Northeast Fisheries Science Center
1.
Correspondence (January 27-29, 2015) M
#1
NEFSC REPORT TO FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCILS, JAN. 9, 2015
SURVEYS AND FIELD STUDIES
Integrated Pelagic Survey / Ecosystem Monitoring Survey: The NOAA Ship Pisces completed the November 2014 IPS / EcoMon survey. It coupled mid‐water trawl acoustic operations with ecosystem monitoring. Data were collected on ocean chemistry, physical oceanography, plankton and forage fish, ranging from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Hatteras. A wide range of sampling was conducted meeting objectives for multiple NOAA programs. A second EcoMon cruise will likely take place in February or May, when data will be collected on larval herring and mackerel. AMAPPS Aerial Surveys: Looking for marine mammals and sea turtles, NEFSC scientists conduct aerial surveys of waters from the coast to about the 2000m depth contour from New Jersey to Halifax, Nova Scotia. SEFSC scientists survey from New Jersey to Florida. In addition, USFWS scientists survey sea birds from the coast to about 30 miles offshore from Florida to Maine using USFWS airplanes. Recent surveys took place Feb‐Apr 2014 and are also currently being conducted from Dec 2014‐Feb 2015. The plan is to continue these surveys once or twice a year until 2018, to study annual and seasonal differences. FSV Bigelow Catchability: NEFSC scientists from multiple branches are discussing the potential effect of current direction and speed on Bigelow catchability. They will be examining relationships between estimated current speed and direction relative to direction of trawl survey tows and catch per tow. Current speed and direction are obtained from a numerical oceanographic model developed at SMAST. The work is expected to inform field research in 2015 and provide a preliminary evaluation of the potential effect of currents on catch. Remote sensing for biological sounds: Using the R/V AUK, NEFSC and WHOI scientists deployed gliders in Massachusetts Bay in December as part of an ongoing pilot project. The gliders are equipped with acoustic receivers and hydrophones and may be able to identify through sound the locations of spawning cod aggregations. Completion of Fall WGOM Long Line survey ‐ NEFSC scientists worked with industry on commercial vessels in October and November in a pilot survey to sample fish species in rocky and smooth bottom habitats for comparison with data collected during NEFSC bottom trawl surveys. They sampled base stations, alternate stations, and bait‐type test stations. Sampling involved Go‐Pro camera work to verify bottom‐type, deploying long‐ term current meters, and tagging dogfish. This represents the second cooperative longline survey of GOM. Results of the first survey in May 2014 are being analyzed. 1
Observer Program (Fisheries Sampling) ‐ Fisheries Sampling Branch (FSB) completed 3,036 seadays and 1,213 trips during October – December 2014. This comprises days from the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP), At‐Sea Monitoring (ASM), and Industry funded Scallop (IFS). FSB has been refining sampling protocols for pot and trap fisheries. FSB staffed a kiosk at an outreach event at the Delaware Coast Day in Lewes, DE, and held an information session in Montauk, New York describing sea day coverage. FSB also completed the first stage of an evaluation and review of Observer Programs. STOCK ASSESSMENTS AND PEER REVIEWS
The Assessment Oversight Panel (SSC chairs and senior NEFSC scientist) met on Dec. 22, 2014 to discuss plans for the herring Operational Stock Assessment. The call was open to the public. NEFSC scientists summarized recent data and implications for conducting a new herring stock assessment. The AOP concluded that anticipated changes to the assessment model would exceed the scope of modifications allowed in the Operational Assessment Process, and decided that an alternative approach will be needed in the short term. Additional meetings will be held with the NEFMC SSC and PDT so that a basis for 2016 herring catch advice can be developed. Peer review of scallop survey methods will take place during March 17‐19, 2015 in New Bedford, MA. Peer review of lobster stock assessment, done in collaboration with ASMFC, will take place during spring 2015. OTHER CENTER ACTIVITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS
Climate, Ecosystem, Habitat, and Assessment Steering Group (CEHASG): The CEHASG (NEFSC) reviewed the Atlantic Mackerel assessment on Dec. 3 with the goal of developing a research plan to support the next benchmark assessment. Ecosystem, climate, and habitat issues were discussed with plans to include these factors in future assessments. Minimizing River Herring and Shad Catch in Herring and Mackerel Fisheries: Discussions between GARFO Protected Resources Division and NEFSC Ecosystems Processes Division were held on Nov. 26 about a National Cooperative Research project to develop methods using fishery dependent and survey data to reduce RH/S catch in the herring and mackerel fisheries through modeling. eVTR initiative support: COOP staff are coordinating with Cornell and the North Atlantic Clam Association to support electronic VTR reporting. The focus is on squid and including other Mid‐
2
