NOAA Fisheries FishNews—May 15th

MAY 15, 2025

Highlights Conserving Long-Lived Species: The Importance of Monitoring Decades-Old Individuals Conservation and recovery of long-lived species requires continued monitoring of individuals. Meet some of the animals that have been known to scientists for decades.

Alaska Interactive StoryMap on Alaska’s Aquaculture Opportunity Areas Now Available The StoryMap, “Growing the Future: Siting Alaska’s Aquaculture Opportunity Areas,” documents the process of using mapping and modeling to boost Alaska’s working waterfronts and cultivate a thriving domestic seaweed and shellfish aquaculture industry.

West Coast Microsoft Provides AI and Cloud Computing for NOAA Project to Better Map Prime Salmon Habitat Microsoft Corp. awarded NOAA Fisheries researchers 2 years worth of high-powered computing time and expertise to develop an AI model. It will forecast how changing flows in the Columbia River Basin affect salmon habitat. Washington State River Restoration Project to Revive Salmon Habitat, Support Local Jobs With support from NOAA, partners are restoring salmon habitat on the East Fork Lewis River in Washington. Their work is improving fish passage, reducing flood and erosion risks, and generating economic benefits for the local community. Elephant Seal Pup Stabbed Multiple Times on Oregon Beach NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is seeking information on the attack of an elephant seal pup in Neskowin, Oregon. The young elephant seal sustained multiple stab wounds but survived. New System at NOAA Lab Pumps Clean Seawater for Salmon and Shellfish Aquaculture Research A new system is now supplying clean seawater to the NOAA Fisheries Manchester Research Station in Washington. It replaces an older system prone to breakdowns, and ensures shellfish and other research projects have a reliable water supply.

Pacific Islands Monk Seal and Sea Turtle Research and Recovery: A Year in Review Fresh survey techniques, historic data retrieval, and rehabilitated new moms were just a few of the successes marked by the 2024 field camp season in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

Southeast Scientists Investigate Why a Sperm Whale Washed Up Along Hilton Head, South Carolina Earlier this month, a male sperm whale washed up along Hilton Head. A team of marine mammal experts from South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina mobilized to reach the dying whale. North Carolina Dolphin Found With Head Missing NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is investigating the death and decapitation of a bottlenose dolphin on Lea-Hutaff Island. We are offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to a criminal conviction or the assessment of a civil penalty.

New England/Mid-Atlantic Eyes in the Sky for Aquaculture Farmers: Location Scouting Using Satellite Data Scientists at NOAA Fisheries and CoastWatch leverage remote sensing technology to help aquaculture growers. Using satellite imagery, they can collect data on a number of water quality parameters quickly and efficiently. As Fishing Season Opens, NOAA Implements Emergency Action to Ensure Uninterrupted Northeast Fisheries A NOAA Fisheries emergency action to open the Northeast multispecies fishery ensures the fishery can continue without interruption. It is based on the best scientific information for Atlantic groundfish fisheries including cod, haddock, plaice, pollock, and other fish species.

Upcoming Deadlines May 23: Comments due on Spatial Planning Study to Identify Draft Aquaculture Opportunity Area Options Within Alaska State Waters July 13: Priority applications due to participate in the Gulf of Maine Research Institute Marine Resource Education Program in the Southeast fishery region September 10: (deadline extended) Applications due for the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s 2025 Port Infrastructure Development Program December 1: Proposals due for the Gulf Council’s solicitation for Review of Fishery Management Councils’ Regulatory Process View more news and announcements

Upcoming Events May 17–18: Ocean Fun Days 2025 May 28: Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Permanent Advisory Committee Meeting June 3–4: Gulf Fishery Management Council Meeting (relocated to Tampa, FL) June 3–5: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting June 5–10: North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting June 9–13: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting June 11–16: Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting June 24–26: 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.

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