NOAA Fisheries FishNews May 14, 2020

MAY 14, 2020

Commerce Secretary Announces Allocation of $300 Million in CARES Act Funding On May 7, 2020,the Secretary of Commerce announced the allocation of $300 million in fisheries assistance funding provided by Sec. 12005 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to states, tribes, and territories with coastal and marine fishery participants who have been negatively affected by COVID-19. Fishery participants eligible for funding—including tribes, commercial fishing businesses, charter/for-hire fishing businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, processors, and other fishery-related businesses—should work with their state marine fisheries management agencies, territories, or tribe to understand the process for applying for these funds. President Signs New Executive Order Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth Also on May 7, 2020, the President signed a new Executive Order promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth. This Executive Order will propel the United States forward as a seafood superpower by strengthening the American economy, improving the competitiveness of American industry, ensuring food security, providing environmentally safe and sustainable seafood, supporting American workers, and ensuring coordinated and transparent federal actions. Specifically, the Executive Order calls for the expansion of sustainable U.S. seafood production through more efficient and predictable aquaculture permitting, cutting-edge research and development, regulatory reform to maximize commercial fishing, and enforcement of common-sense restrictions on seafood imports that do not meet American standards. FishWatch Offers Resources to Help You Eat Seafood, America! We know lots of Americans love to eat seafood but aren't always confident when it comes to buying and handling it. FishWatch has great information on how to choose, store, and serve up quality seafood at home. NOAA Fisheries is proud to support Eat Seafood, America!, a collaborative effort of the Seafood4Health Action Coalition. Join the conversation online by following #EatSeafoodAmerica.

Highlights Celebrating Our Work to Save Endangered Species The Endangered Species Act was established to conserve threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems. At NOAA Fisheries, we work to protect, conserve, and recover our nation’s marine life under the ESA. The productivity of our oceans and coastal communities depends on the health and diversity of marine species.

Alaska Women’s Global Fisheries Participation In a new study, NOAA fisheries scientists analyzed the current scientific literature on women’s fisheries participation worldwide. They looked at how women’s participation is tracked and identified information gaps. In response to data gaps identified during the analysis, they developed a new approach to explore women’s multifaceted engagement in commercial fisheries.

West Coast Technology Helps Unlock the World of Beaked Whales Beaked whales are a fascinating and elusive group of cetacean species (cetaceans include whales, dolphins, and porpoises). Beaked whales live in deep-water environments, and dive to incredible depths for long periods of time, making them mysterious and difficult to find. It takes a combination of luck and perseverance to study them.

Pacific Islands NOAA Live! Pacific Islands Interactive Webinar Series While children are home, we are offering a suite of six interactive webinars geared toward grades 2–8. Each webinar features a different NOAA expert and/or topic and a moderated question-and-answer session.

Upcoming Deadlines May 21 Request for Comments: Intent to Develop a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Red Grouper Management in the Gulf of Mexico. May 21 Final Rule to Replace Historical Captain Permits with Standard Federal Charter/Headboat Permits in the Gulf of Mexico.

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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