NOAA Fisheries FishNews – September 16, 2021

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 Highlights 2021 Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program Awards Through Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program, NOAA Fisheries has awarded $2.2 million to partners around the country to support 12 innovative bycatch reduction research projects. Habitat Restoration Webinars Share Best Practices from Across the Nation With environmental science and technology continually advancing, the practice of restoration has evolved significantly over time. Despite these advancements, it can be difficult for the community of restoration practitioners to share the challenges and successes they face in their day-to-day work. Through the Restoration Webinar Series, NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Society for Ecological Restoration have found an accessible, engaging way to showcase innovative techniques and best practices. Alaska Discovering Deep-Sea Sponges in Alaska Deep beneath Alaska’s cold waters dwell some of the world’s most diverse and abundant sponge communities. These living structures provide essential habitat and refuge for many commercially important fish. Identifying sponge species and where they live is key information for ecosystem-based fisheries management in Alaska. Four Endangered North Pacific Right Whales Spotted in the Gulf of Alaska As the first NOAA large whale survey in the Gulf of Alaska since 2015 wrapped up, scientists had two extraordinary encounters. They saw and were able to collect valuable information on four North Pacific right whales south of Kodiak Island. Southeast New Research Shows First Successful Demonstration of Assisted Gene Flow in Corals An international team of researchers has published a paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that highlights the first successful demonstration of assisted gene flow in corals using cryopreserved sperm. The paper discusses the techniques used to achieve in vitro fertilization of coral eggs from genetically distinct populations and then raise them to the juvenile stage in captivity. Return ‘Em Right: Angling for Better Catch and Release in Gulf Reef Fisheries Gulf of Mexico reef fish anglers and charter boat captains: Improve your skills, earn gear, and support a healthy Gulf through “Return ‘Em Right.” This Gulf-wide effort provides the tools to ensure the fish we release live to fight another day. Greater Atlantic 2021 Northeast Summer Ecosystem Monitoring Cruise Completed Researchers returned to sea for the second ecosystem monitoring (EcoMon) cruise of 2021. Scientists and crew aboard the NOAA Ship Pisces sampled at 149 stations. They achieved near-complete coverage of the survey area, from north of Delaware Bay through the Gulf of Maine. The Little-Known History of the Narragansett Lab Research Aquarium When the Narragansett Laboratory was originally dedicated in October 1966, it was part of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Sportfish and Wildlife. In 1970 it came under NOAA Fisheries as part of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Upcoming Deadlines View more news and announcements. Upcoming Events September 13-17: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting September 21-23: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting September 28-30: New England Fishery Management Council 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.  Send corrections or technical questions to the FishNews Editor at editor.fishnews@noaa.gov. www.fisheries.noaa.gov

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