Atlantic fisheries, and to modifying software to support eVTR in the clam fishery. There are currently over 50 vessels and crews equipped and trained with eVTR. Jonah Crab Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP): Jonah crab has been a bycatch of the lobster fishery. In recent years this crab market has increased. In November, NEFSC and GMRI staff discussed stock assessment needs and management strategies for the ASMFC to consider in the new FMP. There is a need to determine an appropriate minimum size. The FIP is initiating a program to collect data related to crab size and life history to characterize the commercial harvest in Southern New England. The data will help to inform minimum size alternatives. Ocean acidification (OA): NEFSC Scientists at the NEFSC Howard Laboratory have completed OA experiments that evaluated the effects of elevated CO2 and water temperature on early life‐ stages of summer and winter flounder. Initial results show both species to be sensitive to CO2. PUBLICATONS
A Field‐based Nursery for “Head Starting” Lobsters to Improve Post‐release Survival for Potential Stock Enhancement in Long Island Sound, Connecticut. By: Renee Mercaldo‐ Allen1, Ronald Goldberg1, Catherine A. Kuropat1, Paul Clark1, Robert Alix1, Werner Schreiner1, and John Roy2 , Accepted by: North American Journal of Aquaculture. .1 Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Milford Laboratory, 212 Rogers Ave, Milford CT 06460 USA 2The Sound School, 60 S Water Street, New Haven CT 06519 USA Post‐release mortality in istiophorid billfish. By: Michael K. Musyl, Christopher D. Moyes, Richard W Brill, Bruno L. Mourato, Andrew West, Lianne M. McNaughton, Wei‐Chuan Chiang, Chi‐Lu Sun). Accepted by: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Variations in reproductive potential between nearshore and offshore spawning contingents of hogfish in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. By: Collins, A. B., and R. S. McBride. 2014. Fisheries Manag. Ecol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/fme.12102 Wind, Recruitment, and Gulf of Maine Atlantic Cod. By: Jon Hare, Elizabeth Brooks, Mike Palmer, and Jim Churchill. Accepted by: Fisheries Oceanography When “data” are not data: the pitfalls of post‐hoc analyses that use stock assessment model output. By: Elizabeth Brooks and Jonathan Deroba. Accepted by: Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. Incremental fishing gear modifications fail to significantly reduce large whale serious injury rates. By: Pace RM III, Cole TVN, Henry AG. (2014) Endang Species Res 26:115‐126 BOEM article about AMAPPS ( page 14): http://www.boem.gov/Ocean‐Science‐Jul‐Aug‐Sep‐2014/
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Correspondence (January 27-29, 2015) M
#1
NEFSC REPORT TO FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCILS, JAN. 9, 2015
SURVEYS AND FIELD STUDIES
Integrated Pelagic Survey / Ecosystem Monitoring Survey: The NOAA Ship Pisces completed the November 2014 IPS / EcoMon survey. It coupled mid‐water trawl acoustic operations with ecosystem monitoring. Data were collected on ocean chemistry, physical oceanography, plankton and forage fish, ranging from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Hatteras. A wide range of sampling was conducted meeting objectives for multiple NOAA programs. A second EcoMon cruise will likely take place in February or May, when data will be collected on larval herring and mackerel. AMAPPS Aerial Surveys: Looking for marine mammals and sea turtles, NEFSC scientists conduct aerial surveys of waters from the coast to about the 2000m depth contour from New Jersey to Halifax, Nova Scotia. SEFSC scientists survey from New Jersey to Florida. In addition, USFWS scientists survey sea birds from the coast to about 30 miles offshore from Florida to Maine using USFWS airplanes. Recent surveys took place Feb‐Apr 2014 and are also currently being conducted from Dec 2014‐Feb 2015. The plan is to continue these surveys once or twice a year until 2018, to study annual and seasonal differences. FSV Bigelow Catchability: NEFSC scientists from multiple branches are discussing the potential effect of current direction and speed on Bigelow catchability. They will be examining relationships between estimated current speed and direction relative to direction of trawl survey tows and catch per tow. Current speed and direction are obtained from a numerical oceanographic model developed at SMAST. The work is expected to inform field research in 2015 and provide a preliminary evaluation of the potential effect of currents on catch. Remote sensing for biological sounds: Using the R/V AUK, NEFSC and WHOI scientists deployed gliders in Massachusetts Bay in December as part of an ongoing pilot project. The gliders are equipped with acoustic receivers and hydrophones and may be able to identify through sound the locations of spawning cod aggregations. Completion of Fall WGOM Long Line survey ‐ NEFSC scientists worked with industry on commercial vessels in October and November in a pilot survey to sample fish species in rocky and smooth bottom habitats for comparison with data collected during NEFSC bottom trawl surveys. They sampled base stations, alternate stations, and bait‐type test stations. Sampling involved Go‐Pro camera work to verify bottom‐type, deploying long‐ term current meters, and tagging dogfish. This represents the second cooperative longline survey of GOM. Results of the first survey in May 2014 are being analyzed. 1
