May 12, 2024 — There is a popular quotation among fisheries scientists by John Shepherd: “Counting fish is just like counting trees, except they’re invisible and they keep moving around.” It’s a great analogy, and a good illustration of why surveys are valuable for fisheries management. When scientists fish areas in a standardized way over many years, it gives us a way to keep a relative count of fish stocks over time, despite all the moving these “invisible” fish may do. When it comes to managing long-lived species like sharks, repeated surveying over the years can also be an opportunity to see repeat customers!
OREGON: $7 million available in salmon fishery disaster funds
May 10, 2024 — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has announced that $7,050,722 is available to Oregon to address poor performance of the state’s ocean commercial salmon fisheries for 2018, 2019, and 2020.
This includes impacts to commercial fishermen, processors, and the fishing ecosystem and environment.
The “Oregon Spend Plan,” vetted through NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), is now available for public review and comment. The plan is posted on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website. Input should be sent to orsalmon.disaster@odfw.oregon.gov by May 13
NOAA Fisheries progressing on draft of aquaculture economic development plan, garnering industry backing
May 10, 2024 — Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), a group representing the U.S. aquaculture industry, has put its support behind NOAA Fisheries’ aquaculture economic development plan, which is part of NOAA’s efforts to update its National Aquaculture Development Plan for the first time in more than 40 years.
The economic development plan stands as the third pillar of the National Aquaculture Development Plan and includes three strategic plans. The other two pillars – the Strategic Plan to Enhance Regulatory Efficiency in Aquaculture and the National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Research – were completed in 2022.
Fishermen help to reel in marine debris
May 8, 2024 — NOAA Fisheries Marine Debris Program shared a recent article on fishermen stepping up and reeling in marine debris. Balloons are known to be some of the most devastating pollutants to wildlife, and according to a CSIRO study, balloons are one of the top three most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife.
A small group of fishermen is leading in this battle against balloon debris. NOAA has recognized their efforts and is now calling upon the public to join in. Each balloon collected is a step towards a cleaner, safer environment. The article reminds us that the act of releasing balloons, whether intentional or not, has severe consequences. No matter how far they travel, these balloons inevitably pollute our oceans, Great Lakes, or other waterways. It’s a collective responsibility, and every individual’s contribution counts.
Scoping it Out: A First-of-its-Kind Survey for False Killer Whales
May 8, 2024 — Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center scientists are spending a month at sea (April 23–May 22) aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette on the Survey for Continued Observation of Pseudorca Extent (SCOPE). They’re searching for pelagic false killer whales in an area they have not surveyed before and using specialized methods to collect biological data from as many false killer whales as possible.
They will use the same methods to look and listen for whales and dolphins on this mission that they have used for many years on other surveys.
During SCOPE, they have increased capacity to:
- Locate false killer whales
- Take photo-identification images
- Collect biopsy samples
- Deploy satellite tags when this species is found
These key types of data are limited for pelagic false killer whales—including the Hawaiʻi pelagic population that has a new management area to address bycatch in the Hawaiʻi deep-set longline fishery.
NOAA: Overfishing in US hit all-time low in 2023
May 6, 2024 — The number of fish stocks on the U.S. overfishing list decreased by three last year, falling to an all-time low of 21, NOAA said Thursday.
In its annual “Status of the Stocks” report to Congress, the agency also said that 50 fish stocks have now been fully rebuilt since 2000.
In what NOAA described as “a major milestone,” the iconic Snohomish coho salmon became the latest stock to join the rebuilt list last year. The agency said there are more than 20 different stocks of the coho salmon on the West Coast and in Alaska.
Status of the stocks: Record-low number of stocks on overfishing list in 2023
May 2, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
In a report released today, NOAA Fisheries announced that 2023 saw a record low for the number of fish stocks subject to overfishing. The annual Status of the Stocks report is an assessment of the 506 stocks and stock complexes managed by NOAA Fisheries, and provides a look at the overall health of fisheries in the U.S. Maintaining sustainable fisheries contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, provides important recreational opportunities and helps meet the growing challenge of increasing our nation’s seafood supply.
In 2023, U.S. fisheries data revealed that 94% of stocks are not subject to overfishing and 82% are not overfished. These numbers show slight improvements compared to the 2022 figures of 93% and 81%, respectively. Ongoing positive trends continued with the number of stocks on the overfishing list decreasing by three stocks, reaching an all-time low of 21 stocks, and the number of stocks on the overfished list decreasing by one stock, to 47. Since 2000, NOAA Fisheries has rebuilt 50 stocks.
“By ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks, we are strengthening the value of U.S. fisheries to the economy, our communities and marine ecosystems,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “Sustainably managed fisheries are important to the nation’s economy, and provide opportunities for commercial, recreational and subsistence fishing, while keeping a renewable supply of seafood for consumers.”
NOAA Fisheries recently released the Fisheries Economics of the United States report for 2022. The latest data shows U.S. commercial and recreational fishing supported 2.3 million jobs and generated $321 billion in sales across the broader economy in 2022. The U.S. commercial fishing and seafood industry, as well as recreational fishing, continue to have a broad, positive impact on the economy.
“Managing fisheries sustainably is an adaptive process that relies on sound science, innovative management approaches, effective enforcement and meaningful partnerships with robust public participation,” said NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit. “We continually adjust management measures in response to complex challenges including climate change, rebuilding stocks, ending overfishing and developing new forecasting tools to better predict ocean conditions.”
To keep U.S. fisheries operating sustainably, NOAA Fisheries partners with the U.S. Regional Fishery Management Councils and Interstate Fisheries Commissions, for dynamic, science-based management processes that are proving successful at ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks.
Since 1996, NOAA Fisheries has reported on the status of U.S. fisheries, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Reporting on the status of fish stocks provides fisheries managers and the public with an account of how well current fisheries management measures are working.
NOAA issues final ruling on Cook Inlet federal fishing waters
May 2, 2024 — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a final ruling on a disputed commercial salmon fishing area in Cook Inlet.
The Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone, or EEZ, starts three miles off shore and is where drift gillnet fishermen catch the majority of fish. In 2020, commercial fishermen sued over management of the fishery. Courts and fishermen went back and forth, and a year ago, the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council was tasked with choosing a new management plan. In an unprecedented move, the council took no action, which turned the decision over to NOAA Fisheries.
NOAA Fisheries issues the final rule that implements Federal management of the salmon fishery in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area
April 29, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries is announcing the publication of the final rule that implements Federal management of commercial and recreational salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Area. All requirements under this final rule are effective 30 days after publication. More information is available on the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region website.
Federal management results in new requirements for commercial drift gillnet vessels fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area. Commercial fishing vessels must obtain a Federal permit, maintain a fishing logbook, have a vessel monitoring system (VMS) installed on their vessels, and comply with all other Federal regulations laid out in the final rule.
Additionally, processors and buyers receiving deliveries of salmon commercially caught in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area must obtain a Federal permit, report deliveries using the eLandings system, and comply with all other Federal regulations laid out in the final rule.
Recreational anglers and charter operators fishing for salmon in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area must check regulations established for Federal waters to ensure they are in compliance with bag and possession limits.
To assist stakeholders in complying with these new regulations, NOAA Fisheries will hold two in person public meetings and one webinar at the following times and locations.
- May 15, 2024: Kenai, Alaska – 5:30 to 7:30pm
- Quality Inn – Conference room
- 10352 Kenai Spur Highway
- May 16, 2024: Homer, Alaska – 5:30 to 7:30pm
- Best Western Bidarka Inn – Upstairs conference room
- 575 Sterling Highway
- May 22, 2024: Online Webinar – 10:00am to 12:00pm
- Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qbp-wpqo-mkw
- Dial in: (US) +1 929-324-9506 PIN: 148 365 993#
NOAA Fisheries developed this action to address a Ninth Circuit court ruling requiring Federal management of salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area in accordance with the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and a District Court ruling requiring publication of a final rule for the management of the Cook Inlet EEZ Area by May 1, 2024.
NOAA Fisheries developed this action after considering input from affected tribal communities and stakeholders. It adheres to all Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements. NOAA Fisheries made several changes in this final rule as a result of public comment on the proposed rule. Most notably, the number of commercial fishing periods is adjusted to one per week between July 16 and July 31. Because some salmon stocks in Cook Inlet have continued to miss spawning escapement goals with only one commercial fishing period per week from July 16 to July 31, NOAA Fisheries determined that additional fishing periods would likely result in conservation concerns and early fishery closures. The rest of the commercial salmon fishing season in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area remains at two scheduled fishing periods per week.
This action will be effective for the 2024 salmon fishing season in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area which for commercial fishing begins on June 20, 2024 at 7:00am Alaska local time.
Alaska asks judge to toss critical habitat for threatened seals
April 28, 2024 — Alaska’s fight against burdensome seal protections continued Thursday, when attorneys for the state and federal government debated whether the feds properly allocated a vast coastal area under the Endangered Species Act.
In April 2022, the National Marine Fisheries Service — also known as NOAA Fisheries — designated critical habitat off the coast of Alaska for Arctic ringed seals and the Beringia distinct population segment of bearded seals as required by the Endangered Species Act. The move came 10 years after the agency listed both species as “threatened” under the act, as actions to designate critical habitat for the seals were deferred when NOAA’s proposed listings were challenged in court.
NOAA’s legal challenges led to a settlement that allowed the agency to complete a final determination of critical habitat in 2022. But now that NOAA has designated critical habitat — 257,000 square miles for the ringed seal and 273,000 square miles for the bearded seals — Alaska claims too much land was designated and that the species are not even threatened.
“By comparison, the state of Texas contains 268,000 square miles while California contains 163,000 square miles,” Alaska wrote in its 2023 complaint. “All of this critical habitat is occupied by members of the two seal species, which are among the most common marine mammals found in the Arctic region.”
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