Northeast Cooperative Research Study Fleet (SF) Program partners with a subset of commercial fishermen to collect high quality, high resolution, haul by haul self-reported fishing data. SF staff routinely sails with program participants in order to collect independent catch weight measurements to compare to the Captains’ kept and discard records for verification.The SF Program creates a unique opportunity for the collection of biological data as well as biological samples both by vessel operators and by SF staff. Participant vessels are able to provide biological data and fish to the NEFSC for use in research relevant to species stock assessments and a better understanding of fish biology. Commercial fishermen have the ability to provide samples during periods of time when traditional sample sources are unavailable (i.e., periods when NEFSC bottom trawl surveys are not operating, periods of species closures, specific needs with respect to species presence at certain times of the year and/or in specific locations, etc.) and they can also provide additional information with regards to their encountered catch (i.e., length frequencies, sex ratios, etc.).

Northeast Cooperative Research Study Fleet (SF) Program partners with a subset of commercial fishermen to collect high quality, high resolution, haul by haul self-reported fishing data. SF staff routinely sails with program participants in order to collect independent catch weight measurements to compare to the Captains’ kept and discard records for verification.The SF Program creates a unique opportunity for the collection of biological data as well as biological samples both by vessel operators and by SF staff. