Mammals There have been  many exciting sightings aboard the 2024 Vessel Survey for Abundance and Distribution of Marine Mammals. The crew details the marine mammals they spotted on days five through seven of their survey. Science Blog: Settling Into the Coastal Pelagic Species Trawl Survey—Complete with Fish and Whales Trawl biologists and NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker crew are settling into the Coastal Pelagic Species expedition while dealing with higher seas. Upcoming Deadlines August 31: Comments due on updated Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Road Map  September 17: Applications due for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I October 23: Comments due on proposed rule for 10 species of giant clams under the Endangered Species Act October 30: Applications due for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program October 31: Applications due for Species Recovery Grants to Tribes View more news and announcements Upcoming Events August 10: Woods Hole Science Stroll at NOAA Fisheries August 12–15: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting August 2024 Meeting August 13: Webinar for Citizen Science for Improved Stock Assessments and Climate-Ready Fisheries Management Funding Opportunity August 13–14: Caribbean Fishery Management Council August 2024 Meeting August 19–22: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council August 2024 Meeting August 27: Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting September 16–20: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council September 2024 Meeting September 18–24: Pacific Fishery Management Council September 2024 Meeting September 21: Milford Lab Open House September 23–25: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council September 2024 Meeting September 24–26: New England Fishery Management Council September 2024 Meeting November 4: Citizen Science for Improved Stock Assessments and Climate-Ready Fisheries Management Proposals Deadline 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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