Researchers identified 187 North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a 40% segment of the catalogued population, with most returning every year for up to 5 months. The study highlights the importance of the Gulf as a habitat and provides valuable information for developing protection measures.
The NOAA Fisheries Milford Lab used underwater video and environmental DNA sampling to investigate how fish interact with oyster cages. The study found that seven fish species were present, including four species consistently associated with the cages, revealing new insights into fish behavior and ecology.
Shellfish aquaculture provides direct economic benefits and ecosystem services, including habitat for native species and improved water quality. A study estimated that replacing shellfish aquaculture with traditional engineered nutrient reduction strategies would cost between $2.8-5.8 million per year.
A recent NOAA study published in Ecology and Evolution reveals higher interaction rates between spiny dogfish and Atlantic cod than previously observed. The study uses genetic testing to confirm cod presence in dogfish stomachs, finding that small cod are more likely to be well-digested, making identification challenging.
Researchers studied feeding habits of 17 fish species and found that most responded to changing prey abundance by switching to the most abundant prey. However, planktivores and benthivores were less likely to consume more food when invertebrate prey was abundant, suggesting disorientation or confusion may occur.
A NOAA study shows that elevated carbon dioxide concentrations slow down shellfish gill cilia, reducing feeding and filtration rates in blue mussels. This affects ecosystem services like energy and growth in marine ecosystems.
Researchers tracked changes in loggerhead sea turtle behavior before and after Hurricane Irene passed through the Mid-Atlantic Bight. The study found that turtles reacted to environmental changes, including cooler surface temperatures and disrupted thermocline layers, which influenced their movements and dive behavior.
Researchers tracked baleen whale movements using passive acoustic recordings, finding four species have changed their distribution patterns in the past decade. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than other regions, resulting in changes in distribution for five out of six baleen whale species.
Researchers project that American lobster will move further offshore and sea scallops will shift north in the coming decades. The study's findings pose fishery management challenges as changing habitats can impact where species can be caught and who has access to them.
A pilot study tested the effectiveness of drones in measuring Atlantic bluefin tuna, showing they can capture images of individual fish and schools with high accuracy. The use of drones may supplement traditional fishing methods and provide valuable data for fisheries management.
The updated atlas provides detailed profiles for 14 shark species, including bull and tiger sharks, and significantly extends their known ranges and movements. The data collected through the Cooperative Shark Tagging Program has filled in gaps in the geographic distributions and movements of most shark species.
Researchers at NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center have identified suitable locations off the US northeast coast for offshore blue mussel farms. The study suggests that Long Island, north of Cape Ann in Massachusetts, and off New Hampshire are promising sites due to favorable temperature and food availability conditions.
A new tool has been developed to help manage the Nova Scotia lobster fishery in the face of climate change. The tool incorporates projected changes in ocean climate onto a geographic management area, enabling fishermen and resource managers to plan for future sustainability.
A new approach to managing fisheries focuses on whole ecosystems rather than individual populations. The proposed indices use widely available data to determine when ecosystem overfishing is occurring, helping avoid damaging impacts on fishing economies.
Researchers found that preserving the lives of adult females in the North Atlantic right whale population is crucial for promoting population growth and recovery. Most deaths are attributed to entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with ships, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect these animals.
Research finds that warming ocean temperatures and changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation are causing a significant decline in shellfish landings. Habitat degradation, including increased predation and poor water quality, is also contributing to the decline.
A new NOAA report finds that 49 million adults participated in ocean and coastal recreation, spending $141 billion and supporting 3.1 million jobs. The Pacific region had the largest participation, with nearly 14 million participants spending over $39 billion.
Researchers found that shark vertebral band pairs are related to growth, specifically body width and girth, rather than time or age. This discovery challenges previous methods used for decades and has implications for fisheries management.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has slowed down by about 15 percent since the 1950s, with recent years showing a record low. This weakening is linked to rising carbon dioxide levels and impacts fish distributions, ocean temperatures, and fisheries in the Northeast U.S. Shelf.
Researchers analyzed basking shark aggregations off the northeastern US coast to learn more about their behavior. They found that these events occurred during summer and fall, when sea surface temperatures were between 55-75 degrees F, and are likely related to foraging and socializing.
A study published in Animal Behaviour examined the acoustic behavior of North Atlantic right whales, finding that their calls change as individuals age. Similar to human infants, younger whale calls are shorter and less structured, but develop into clearer sounds with better defined structure as they mature.
NOAA scientists found that vessel traffic noise is reducing the distance over which Atlantic cod and haddock can communicate with each other. This may alter their daily behavior, feeding, mating, and socializing during critical biological periods.
Researchers found that ribbed mussels were effective at removing nitrogen and other excess nutrients from the Bronx River, with an estimated 138 pounds of nitrogen removed. The study suggests that mussel farming could be a viable tool for improving water quality in urban estuaries.
Researchers tracked North Atlantic right whales using passive acoustic monitoring, finding they use nearly the entire eastern seaboard during winter and move around more than thought. The study revealed changes in their time spent in some areas and confirmed their presence along the East Coast year-round.
Researchers from the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center used a towed linear hydrophone array to document dive depths for Gervais' and True's beaked whales, two of the least known species. The study provides new insights into their behavior, revealing that they dive as deep as 870 meters in search of food.
