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| Atlantic Halibut | Credit: NOAA Fisheries |
The 18th Flatfish Biology Conference will be held on November 13 and 14, 2024, at Water's Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook, Connecticut.
The Flatfish Biology Conference is a forum where a diverse community of national and international scientists, researchers, and students present research findings, and share their knowledge in a supportive and inclusive environment.
For more information, see: 18th Flatfish Biology Conference - 2024 (NOAA)
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| Deep Sea Corals |
The monument was established to protect and conserve unique and pristine habitats, historic objects and features of high scientific interest within its borders.
The plan provides the foundation for long-term collaborative management and community stewardship of the monument, according to NOAA Fisheries.
Under the management plan, USFWS and NOAA Fisheries will work as a monument management team to engage partners, conserve and protect the marine ecosystem, and establish stewardship, research, exploration, engagement and education programs that further understanding and connect people to the unique ecosystem and its inhabitants.
The final plan establishes long-term guidance to achieve monument goals and objectives, which are derived from the Presidential Proclamations, federal mandates and public input.
USFWS and NOAA Fisheries selected the preferred alternative (Alternative 2), which adopts the management plan and a permitting system that leverages the existing permitting programs of the joint management agencies.
The final management plan was prepared with input from public comments received during the 45-day public comment period from September 12 to October 26, 2023, including six public meetings held in-person and virtually.
The final management plan and environmental assessment can be found on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument website.
Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Facts:
On September 15, 2016, President Barack Obama established the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument by Presidential Proclamation 9496 (81 FR 65159), under the authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906.
The Monument is located about 130 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and is approximately the size of Connecticut (4,913 square miles).
The Monument includes the waters and submerged lands within two Units – a Submarine Canyons Unit and a Seamounts Unit.
The Monument protects fragile and largely pristine deep-sea environments. The nutrient-rich monument is considered to be one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
The area includes a landscape of ancient volcanoes and deep canyons that supports deep-sea corals, an abundance of phytoplankton, and an array of seabirds, fish, squid and shrimp.
Marine life in the area provide a vital food source for whales, giant manta rays, leatherback sea turtles, and other marine creatures.
It is the first and only marine national Monument in the Atlantic Ocean.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and NOAA jointly manage the Monument.
A marine national monument is an ocean area designated by a presidential proclamation under the Antiquities.
In December, the U.S. Department of State released the geographic coordinates defining the outer limits of the U.S. continental shelf in areas beyond 200 nautical miles from the coast, known as the extended continental shelf (ECS).
Under international law, the USA and other countries have rights to conserve and manage the resources and vital habitats on and under their ECS.
The U.S. ECS area is approximately one million square kilometers spread across seven regions. The Department of State led the ECS effort through the U.S. ECS Task Force, an interagency body of the U.S. Government composed of 14 agencies.
Determining the ECS outer limits requires data on the depth, shape, and geophysical characteristics of the seabed and subsoil.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) were responsible for collecting and analyzing the necessary data.
Data collection began in 2003 and constitutes the largest offshore mapping effort ever conducted by the United States.
The United States determined its ECS limits in accordance with customary international law and the Scientific and Technical Guidelines of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, according to the Department of State.
The outer limits of the U.S. ECS and additional information are available in the Executive Summary posted on the Department of State website at state.gov/shelf.
source: U.S. Department of State
In 2018 a new standard was developed by the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) for an SOS electronic visual distress signal device (eVDSD).
The RTCM SC13200.0 standard for eVDSDs was determined to be acceptable for use by CG-ENG Policy Letter 03-18, dated December 21,2018.
A wide range of eVDSDs are available to provide basic SOS communications for mariners during nighttime situations.
The U.S. Coast Guard apparently considers eVDSD technology to be a component of a wider safety strategy, stating:
"Any single distress signal should be considered only a part of a vessel’s complete distress system. Other communications, safety, and distress signal equipment should always be used as personal preparedness for a worse case distress situation."
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| Block Island Wind Farm | credit: BOEM |
To address the issue, the U.S.Coast Guard (USCG) has published Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 03-23: Guidance on Navigational Safety In and Around Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI).
The document provides guidance when planning and undertaking voyages in the vicinity of offshore renewable energy installations (OREI) in U.S. waters.
The Coast Guard advises prudent mariners to review and utilize this NVIC to make an informed risk assessment prior to navigating within or in the vicinity of an OREI.
Important Maritime Safety Information (MSI) relating to OREIs is distributed by Local or Broadcast Notices to Mariners (LNM or BNM) promulgated by Coast Guard Districts.
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB) released by the local Captain of the Port (COTP) may be issued to provide supplemental information.
source: USCG Notice to Mariners
