Upcoming

Meetings

November 29: Webinar on designation of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary as a Mid- Atlantic Ocean Conservation Tool

November 29-Dec 1: The NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program 2022 Conference 

November 30: Redefining North Atlantic Right Whale Habitat-Use Patterns under Climate Change Webinar

December 5-9: SAFMC Meeting

December 5-9: Bluefish and Spiny Dogfish 2022 Research Track Peer Review

December 6-8: NEFMC Meeting

December 12-15: MAFMC Meeting

January 10-12: Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) Southeast Fisheries Science Stakeholders Workshop, Falmouth, MA

January 31: NOAA Mid-Atlantic Northeast Cooperative Reach Summit 

January 31- Feb 2: ASMFC 2023 Winter Meeting

February 15: NOAA New England Northeast Cooperative Reach Summit

February 21-23: Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) Southeast Fisheries Science Stakeholders Workshop, Tampa, FL

March 21-23: Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) Southeast Fisheries Science Stakeholders Workshop, Hanover, MD

Jobs

Recreational Angler Interviewer -- Delaware, ACCSP

(Open Until Filled)

MRIP Field Technician -- VMRC 

(Open Until Filled)

Fisheries Observer, Protected Species -- VMRC

(Open Until Filled)

Ecosystem Services Senior Scientist -- Running Tide

(Open Until Filled)

Information and Education Coordinator -- MA DMF

(Open Until Filled)

Natural Resources Planner IV - MD DNR

(Due: November 25)

Statistician -- NOAA (Gloucester, MA)

(Due: November 28)

Coastal Processes Specialist -- NC Sea Grant

(Due: November 30)

Supervisory Research Biologist -- NOAA (Highlands, NJ)

(Due: November 30)

Program Lead for Marine Ecosystem Regeneration -- Ocean Visions (remote)

(Due: December 5)

Marine Resources Management Specialist -- NOAA (Silver Spring, MD)

(Due: December 5)

Assistant Director for Fish and Aquatic Conservation -- USFWS (Washington, DC)

(Due: December 7)

Fishery Management Plan Coordinator -- ASMFC

(Due: December 9)

Biologist Program Manager - LA LDWF

(Due: December 9)

Assistant Professor of Marine Affairs: Fisheries Management and Policy -- University of Rhode Island

(Due: December 15)

Associate Scientist/Lab Manager -- New England Aquarium

(Open Until Filed)

Illegal Fishing and Transparency Fellow -- Oceana (Washington, DC)

(Open Until Filed)

Chief Operating Officer - Florida Oceanographic Society

(Open Until Filled)

Calusa Waterkeeper

(Open Until Filled)

Vice President Biological Programs and Director of Aquarium -- Frost Science

(Open Until Filled)

Policy Analyst/Policy Support Specialist -- Cardinal Point Captains to work in NOAA ONMS

(Open Until Filled)

Director of Ocean Justice (Climate & Plastics) -- Ocean Conservancy

(Open Until Filled)

Director of Restoration Science -- Coral Vita

(Open Until Filled)

Fisheries Gear Research Technician, NOAA

(Open Until Filled)

Various Fisheries Observer Positions, AIS

Various NOAA Positions, Lynker Technologies

Various Ocean and Fisheries Positions, Ocean Associates Inc.

Public Comment

November 25: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the Incidental Take Regulations and related Letter of Authorization for the Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Energy Project offshore of New Jersey. Comments may be submitted through November 25. 

(Find more here)

November 25: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on Atlantic HMS Exempted Fishing and Related Permits in 2023. Comments may be submitted through November 25.

(Find more here)



November 29: Mid-Atlantic Council is seeking public comment on Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Species Separation Requirements

(Find more here)

November 30: GA DNR is seeking public comment on a proposed fishing regulation change relative to use of blueback herring as bait. Comments may be submitted through November 30. 

(Find more here)

November 30: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Comments may be submitted through November 30.

(Find more here)

November 30: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the Proposed 2023 Bluefish Commerical and Recreational Specifications. Comments may be submitted through November 30.

