Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Management Plan

Deep Sea Corals

In June 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and NOAA Fisheries released the final management plan and environmental assessment for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

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.

Related Information

Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary Public Input Sought

U.S. Continental Shelf Outer Limits Extended

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

South Fork Offshore Wind Project

U.S. offshore wind turbines - credit: BOEM

In February 2022, a groundbreaking ceremony celebrated progress of the South Fork wind energy project. South Fork is the second commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project approved for federal waters in the United States.

The South Fork project will be located offshore Rhode Island and New York and have a capacity of 130 megawatts of wind energy.

In November 2021, the Department of the Interior announced the approval of the construction and operation of the South Fork wind project.

The South Fork project is expected to directly support approximately 165 jobs over the two-year construction period and approximately 10 long-term jobs during the operations and maintenance period. The project will also support jobs in the supply chain and service industries.

South Fork Wind Project Highlights:

On January 4, 2021, BOEM released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the South Fork Wind Farm and South Fork Export Cable Project. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the South Fork Wind Farm and South Fork Export Cable Project was published on August 16, 2021.

On January 18, 2022, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved the Construction and Operations Plan for the South Fork Wind Farm and South Fork Export Cable Project.

South Fork's offshore wind turbines will be located offshore Rhode Island and New York and have a capacity of 130 megawatts of wind energy.

Offshore Wind Power Facts

In 2022, the U.S. Federal government set a national offshore wind energy goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030.

BOEM expects to complete the review of at least 16 plans to construct and operate commercial offshore wind energy facilities by 2025.

BOEM expects to hold lease sales in the New York Bight and offshore the Carolinas and California in 2022.

The U.S. Federal government is actively working with states, Tribes, ocean users, and key stakeholders to explore wind potential in the Gulf of Maine and in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as offshore Oregon and Hawaii.

In 2020, the U.S. offshore wind energy project development and operational pipeline grew to a potential generating capacity of 35,324 megawatts (MW). Capacity increased by 24% 2020, up from 28,521 MW in 2019

As of 2022, two U.S. offshore wind energy projects are in operation: the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) and the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) pilot project (12 MW).

In the New England Region, Vineyard Wind 1 is fully approved, has received all permits, an offtake contract to sell the power, and an interconnection agreement to deliver it to the grid.

The U.S. offshore wind industry has the potential to generate more than $100 billion in revenue to businesses in the supply chain over the next decade.

The United States Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) provides the locations of land-based and offshore wind turbines in the United States, corresponding wind project information, and turbine technical specifications. 

Offshore wind power turbine platforms provide habitat for fish and marine life.

Rotating wind turbines are known to pose a hazard to birds. Proposals have included locating marine wind power components along important bird migration routes.

Offshore wind power infrastructure can conflict with existing marine activity. Commercial fishermen and other mariners complain that wind power facilities can block or restrict access to prime fishing areas.

NOAA Arctic Surveys 2019 (Preliminary Findings)

NOAA Fisheries recently released preliminary findings from its 2019 surveys in the Arctic.

The surveys include:

• Ice Seal and Polar Bear Aerial Survey Test
• Groundfish, Crab, Bottom-Dwelling Species Survey in Southeastern Bering Sea
• Arctic Larval Fish and Plankton Community Survey
• Aerial Survey of Bowhead Abundance
• Groundfish, Crab, Bottom-Dwelling Species Survey in Northern Bering Sea
• Arctic Ecosystem Assessment
• Aerial Survey of Arctic Marine Mammals
• Surface/Mid-water Column Community Survey
• Ecosystem Surveys in Bering Sea
• Passive Acoustic Whale Monitoring

The entire Alaska Fisheries Science Center Surveys in the Arctic: 2019 Preliminary Findings report is available here:

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/science-data/alaska-fisheries-science-center-surveys-arctic-2019-preliminary-findings

source: Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Canada Marine Protected Areas Update

In 2019, Canada announced that the nation had surpassed its marine conservation target of 10 percent protection of marine and coastal areas.

The progress is the result of collaborative efforts with indigenous peoples, all levels of government, marine industries, and stakeholders.

To date, Canada has established 14 MPAs under the Oceans Act, three National Marine Conservation Areas, one marine National Wildlife Area, and 59 marine refuges. These areas protect 13.81% of Canada’s marine and coastal areas.

Projects include:


2019

• Establishment of the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area (MPA). This MPA contributes 5.55 percent towards Canada’s marine conservation targets and encompasses an area of 319 411 km2.
• Amendments to the Oceans Act enabling the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to designate interim MPAs to provide protection to vulnerable areas while further scientific research and consultation take place.
• Adoption of new protection standards for federal MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures to better conserve sensitive and important parts of oceans.
• Establishment of 2 Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas.
• Banc-des-Américains MPA.
• Laurentian Channel MPA.
• Announcement of 8 new marine refuges in Howe Sound, between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island.

