News Updates for The Week of August 26, 2020
Shark Research in Maine, Aquaculture Opportunity Areas, and 122 Female Statues.
Upcoming
Meetings

September 1: Tautog Management Board Webinar

September 14-18:
SAFMC Webinar

September 29-October 1: NEFMC (In person meeting TBD)

October 6-8: MAFMC (In person meeting TBD)

October 19-22: ASMFC Annual Meeting Webinar
Public Comment

September 8: NOAA is seeking comments on Amendment 11 to the FMP for the South Atlantic Region Shrimp Fishery, which if implemented, would modify transit provisions for shrimp vessels during cold weather closures. (Find more here).
ME DMR: New Partnership with MA DMF and Atlantic White Shark Conservancy on Research

ME DMR will join the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and the MA DMF in a research effort that will provide information about the presence of great white sharks in Maine's inshore waters.The project will involve the placement of 20 passive acoustic receivers by Maine DMR science bureau staff in near-shore Maine waters that will capture data from tags placed on great white sharks in research conducted by DMF since 2010. Currently there are approximately 210 great white sharks that have been tagged in the on-going research work.

The work will be supported by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC), a non-profit that works to advance white shark research, education and public safety. AWSC will fund the purchase of twelve receivers that will be added to others supplied by DMF and DMR.

Find more information here.

ME DMR: Buoy Maine - a Pitch Competition to Support Innovation in Maine's Working Waterfront and Coastal Communities

Maine Sea Grant has announced a competition to generate great ideas in support of Maine's working waterfront and coastal communities. Awards are available of up to $15,000!

Buoy Maine will focus on strengthening coastal/marine seafood and tourism related industries, highlighting the Maine Brand and experience, building resiliency, and helping Maine's coastal businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Partnerships are encouraged. Any business or non-profit connected to the Maine seafood or tourism industries or the heritage of its fishing communities are eligible to apply.

Find more information here.
DNREC: Compost Bins and Rain Barrels Offered at Discount Prices

Delaware residents may preorder environmentally beneficial compost bins and rain barrels at discount prices during an online sale sponsored by DNREC. Made available by DNREC’s Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, in conjunction with the Division of Watershed Stewardship, advance purchases must be made for both items via http://de.gov/recycling

The "FreeGarden Earth" compost bins, offered through DNREC for $50 each, are made from recycled materials, and require no assembly. Compost bins have features that enhance the decomposition process and help make composting more efficient. These compact units transform food scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that replaces traditional fertilizers to produce healthier plants and vegetables in home gardens.

Find more information here.
NYSDEC: Boat Responsibly - Clean. Drain. Dry. Every Time!

You can help Protect Your Waters! One of the most effective ways we can all help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species is by following proper procedures for cleaning, draining, and drying watercraft and equipment every time you leave the water. 

New York’s boat stewards are here to help. You’ll find them staffing launches and boat washing stations across the state. If you’re near a boat washing station, they offer a convenient way to make sure your watercraft is free of invasive species. Find out more by watching our new video.

Aquatic invasive species can prevent us from enjoying our lakes and rivers and can even harm native fish populations. This summer and always, help us make sure they don’t stand a chance in New York. Can we count on you to Clean. Drain. Dry. every time? Learn more about aquatic invasive species and what else you can do to help prevent their spread on our website.
MD DNR: 2020-2021 Commercial Fishing License Renewal Extended

Recognizing there have been unforeseen circumstances due to the pandemic, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is extending the deadline for certain 2020 -2021 Maryland commercial fishing license holders to renew their licenses and authorizations to Sept. 30, 2020.

Find more information here.
MD DNR: 2020 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest

The 17th Annual Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest runs now through Aug. 31, 2020. All winners will be featured in the department’s 2021 wall calendar and published in the fall 2020 edition of the magazine. All entries must be submitted online. No hard copies of photographs will be accepted. Enter now for your chance to win cash, state parks passports, magazine subscriptions, and other terrific prizes!

Winners will be notified in September before the announcement is made on our website newsroom and social media outlets.

Find more information here.
NC DEQ: Marine Fisheries Commission looks at curbing user conflicts associated with shellfish leases

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission took steps toward addressing user conflicts associated with shellfish leases at its meeting Thursday. The commission voted to start the rulemaking process for proposed shellfish lease rules that will:

  • Increase setback requirements from developed shorelines for new shellfish leases;
  • Limit the allowable number of corner markers for demarcating shellfish leases to simplify the polygon shapes;
  • Set new criteria for shellfish lease stakes and signage to alleviate navigation concerns; and,
  • Initiate a new shellfish leaseholder training program that emphasizes user conflict reduction strategies.

Public hearings for the proposed rules will be announced later.

Find more information here.
NOAA Fisheries: Longline Survey Focuses on Improvements

For the past 6 years, the 50-foot F/V Mary Elizabeth out of Scituate, Massachusetts and the 40-foot F/V Tenacious II out of East Dennis have set out on a 3-week, 45-station longline research survey. They target areas in the Gulf of Maine where the fish like to hide and the ocean bottom is rougher, making it hard to sample with trawl gear.

This year a new generation of data collection system is ready to be tested, and under the realities of COVID-19, the plan is to focus on docksite testing with a small number of people and limited physical contact. On a few day trips, researchers and crew can test the new setup on each vessel, identify and address bugs, and document new protocols.

Find more information here.
NOAA Fisheries: Regions for First Two Aquaculture Opportunity Areas under Executive Order on Seafood Announced

NOAA Fisheries recently announced the selection of federal waters off southern California and in the Gulf of Mexico as the areas of focused evaluation for the first two of ten Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in the United States. Establishing these Aquaculture Opportunity Areas are part of NOAA’s responsibility under the May 2020 Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth. These two regions were selected based on the already available spatial analysis data and current industry interest in developing sustainable aquaculture operations in the region. NOAA envisions each AOA as a small defined geographic area that has been evaluated to determine its potential suitability for commercial aquaculture. While the regions for the first two AOAs have been selected, the exact locations and configuration will be shaped by a combination of spatial analysis and public input.

Find more information here.
What We're Reading
#IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit is a new 3D-printed display of 122 female statues - the most women statues ever assembled in one location, at one time. Located at the Central Park Zoo in New York City, the exhibit will feature many contemporary women of all ages and backgrounds who currently work in a variety of STEM careers (Wildlife Conservation Society).


The Monterey Bay aquarium is one of many facilities that offers live aquarium webcams for people to experience exhibits virtually. Many of these facilities have reported a recent jump in online traffic to their webcams during the coronavirus pandemic (The Guardian).


How to Stop Worrying and Love Farmed Fish: on aquaculture’s image problem and the people who want you to embrace the fish of the future. (Hakai Magazine).

John Pearse was a leading authority on marine invertebrates and intertidal ecology, as well as a beloved teacher and mentor to many generations of marine biologists. He is remembered by UC Santa Cruz for his contributions to the field (UC Santa Cruz).
Partner Agencies
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