Asian Tiger Shrimp Found in Gulf of Mexico - South Atlantic

Fishermen and other mariners are reporting higher numbers of non-native Asian tiger shrimp occuring off the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. In response to the phenomenon, NOAA recently announced that scientists have begun studying causes of the increase as well as possible consequences for native fish and seafood in both areas.

Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are working with state agencies from North Carolina to Texas to look into how this transplanted species from Indo-Pacific, Asian and Australian waters reached U.S. waters, and what the increase in sightings means for native species.

According to USGS officials, reports of Asian tiger shrimp increased tenfold in 2011. The cause of the rapid increase in tiger shrimp populations remains uncertain. NOAA scientists are launching a research effort to understand more about the biology of these shrimp and how they may affect the ecology of native fisheries and coastal ecosystems.

Anyone who sees one or more shrimp suspected to be an Asian tiger shrimp is asked to note the location and report the sighting to the USGS NAS database at http://nas.er.usgs.gov/SightingReport.aspx

source: NOAA FishNews

Delaware Bay Atlantic Sturgeon Research

Recently, biologists from New Jersey's DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife deployed acoustic receivers in the Delaware Bay to track migration patterns of Atlantic sturgeon. Most of the 7 receivers were set in areas that are less than 20 feet deep. Anglers fishing in inshore waters may encounter the white buoys marked "NJDEP Research".

As part of a multi-state collaborative effort, the Division has partnered with several states to develop a multi-year effort directed at providing state, federal, and regional management authorities with information necessary to successfully conserve and restore Atlantic sturgeon populations. Mid Atlantic populations of the species were among several regional populations that recently received listings as endangered or threatened.

As part of a coastwide project, NJDEP will purchase, assemble, deploy and maintain 18 receivers in the Delaware Bay. Data will be downloaded monthly from each receiver to detect movement of Atlantic sturgeon tagged with acoustic telemetry tags. The new receivers will complement the existing receiver array within Delaware Bay, specifically on the NJ side, to ensure complete coverage of the sampling area. The additional coverage will allow for greater detection of Atlantic sturgeon and provide the ability to monitor immigration and emigration from the Delaware Bay. An additional 11 receivers are expected to be deployed during 2012.

For exact receiver coordinates or for more information about the project contact Heather Corbett at 609-748-2020.

source: NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife

Fishing for Energy Fund

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with Covanta Energy Corporation and the NOAA Marine Debris Program, recently announced the availability of grant funding to provide capacity and incentives to address old, abandoned or derelict fishing gear.

The Fishing for Energy Small Grants Fund will entertain a wide variety of proposal topics for the prevention and removal of unwanted derelict fishing gear from the marine environment.

Priorities for funding for the 2012 call include:
• At sea derelict fishing gear removal;
• Gear density assessment; and/or,
• Economic and resource impact assessment.

The Fishing for Energy partners have roughly $500,000 in funds available for projects in 2012 and anticipate awarding approximately five projects. Proposals requesting less than $10,000 or over $250,000 will not be considered.

Most awarded projects will complete activities within 1-2 years. Projects submitted for funding must directly engage the fishing community in project activities. Priority will be given to: projects that work directly through an existing Fishing for Energy location.

Interested applicants should submit a pre-proposal using National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's online Easygrants system. Pre-proposals must be submitted and received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 1, 2012.

source: NOAA FishNews

2012 International Whaling Commission Annual Meeting

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) 64th annual meeting will be held from July 2-6, 2012, at the El Panama Hotel in Panama City, Panama. As part of the process, NOAA recently issued a call for nominees for the U.S. Delegation to the meeting.

The non-federal representative(s) selected as a result of this nomination process is(are) responsible for providing input and recommendations to the U.S. IWC Commissioner representing the positions of non-governmental organizations. Generally, only one non-governmental position is selected for the U.S. Delegation.

source: NOAA FishNews

Review of Right Whales For Endangered Species Listing

NOAA Fisheries recently announced that a 5-year review of North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) and North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) under the Endangered Species Act is under way.

A 5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, NOAA Fisheries is requesting submission of any such information on these whales that has become available since the last status review in 2006. To allow adequate time to conduct this review, information must be received no later than April 20, 2012.

For more information, visit:

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/03/27/2012-7075/magnuson-stevens-fishery-conservation-and-management-act-provisions-fisheries-of-the-northeastern

source: NOAA FishNews

Gulf of Mexico Dolphin Illnesses

Bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, are showing signs of severe ill health, according to NOAA marine mammal biologists and their local, state, federal and other research partners. Barataria Bay, located in the northern Gulf of Mexico, received heavy and prolonged exposure to oil during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Based on comprehensive physicals of 32 live dolphins from Barataria Bay in the summer of 2011, preliminary results show that many of the dolphins in the study are underweight, anemic, have low blood sugar and/or some symptoms of liver and lung disease. Nearly half also have abnormally low levels of the hormones that help with stress response, metabolism and immune function. Researchers fear that some of the study dolphins are in such poor health that they will not survive.

NOAA and its local, state and federal partners started the Barataria Bay dolphin study in 2011 as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), the process for studying the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. NOAA is sharing the preliminary results from the study so that stranding responders and veterinarians can better care for live stranded dolphins and look for similar health conditions.

source: NOAA FishNews

NOAA Teacher at Sea Program

This spring, 25 teachers from across the country will set out to sea to work and live alongside NOAA scientists through the NOAA Teacher At Sea program. In its 22nd year, the Teacher at Sea program has provided more than 600 teachers hands-on marine research experiences varying from fish surveys in Alaska to tidal research in the Indian Ocean.

Returning teachers bring their greater understanding and excitement back to the classroom, giving their students a glimpse into a scientific world that is otherwise inaccessible. Teachers will be publishing blogs at http://teacheratsea.wordpress.com/

source: NOAA FishNews