2018

• Establishment of Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area off Vancouver Island.
• Announcement of the Canada-Quebec Collaborative Agreement to Establish a Network of Marine Protected Areas in Quebec.

2017

• Announcement of 51 marine refuges; representing approximately 275,000 km2 and 4.78% of conserved marine territory.
• Establishment of 2 Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas
• Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reef MPA
• St. Anns Bank MPA
• Announcement of the final boundary for the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area in the High Arctic.

2016

• Establishment of Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area in the Beaufort Sea, Northwest Territories.

Future Projects

The Government of Canada remains committed to carrying out the work set out under the five-point plan, including the protection of large offshore areas such as the Offshore Pacific Area of Interest, identified in May 2017, west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

source: Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans


Related Information

New Canada Marine Refuges (Nunavut - Newfoundland and Labrador)

Canada Inuit Nunangat Arctic Region

Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Marine, Fisheries, and Science Acronyms

This post lists popular acronyms that are related to oceans, estuaries, marine life, commercial and recreational fisheries, biology, government regulations, and other subjects.

Science - Research

ESA - Endangered Species Act
GMRI - Gulf of Maine Research Institute
MMSN - Marine Mammal Stranding Network
NRDA - Natural Resource Damage Assessment
ONC - Ocean Networks Canada
UME - Unusual Mortality Event

Fishing - Fisheries - Seafood

IFR - integrated fisheries reporting AOTTP - Atlantic Ocean Tropical Tuna Tagging Program
ACCSP - Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program
APAIS - Access Point Angler Intercept Survey
AFS - American Fisheries Society
BAYS - Atlantic bigeye, northern albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack tunas
FIS - Fisheries Information System
GLFC - Great Lakes Fishery Commission
HMS - Highly migratory species
IFQ - Individual Fishery Quota
ICCAT - International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
IATTC - Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission
IPHC - International Pacific Halibut Commission
IUU (fishing) - illegal, unregulated, and unreported
MRIP - Marine Recreational Information Program
NEAFC - North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission
NAFO - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization
PAFC - North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission
RFMO - Regional Fisheries Management Organisation
SAFIS - Standard Atlantic Fisheries Information System
WCPFC - Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
WPacFIN - Western Pacific Fisheries Information Network

U.S Regional Fishing Councils

ASMFC - Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
NEFMC - New England Fisheries Management Council
MAFMC - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
SAFMC - South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
CFMC - Caribbean Fishery Management Council
GMFMC - Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
NPFMC - North Pacific Fishery Management Council
PFMC - Pacific Fishery Management Council
WPFMC - Western Pacific Fishery Management Council

Organizations (other)

AMCC - Alaska Marine Conservation Council
IWC - International Whaling Commission
SWIFT - Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow

Government Agencies

DFO - Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada)
BOF -  Board of Fisheries (Alaska USA)
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS - National Marine Fisheries Service
NPFMC - North Pacific Fishery Management Council
USCG - United States Coast Guard
USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Laws and Regulations

MSA - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (USA)

Related Information

Commercial Fishing Associations - Organizations (USA)

International Associations - Organizations

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)

In January, 2019, Canada announced it will provide $12.6 million in funding over four years to Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), a national network of ocean observation systems based at the University of Victoria.

The investment will strengthen high-quality, real-time data on the marine environment to support the work of scientists throughout Canada and around the world, According to Canadian officials.

In particular, this investment will build on ONC’s ocean noise monitoring program and will expand its monitoring of sea surface currents in Pacific waters.

killer whales | photo credit NOAA photo library

The data will augment Canada's efforts to protect the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale while improving navigation and emergency response.

Southern resident killer whales (SRKW) represent the smallest of four resident communities within the Northeastern portion of North America Pacific Ocean.

In Canada the SRKW are listed as endangered on Species at Risk Act Schedule 1. In the USA, SRKW is the only killer whale population listed under the Endangered Species Act by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

A Government of Canada’s $3.5 million contribution from its Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund was highlighted by the official opening of the University of Victoria’s recently opened Ocean-Climate Building.

The new $9.5 million facility also includes investments of $5.15 million from the University of Victoria and $850,000 from the Province of British Columbia.

The nearly 30,000-square-foot building provides an interdisciplinary, collaborative space for the University of Victoria’s ocean, climate change, and data management research programs.