(Find more here)

December 4: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the Draft North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy which seeks to minimize the effects of offshore wind development on right whales and their habitat. Comments may be submitted through December 4. 

(Find more here)

December 18: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Funding Aquaculture Projects. Comments may be submitted through December 18.

(Find more here)

January 3: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the proposed rule for the Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Plan and 2023 Atlantic Mackerel Specifications. Comments may be submitted through

January 3.

(Find more here)

January 13: ASMFC is seeking public comment on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 7 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan. Comments may be submitted through January 13.

(Find more here)

January 27: The White House is seeking public comment on the Draft 5th National Climate Assessment. Comments may be made through January 27.

(Find more here)

ASMFC Wishes You a Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving 

ASMFC: Atlantic Cobia Commercial Fishery Closure from Dec. 16-31, 2022

The Atlanic States Marine Fisheries Commission has announced that

Per Addendum I to Amendment 1 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia, a commercial trigger is used to determine when to close the commercial fishery in order to fully utilize but not exceed the commercial quota. The trigger level is calculated to provide states with 30 days’ notice to close the fishery, and in-season landings reported by non-de minimis states are monitored throughout the season against the trigger level.

As of November 16, 2022, the total reported commercial landings of Atlantic cobia in 2022 from non-de minimis states (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina) meets the commercial trigger level. 

Find more information here.

ASMFC: Seeking Public Comment on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 7 to the Atlantic Striped Bass FMP

ASMFC is seeking public comment on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 7 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan, which considers allowing voluntary transfers of striped bass ocean commercial quota between states that have ocean quota. The Draft Addendum proposes a range of options that would permit voluntary transfers of ocean commercial quota, including options based on stock status and options allowing the Board to set criteria for transfers on a regular basis. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on January 13, 2023.

Find more information here.

NJ DEP: New FAQ for Red Knots and Horseshoe Crabs in Delaware Bay

NJDEP Fish and Wildlife, Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife and US Fish & Wildlife Service have collaboratively developed frequently asked questions regarding the conservation efforts to protect Red Knots and Horseshoe Crabs in the Delaware Bay. 

The Delaware Bay Rufa Red Knot and Horseshoe Crab FAQ (pdf) is a great resource for life history information, management efforts, and explanations of the relationship between these two species. The FAQ also gives information how the Adaptive Resources Management (ARM) Framework is used by managers and the benefits of switching to the newly revised ARM Framework.

Since the time this FAQ was released, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has approved harvest specifications for horseshoe crabs of Delaware Bay-origin for the 2023 season and chosen to do so with the new ARM Framework. Acknowledging public concern about the status of the red knot population in the Delaware Bay, the Board elected to implement a zero female horseshoe crab harvest for the 2023 season as a conservative measure.

Find more information here.

FL FWC: TrophyCatch program to give away 10th new bass boat

Ahoy, anglers! One lucky person will soon take home a brand-new bass boat package during a live, random drawing at the Bobby Lane High School Cup Bass Fishing Tournament in Lake Wales on Dec. 3. Courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program, this will be the 10th boat given away by the program, in celebration of a decade of success.



The boat package is made possible by conservation partnerships with industry leaders: Phoenix Bass Boats donated the Pro 819 vessel, which is powered by a 200 horsepower Mercury Marine motor, supported by MotorMate, guided by Lowrance HDLive electronics and Ghost Trolling Motor, and anchored by Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchor System.

Find more information here.

NC DEQ: State officials award more than $1.7 million to improve public beach and coastal waterfront access

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has awarded more than $1.7 million to nine local governments to improve public access to coastal beaches and waters for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

The Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access program provides matching funds to local governments in the 20 coastal counties. Governments that receive grants must match them by contributing at least 25 percent toward the project’s cost.

Funding for the grant program comes from the North Carolina General Assembly through the state’s Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Access projects may include walkways, dune crossovers, restrooms, parking areas, piers and related projects. Funds also may be used for land acquisition or urban waterfront revitalization. Staff with the state Division of Coastal Management selected the recipients based on criteria set by the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission.

