NOAA Fisheries - FishNews—September 18, 2025

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 Highlights U.S. Champions Sustainable Tuna Fisheries in Eastern Pacific, Boosting American Fishermen and Conservation The United States took a bold leadership role this month at the annual Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission meeting, driving innovative measures to sustainably manage tuna fisheries in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Under the guidance of NOAA’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries, Andrew Lawler, the U.S. delegation prioritized American interests by enhancing conservation efforts, strengthening monitoring programs, and expanding opportunities for American fishermen. Alaska Mapping Alaska’s Wild Kelp Beds with Farmers Alaska’s coastline holds vast, untapped potential for seaweed aquaculture—but knowing exactly where wild kelp grows is critical for sustainable expansion. A new mapping project, led by NOAA Fisheries in collaboration with Alaska Sea Grant and local farmers, is working to locate these wild kelp beds. New England/Mid-Atlantic Our 2025 NOAA-Supported Education Program Students Share Insights This summer, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center hosted 19 students from 10 states and 12 different colleges and universities. Students teamed up with NOAA mentors on research projects that ranged from ocean acidification and food web dynamics to exploring new technologies and techniques for marine conservation. In each profile, students share what they liked most about their research projects and other insights about their internship experience. Where the Copepods Are: Prey Data Can Improve Right Whale Models A new collaborative study in the journal Endangered Species Research finds that incorporating copepod aggregations maps into North Atlantic right whale density models could improve those models’ predictions. The study used data on aggregations of three copepod species collected between 2003 and 2017 from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to the Scotian Shelf in Canada. Scientists on the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Ecosystem Monitoring Survey collected the data. NOAA Announces Confirmed U.S. Large Whale Entanglement Numbers for 2024 There were 95 confirmed large whale entanglement cases nationally in 2024—an increase from 2023 and above the average annual number of confirmed entanglements over the previous 17 years. NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program and our partners in the Large Whale Entanglement Response Network track and document as many entanglement incidents as possible to gain valuable information that may reduce future entanglement threats. Pacific Islands NOAA Fisheries Partners with Smithsonian to Archive Marine Specimens for Genetic Research The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center recently archived more than 700 fish and squid specimens at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Science Center researchers collected the specimens during research surveys. This collaborative effort will support genetic research efforts for generations and help scientists better understand and sustainably manage marine species in the Pacific. Southeast Supporting Fisheries Research and Restoration in Georgia’s Largest Watershed NOAA and partners at state and federal resource agencies are working to restore fish passage and spawning habitats in Georgia’s Altamaha River basin. Studies are guiding plans to address dams, reconnect tributaries, and improve ecological health—key steps to supporting healthy habitats for migratory species like sturgeon, blueback herring, and American eel. Meet Holy Ground Oysters, Oyster Farmers in Mississippi Thomas and Sean Piecuch’s Holy Ground Oyster Co. is a father-son oyster farm in coastal Mississippi that blends family, science, and sustainability.Their farm, in the nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf, aims to scale responsibly, build local job opportunities, and bring fresh oysters from tide to table while restoring coastal health. West Coast Photo Story: Training Future Seafood Farmers This summer, NOAA and Washington Sea Grant introduced 50 Seattle-area middle schoolers to seafood farming career paths through the first-ever Aquaculture Science Camp. Over 3 days, the workshop participants studied seaweed and shellfish biology, monitored water quality, and even designed their own aquaculture business plans. Students left with a stronger appreciation for U.S. farmed seafood and hands-on experiences to shape their futures. New Test Measures Toxin from Tires in Marine Life, Helping Understand Risk to Marine Species and Ecosystems Scientists at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center helped create a new method to detect a chemical found in car tires—6PPD-quinone—directly in finfish, shellfish, and marine mammals. This advancement helps track how the toxin accumulates in marine food webs, improves risk assessment, and informs measures to reduce stormwater runoff. Upcoming Deadlines September 25: Applications due for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s solicitation to Produce an MSA 50th Anniversary Film for the Western Pacific Region October 1: Abstracts due for the 2026 Northeast Aquaculture Conference & Exposition and the Milford Aquaculture Seminar October 1: Applications due for U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program October 3: Abstracts due for the 2026 Mariculture Conference of Alaska October 5: Proposals due for Developing and Conducting Stakeholder Engagement Plans for Fishery Ecosystem Efforts in the Gulf October 14: Public Comment Period Closes for Recommendations for Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness View more news and announcements Upcoming Events September 15–19: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in North Charleston, SC September 17–24: Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Spokane, WA September 20: Milford Lab Open House in Milford, CT September 22–23: The Northeast Region Coordinating Council’s State-Federal Commercial Landings Sampling Workshop (virtual) September 23–25: New England Fishery Management Council meeting in Gloucester, MA  September 25: Listening Session for Public Comment Period for Recommendations for Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness September 26: 2025 U.S. Pre-Transboundary Management Guidance Committee Meeting September 29–October 9: North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting, held virtually October 1: Listening Session for Public Comment Period for Recommendations for Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness October 1: Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop in Kitty Hawk, NC October 7–9: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting in Philadelphia, PA October 16: Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop in Largo, FL November 14: Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop in Warwick, RI November 19: Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop in Kenner, LA January 12–16: The 2026 Marine Resource Education Greater Atlantic Workshop in Falmouth, MA 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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