NOAA Fisheries FishNews – September 24, 2020

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Celebrate Aquaculture Week and Eat Seafood, America! Marine aquaculture—or farmed seafood—is vital for supporting our nation's seafood production, providing year-round jobs, rebuilding protected species and habitats, and enhancing coastal resilience. In 2017, farm-raised seafood accounted for 21 percent of U.S. seafood production by value. Celebrate with us this week by learning more about the importance of aquaculture for our health, for the economy, and for our planet!

Highlights NOAA’s Favorite Catch Photo Contest Winner: Krie Brasseale We are excited to announce Mr. Krie Brasseale as the winner of the 2020 #NOAAsFavoriteCatch photo contest. We received more than 1,200 submissions from across the country that captured family, friends, and solo anglers fishing from shore and from vessels of every size. Report on Information Management Modernization NOAA Fisheries released a new report with a series of recommendations for the agency to modernize our data and information systems. Strategies identified in the report will help us adopt breakthrough science and technology applications to improve the management of ocean resources. U.S. Coast Guard's Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Strategic Outlook Last week the U.S. Coast Guard released its IUU Fishing Strategic Outlook, outlining its commitment to leading an international effort to combat illegal exploitation of the ocean's fish stocks and protect our national interests.  Combating IUU fishing is critical for leveling the playing field for U.S. fishermen and is a joint federal agency effort between the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA Fisheries, Department of State, and Department of Defense.

Alaska Rare Albino Fur Seal Pup Stands Out NOAA Fisheries Affiliate Vladimir Burkanov discovered an albino fur seal on a recent research trip to the remote island of Tyuleny in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia. Current Sea Surface Temperatures in the Eastern Bering Sea Summer seems to be ending everywhere, as water temperatures have passed their summer peaks and have begun their annual cooling. The eastern Bering Sea is still warmer than average but cooler than last year’s extremes.

West Coast New Conservation Plan Benefits California Steelhead—and Irrigators Improvements in fish passage and assurances of water in California’s Calaveras River will help promote recovery of threatened steelhead. These changes will be implemented under the first plan of its kind in the Central Valley of California.

Pacific Islands Citizen Scientists Help Count Deep-7 Bottomfish in Hawaiʻi The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center is launching a new citizen science project called OceanEYEs. They are seeking volunteers to help find Deep 7 bottomfish in underwater videos. Cooperative Research Key to Successful Start of Annual Bottomfish Survey in Hawaiʻi For many years, the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center has relied on cooperative research fishermen as part of survey efforts. This year was no exception.

Greater Atlantic NOAA Announces Projects for FY 2020 Chesapeake Bay B-WET Grant Funding NOAA has selected four new projects to receive a combined total of $480,375 in fiscal year 2020 funding as part of the Chesapeake Bay-Watershed Education and Training program. Including funding for projects continuing from previous years, 2020 funding totals more than $2.6 million. The new projects are based in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Meet the Analysis and Program Support Division: Providing Assistance to Fishermen The Division provides permitting, reporting, and data services in support of more than 4,000 commercial fishing vessels, 9,000 operators, 1,000 seafood dealers, and 1,100 for-hire and recreational vessels along the East Coast from Maine to North Carolina.

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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