NOAA Fisheries FishNews — May 25

MAY 25, 2023 The Endangered Species Act: 50 Years of Conserving Species Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act by learning more about NOAA's work to conserve endangered species and their habitats. Why We’re Celebrating the Endangered Species Act at 50 Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Janet Coit discusses how the Endangered Species Act is a powerful and effective tool for conserving species and their habitats. Podcast: The Endangered Species Act at 50 In 1973, with bipartisan support, Congress passed and the President signed the Endangered Species Act, one of the most powerful conservation laws in history. On this episode of Dive In with NOAA Fisheries, we celebrate the Endangered Species Act as it approaches its 50th anniversary, with Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries. Video: Climate Change and Marine Animals—A Conservation Challenge Climate-driven changes such as higher ocean temperatures and extreme weather events are affecting the health of marine animals—and their ability to survive. Highlights NOAA Fisheries Releases Final Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy NOAA Fisheries released its first-ever national Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy to guide the agency as it focuses on serving all communities more equitably and effectively. This national strategy describes the path we will take to incorporate equity and environmental justice into the vital services we provide to communities. NOAA Announces Projects Recommended for Saltonstall-Kennedy 2023 Funding NOAA Fisheries announced more than $11 million in grants for 40 projects under the 2023 Saltonstall-Kennedy Competitive Grants Program. The grant funding will support the promotion, development, and marketing of U.S. fisheries. NOAA Announces the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program Report From 2016 to 2020, the Prescott Grant Program awarded more than $16 million through 187 competitive grants to Stranding and Entanglement Network members and research collaborators. This new report provides an updated overview of regional stranding and entanglement response over 5 years. The report contains summaries of selected Prescott Grant recipients highlighting their many accomplishments using Prescott funding. Celebrating Seaweed by the Seashore Seaweed farmers and businesses, academics, state and federal agencies, non-profits, and community leaders celebrated the growing domestic seaweed industry by flocking to Portland, Maine, for Seaweed Week and the National Seaweed Symposium from April 24 to April 27, 2023. Alaska Visualizing Shifts of Pollock and Cod in the Northern Bering Sea in Response to Warming Waters NOAA Fisheries’ Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal displays changes in distribution over time for hundreds of marine species. It uses data from surveys such as NOAA Fisheries bottom trawls. This week, the portal got three major updates, the most significant being the incorporation of survey data from a new region—the Northern Bering Sea. West Coast Saving White Abalone: Celebrating the People and Partnerships Marking the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving white abalone from extinction. White abalone are among nine Species in the Spotlight; these are species that NOAA Fisheries has identified as facing a high risk of extinction, and where concerted recovery actions can make the difference. Saving Central California Coast Coho: Celebrating the People and Partnerships Marking the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Central California Coast coho salmon from extinction. Central California Coast coho salmon are among nine Species in the Spotlight; these are species that NOAA Fisheries has identified as facing a high risk of extinction, and where concerted recovery actions can make the difference. Saving Southern Resident Killer Whales: Celebrating the People and Partnerships Marking the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Southern Resident killer whales from extinction. Southern Resident killer whales are among nine Species in the Spotlight; these are species that NOAA Fisheries has identified as facing a high risk of extinction, and where concerted recovery actions can make the difference. Southeast New Plan Outlines Strategies for Conserving South Atlantic Salt Marsh Habitat The South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative has released a plan for conserving approximately 1 million acres of salt marsh threatened by climate change. Gulf of Mexico Fishermen Reflect on Efforts to Restore Oceanic Fish As the Oceanic Fish Restoration Project wraps up after 5 years, the Gulf is starting to see juvenile populations of oceanic fish return. The collaborative partnership aimed to reduce bycatch and lessen the fishing pressure on pelagic species. NOAA Enforcement Helps Protect Marine Life in National Marine Sanctuaries NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement recently partnered with federal and state enforcement agencies to protect sea turtles in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Gear Up for the Summer Snapper Season with Return ‘Em Right Summer is around the corner! The Return ‘Em Right project is ready to support anglers flocking to the Gulf of Mexico’s waters for the opening of red snapper season. The Return ‘Em Right project provides eligible anglers with free release gear, shipped to their door. Eligible anglers include those who fish recreationally offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and who have completed a short training. Improvements to Recreational Fishing Data Collection Ahead of Red Snapper Season Red snapper season is approaching. Field samplers with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will be deploying tablet-based data collection and submission as part of the state’s Snapper Check program. “This switch to tablet-based data collection from paper streamlines our process and results in the availability of more timely data,” said Kevin Anson, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division, chief marine biologist. New England/Mid-Atlantic Northeast Fisheries and Ecosystems Continue to Depart from Historical Norms 2023 State of the Ecosystem reports show continuing physical, chemical, and biological changes in coastal Mid-Atlantic and New England ecosystems. Woods Hole Science Aquarium Reopened May 15 The NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Woods Hole Science Aquarium re-opened on May 15. While the upper gallery remains closed, the main gallery and seal enclosure is open to the public. The aquarium is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends and federal holidays. Upcoming Deadlines June 2: Comments due for Proposed Designation of Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary June 5: Comments due for proposed incidental take regulations related to the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project July 3: Comments due for Draft Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Essential Fish Habitat 5-Year Review July 6: Comments due for Petition to Establish Vessel Speed Measures to Protect Rice’s Whale July 19: Applications due for USDA's Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program July 24: Pre-proposals due for FY24 Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity Aug 18: Grant applications due for Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program View more news and announcements Upcoming Events June 5–8: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting  June 6–8: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting  June 8–13: North Pacific Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting June 12–16: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting June 15: Informational webinar on FY24 Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity June 20–27: Pacific Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting June 21–22: Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Conference June 26–29: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council June 2023 Meeting June 27–29: New England Fishery Management Council June 2023 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.  Questions? Visit our website for national and regional contact information

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