Observer Program (Fisheries Sampling) ‐ Fisheries Sampling Branch (FSB) completed 3,036 seadays and 1,213 trips during October – December 2014. This comprises days from the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP), At‐Sea Monitoring (ASM), and Industry funded Scallop (IFS). FSB has been refining sampling protocols for pot and trap fisheries. FSB staffed a kiosk at an outreach event at the Delaware Coast Day in Lewes, DE, and held an information session in Montauk, New York describing sea day coverage. FSB also completed the first stage of an evaluation and review of Observer Programs. STOCK ASSESSMENTS AND PEER REVIEWS
The Assessment Oversight Panel (SSC chairs and senior NEFSC scientist) met on Dec. 22, 2014 to discuss plans for the herring Operational Stock Assessment. The call was open to the public. NEFSC scientists summarized recent data and implications for conducting a new herring stock assessment. The AOP concluded that anticipated changes to the assessment model would exceed the scope of modifications allowed in the Operational Assessment Process, and decided that an alternative approach will be needed in the short term. Additional meetings will be held with the NEFMC SSC and PDT so that a basis for 2016 herring catch advice can be developed. Peer review of scallop survey methods will take place during March 17‐19, 2015 in New Bedford, MA. Peer review of lobster stock assessment, done in collaboration with ASMFC, will take place during spring 2015. OTHER CENTER ACTIVITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS
Climate, Ecosystem, Habitat, and Assessment Steering Group (CEHASG): The CEHASG (NEFSC) reviewed the Atlantic Mackerel assessment on Dec. 3 with the goal of developing a research plan to support the next benchmark assessment. Ecosystem, climate, and habitat issues were discussed with plans to include these factors in future assessments. Minimizing River Herring and Shad Catch in Herring and Mackerel Fisheries: Discussions between GARFO Protected Resources Division and NEFSC Ecosystems Processes Division were held on Nov. 26 about a National Cooperative Research project to develop methods using fishery dependent and survey data to reduce RH/S catch in the herring and mackerel fisheries through modeling. eVTR initiative support: COOP staff are coordinating with Cornell and the North Atlantic Clam Association to support electronic VTR reporting. The focus is on squid and including other Mid‐
2
Atlantic fisheries, and to modifying software to support eVTR in the clam fishery. There are currently over 50 vessels and crews equipped and trained with eVTR. Jonah Crab Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP): Jonah crab has been a bycatch of the lobster fishery. In recent years this crab market has increased. In November, NEFSC and GMRI staff discussed stock assessment needs and management strategies for the ASMFC to consider in the new FMP. There is a need to determine an appropriate minimum size. The FIP is initiating a program to collect data related to crab size and life history to characterize the commercial harvest in Southern New England. The data will help to inform minimum size alternatives. Ocean acidification (OA): NEFSC Scientists at the NEFSC Howard Laboratory have completed OA experiments that evaluated the effects of elevated CO2 and water temperature on early life‐ stages of summer and winter flounder. Initial results show both species to be sensitive to CO2. PUBLICATONS
A Field‐based Nursery for “Head Starting” Lobsters to Improve Post‐release Survival for Potential Stock Enhancement in Long Island Sound, Connecticut. By: Renee Mercaldo‐ Allen1, Ronald Goldberg1, Catherine A. Kuropat1, Paul Clark1, Robert Alix1, Werner Schreiner1, and John Roy2 , Accepted by: North American Journal of Aquaculture. .1 Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Milford Laboratory, 212 Rogers Ave, Milford CT 06460 USA 2The Sound School, 60 S Water Street, New Haven CT 06519 USA Post‐release mortality in istiophorid billfish. By: Michael K. Musyl, Christopher D. Moyes, Richard W Brill, Bruno L. Mourato, Andrew West, Lianne M. McNaughton, Wei‐Chuan Chiang, Chi‐Lu Sun). Accepted by: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Variations in reproductive potential between nearshore and offshore spawning contingents of hogfish in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. By: Collins, A. B., and R. S. McBride. 2014. Fisheries Manag. Ecol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/fme.12102 Wind, Recruitment, and Gulf of Maine Atlantic Cod. By: Jon Hare, Elizabeth Brooks, Mike Palmer, and Jim Churchill. Accepted by: Fisheries Oceanography When “data” are not data: the pitfalls of post‐hoc analyses that use stock assessment model output. By: Elizabeth Brooks and Jonathan Deroba. Accepted by: Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. Incremental fishing gear modifications fail to significantly reduce large whale serious injury rates. By: Pace RM III, Cole TVN, Henry AG. (2014) Endang Species Res 26:115‐126 BOEM article about AMAPPS ( page 14): http://www.boem.gov/Ocean‐Science‐Jul‐Aug‐Sep‐2014/
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