Find more information here.

DE DNREC: Premiering New Nature Film ‘Wetlands of Wonder: The Hidden World of Vernal Pools’

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has partnered with the production company 302 Stories and writer-director Michael Oates to produce and premiere the nature documentary “Wetlands of Wonder: The Hidden World of Vernal Pools.” The 54-minute film features a panoramic voyage into Delmarva Bays called vernal pools, unique wetland ecosystems found in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The film began airing today on DNREC’s YouTube Channel.

Vernal pools – also known as Coastal Plain seasonal ponds – are small, isolated wetlands that usually emerge in shallow depressions in the ground around forests, seasonally-flooded woodlands or floodplains. Though seasonally inundated, these ecosystems seldom hold water year-round, yet provide important habitat for amphibians and invertebrates, particularly for breeding purposes. Vernal pools, like other wetlands, also provide critical benefits to water quality and function for sustaining fauna and flora across the Delmarva Peninsula.

Find more information here.

NC DEQ: Marine Fisheries Commission adopts management to end overfishing and rebuild estuarine striped bass stocks

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission took action this week to end overfishing of estuarine striped bass and rebuild the stocks by adopting the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2.

The Commission adopted the amendment as presented by staff, with the addition of a provision to maintain the gill net prohibition through 2024 to allow for assessment of its performance along with the continuing harvest moratorium.

Amendment 2 was jointly developed by the Division of Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Resources Commission and contains management measures to address sustainable harvest in the Albemarle Sound and Roanoke River management areas and the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers.

The latest stock assessment indicates the Albemarle-Roanoke Striped Bass stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The Division is currently updating that assessment and working with WRC staff to determine if further management measures are necessary for the conservation of the stock.  

Find more information here.

RI DEM: Uniting with REI CO-OP to invite everyone to #OptOutside on Black Friday

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) along with specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op are encouraging individuals and families to opt for a healthier way to spend Black Friday; one that reconnects them with nature by spending time outdoors. Rhode Island's natural and public assets, including 8,200 acres of parkland, 400 miles of hiking and biking trails, 25 parks and nature preserves, and eight saltwater beaches offer healthy, stress-free alternatives to crowded Black Friday shopping. From hiking, biking, fishing, and more, there are many ways to enjoy time outdoors.



As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in Rhode Island, state parks play an important role in supporting public health, attracting tourism, providing affordable staycation options for Rhode Island families, and promoting a healthier environment. Rhode Island's natural and public assets are magnets, attracting more than 9 million Rhode Islanders and tourists a year. They're also an engine that adds an estimated $315 million to the economy, generating nearly $40 million in state and local taxes and supporting nearly 4,000 jobs a year.

Find more information here.

NYS DEC: A Day in the Life at Region 7 Bureau of Fisheries 

This fall, DEC is netting lake sturgeon in Cayuga Lake to monitor population abundance and to tag fish for the third year of 10-year telemetry study. DEC Region 7 Senior Aquatic Biologist Emily Zollweg-Horan and other Fisheries staff are conducting the study in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science. Among the lake sturgeon caught this fall were two adults, the larger measured at 77.6 inches and 154 pounds, and the smaller at 60 inches and 60 pounds (pictured).

As of October 2022, a total of 15 lake sturgeon received both passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and acoustic transmitter tags. PIT tags are electronic implantable microchips, each with a unique ID that allows DEC and partners to identify individual fish that can be scanned if netted during future monitoring efforts. Acoustic tags are scanned by receivers located throughout the lake and are picked up as the fish swim past and provide an understanding of where fish are moving throughout the lake. There are a total of 42 acoustic tagged lake sturgeon in Cayuga lake, including the 15 from this fall.

Visit DEC’s website for more information on lake sturgeon and check out this YouTube video about how DEC tracks lake sturgeon as part of the state's restoration effort.

Find more information here.