Researchers found that warming climate conditions could lead to significant economic and healthcare costs due to increased occurrences of Vibrio bacteria in Chesapeake Bay. The study used a new downscaling framework to project future increases in Vibrio species, highlighting the need for models of climate impact on estuarine environments.
A new statistical model confirms a decline in North Atlantic right whale population since 2010, with adult females experiencing a significant drop. The study's findings highlight the need for urgent conservation efforts to protect this endangered species.
As ocean waters warm at a rate two to three times faster than the global average, commercially important species will continue to shift their distribution. This shift is expected to impact local fishing communities, as species now landed at those ports move out of range and new species move in.
The Adélie penguin population in Antarctica is facing significant threats from climate change, with some colonies expected to decline by 30% by 2060 and 60% by 2099. Climate warming in certain regions has led to population declines, while cooling conditions have resulted in stable or increasing populations.
Scientists have identified a new potential spawning ground for Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Slope Sea off the northeastern US coast. This finding challenges the long-held assumption of a single Gulf of Mexico spawning area, suggesting that western Atlantic bluefin may be less vulnerable to fishing and stressors.
Researchers found consistent patterns in species distribution shifts within assemblages, influenced by temperature and depth. Climate change impacts vary between regions, affecting predator-prey interactions and fisheries management.
Most US marine fish and invertebrate species are vulnerable to climate change, with some more resilient than others. The study ranks species based on their vulnerability, predicting widespread distribution shifts and potential impacts on abundance and productivity.
A new study by NOAA researchers predicts that ocean temperatures in the Northeast U.S. may warm twice as fast and three times faster than previously estimated. This accelerated warming is driven by a higher resolution climate model that better reflects regional ocean circulation patterns.
A new study found that climate change is altering the distributions of young and adult fish in the Northeast U.S. Larval stages of 43% of species shifted distribution, while adult stages of 50% also changed, often moving northwards or along the shelf. These changes have significant implications for fisheries management.
Advances in acoustic and satellite technologies are allowing researchers to track animals large and small across great distances. The paper highlights breakthroughs and discoveries brought about by hi-tech telemetry, enabling the day-to-day management of living marine resources.
Researchers developed a model to assess how dams affect sea-run fish populations, finding that abundance and distribution increased when mainstem dams were removed or passage efficiency improved. The model can predict ecological responses of fish populations and evaluate management actions for fish migrating between fresh and saltwater.
A new computer model developed by NOAA and research institutions will help inform scallop management decisions. The integrated assessment model evaluates the impacts of ocean acidification on Atlantic sea scallops, predicting potential declines in harvest levels and landings over the next several decades.
The U.S. Northeast Passive Acoustic Sensing Network (NEPAN) uses buoys and autonomous underwater vehicles to record and archive sounds from marine mammals and fish in the western North Atlantic. The data will inform NOAA Fisheries stock assessment reports, permit consultations, and specific management actions.
Researchers identified over 100 biologically important areas (BIAs) in U.S. waters to inform conservation and management decisions for whales, dolphins, and porpoises. BIAs cover 24 species, stocks, or populations in seven regions and include reproductive, feeding, migratory, and population-concentrated areas.
Researchers have created a reliable growth curve for white sharks in the western North Atlantic, revealing they grow more slowly and mature later than initially estimated. The study found males reach maturity at around age 26 and females at around 33, leading to new estimates of population replacement rates.
Scientists studied four commercial and recreational fish stocks in Northeast U.S. waters and found that climate change affects their distribution, while fishing pressure has significant impacts on a more immediate time scale. The study shows that different species respond differently to temperature and fishing pressure.
Research from NOAA Fisheries reveals how a shift in prey species led to cod aggregating in a small area, making them easily caught by fishermen. This change affected fishery management and assessment results, highlighting the need for accurate indicators of stock abundance.
A new study provides an updated picture of white shark distribution and abundance patterns in the western North Atlantic Ocean, showing signs of population recovery. The analysis of over 200 years of records suggests that white sharks are more common along coastal waters than offshore areas.
Researchers found the bio-duck sound is made by Antarctic minke whales, which stay in ice-covered waters year-round or migrate to lower latitudes. The discovery helps improve understanding of the species' distribution, abundance, and behavior.
Scientists tracked 18 individual minke whales using passive acoustic monitoring, finding that each species uses a unique call sequence to interact with others. The findings provide insight into minke whale social interactions and migration patterns.
A new study suggests that adult white sharks in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean may live for up to 70 years or longer. Researchers used radiocarbon dating to determine age estimates and found that growth rates slow down as sharks age, leading to underestimated ages.
A new study reveals that favorable climate conditions in the year prior to nesting and the number of returning female turtles significantly impact loggerhead sea turtle nesting activity. The research suggests that protecting older juveniles and sub-adults is crucial for population recovery, and may be more important than protecting hat...
A new study suggests that local climatic conditions, rather than biological differences among species, explain observed shifts in marine species distribution. Researchers analyzed four decades of data from NOAA and Canadian fisheries surveys and found that 74% of species shifted latitude in the same direction as climate velocity.
Scientists have found evidence that North Atlantic right whales mate in the Gulf of Maine, with a high proportion of potential mates aggregating there between November and January. The study used aerial surveys and genetics data to identify individuals and determine mating grounds, shedding light on the species' life history.
Researchers found that zooplankton species critical for Atlantic cod larvae have declined in abundance, affecting their survival and recovery after overfishing. The study highlights the impact of changing ocean temperatures on the food chain, with significant biological consequences.