NOAA Fisheries FishNews – January 20, 2022

JANUARY 20, 2022

Highlights Celebrating 50 Years of Ocean and Coastal Conservation Fifty years ago, Congress took action to protect the nation’s ocean and coasts when it passed a set of powerful laws that help form the foundation for the nation’s coastal and marine stewardship today: the Clean Water Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and National Marine Sanctuaries Act. NOAA and our partners are launching a campaign to celebrate 50 Years of Ocean and Coastal Conservation (#OceanAndCoast50) and share what we’ve accomplished together to protect these special places, habitats, and species. U.S. and Canadian Officials Focus on Risk Reduction and Protection Measures for Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales A message from NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit on a recent meeting among U.S. and Canadian officials regarding the conservation and protection of North Atlantic right whales. NOAA and BOEM Sign New Interagency Agreement on Wind Energy Development NOAA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management signed an interagency memorandum to advance wind energy while protecting biodiversity and promoting cooperative ocean use. The new agreement underscores the agencies' commitment to responsibly deploy 30 gigawatts of wind energy production capacity in federal waters by 2030. It leverages the responsibilities, expertise, and relationships of both agencies to support this goal. Army and NOAA Sign Memorandum to Advance Endangered Species Act Consultations The U.S. Department of Army’s Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and the NOAA Administrator signed a joint resolution memorandum that articulates a national-level clarification on how the effects of projects involving existing structures, such as bulkheads and piers, on listed species and designated critical habitat in Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations are evaluated.

Alaska Strategic Science Plan Released for Alaska Fisheries Science Center Alaska's arctic and sub-arctic fisheries are among the most productive, sustainable, and profitable in the world, providing millions of people with healthy protein domestically and internationally. They are also home to, or a critical summer feeding ground for, a number of  whale populations like the endangered North Pacific right whale and the Cook Inlet beluga whale.

West Coast Catch Shares Improve Fishing Safety A new study examines how catch share programs can make fishing safer by providing flexibility in when fishermen can fish. Certain "risky" behaviors make fishing one of the most dangerous lines of work. Previous research found that these behaviors dropped sharply following the adoption of catch share management in the West Coast fixed gear sablefish fishery.

Pacific Islands Must-Read Pacific Islands Stories of 2021 We are highlighting successful stories this past year that showcase our ongoing commitment to the science and stewardship of the marine environment in the Pacific Islands.

New England/Mid-Atlantic High School Students Bring Seafood to Low-Income Consumers Fishadelphia is a pilot community seafood program based in Philadelphia. It was awarded a Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant designed to connect seafood to low-income consumers. World Wars’ Impact on Woods Hole Fisheries Lab In celebration of our 150th anniversary, we are highlighting some of the interesting periods during the Woods Hole fisheries lab history, among them the two world wars.

Upcoming Deadlines View more news and announcements.

Upcoming Events January 10: Consultation on Tribal Handbook, Policy and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Guidance January 11: Consultation on Tribal Handbook, Policy and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Guidance January 13 - Public Listening Session on the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas January 19 - Public Listening Session on the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas January 21 - Public Listening Session on the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas January 25: MRIP Data User Seminar: MRIP Query Tool January 25-27: ASMFC Winter Meeting February 1-3: New England Fishery Management Council Webinar February 8-10: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Webinar February 22: MRIP Data User Seminar: Custom Domain Analyses March 31: MRIP Data User Seminar: Custom Domain Analyses 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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