The new facility is occupied by more than 200 researchers, co-op students, scientists, and staff, who will conduct research into the effects of changing oceans and climate.

The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund provides funding to help modernize facilities at Canadian universities and colleges, as well as improve their energy efficiency and reduce their impact on the environment.

source: Government of Canada

Deep Sea Coral Report to Congress 2018

In December 2018, NOAA Fisheries released the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress.

The report highlights the discoveries of never-before-seen deep-sea coral habitats and new species found during the past two years (fiscal years 2016 and 2017).

It also describes research activities funded by the Program to meet NOAA’s mandate to identify, study, and monitor deep-sea coral areas.

Mid Atlantic Coral | photo credit: NOAA

The deep sea is the largest habitat on Earth, and the least well known. Deep-sea coral habitats occur in every U.S. region, providing important ecological and fisheries benefits.

NOAA’s Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program was established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA §408), to identify, locate, and map deep-sea coral habitat in consultation with U.S. regional fishery management councils.

The MSA requires a biennial report to Congress summarizing the steps taken by NOAA to identify, monitor, and protect deep-sea coral areas, including the Program’s research activities and results.

The Program engages with the nation’s eight regional fishery management councils and collaborates on research with other federal agencies, international partners, and nongovernmental and academic scientists.

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program collaborates with other NOAA programs and offices, such as National Marine Sanctuaries, Ocean Exploration and Research, Fisheries science centers and regional offices, the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, and the National Centers for Environmental Information.

For more information, visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/announcing-deep-sea-coral-research-and-technology-program-2018-report-congress.

source: NOAA Fisheries

2016 Ocean Literacy Summit

Registration is now open for the 2016 Ocean Literacy Summit. Join scientists, informal and formal educators, students, and others at the Ocean Literacy Summit.

This year's Ocean Literacy Summit will take place November 3rd and 4th in Portland, Maine.

The 2016 Ocean Literacy Summit will focus on Ocean Literacy principle #3; The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.

Events will include:

• a climate change workshop led by the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI);
• a keynote address by Dr. Andy Pershing, Chief Scientific Officer at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI);
• talks by scientists and educators, in a redesigned format that will enable participants to hear all presentations;
• an interactive Science an Education Fair to highlight hands-on activities and interpretive ideas on teaching ocean literacy;
• a panel on effective messaging, creative tools, tips and marketing;
• and numerous networking opportunities.

The New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative (NEOSEC) is a diverse networked collaboration of more than forty institutions from across New England, including aquariums, museums, universities, government entities and science and research centers.

NEOSEC’s mission and collective purpose are to leverage New England’s extraordinary assets, to engage the public in understanding the vital connections between people and the ocean.

For more information, visit: www.neosec.org

source: New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative

When Is World Oceans Day?

World Ocean Day (formerly World Oceans Day) is celebrated each year on June 8, as officially declared by the United Nations.

Canada proposed the concept of World Ocean Day in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the day has been celebrated internationally ever since.

Each year, civil society, science centers, research institutions, NGOs, businesses, communities, and governments celebrate World Oceans Day round the world with local and global events.

*2021 UPDATE*

In 2021, worldoceanday.org urged the world to drop the "s" from World Ocean Day

"To strongly emphasize our connectedness on this blue planet, we are officially dropping the ‘S’ from World Ocean(s) Day."

Oceans Facts

The World's oceans produce at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen.

Oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming.

Approximately 40 million people are expected to be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.

Related Information

worldoceanday.org

World Oceans Day - UN

2013 Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium

Sea Ice covering the Arctic Ocean melted away to a record low in 2012, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Alaska Sea Grant will convene Responses of Arctic Marine Ecosystems to Climate Change, the 28th Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium, in Anchorage, Alaska, March 26–29, 2013.

The event will bring scientists from around the world to share their research on how arctic marine ecosystems are responding to climate change.

Symposium topics will include:
* Observed and anticipated environmental changes in the Arctic.

* Lower trophic level productivity of arctic waters in a changing climate.

* Marine fish resources of the Arctic in a changing climate.

* Observed and anticipated responses of arctic birds and marine mammals to environmental changes in the Arctic.

* Effects of changing arctic marine ecosystems on humans.

* Understanding and managing arctic marine ecosystems in a time of change.

A complete description and agenda of the symposium can be found online at www.alaskaseagrant.org

The symposium is organized by Alaska Sea Grant, guided by steering committee members from NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Pew Environment Group, U.S. Arctic Research Commission, Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, North Pacific Fishery Management Council, North Pacific Research Board, and the Institute of Marine Research in Norway.

source: Alaska Sea Grant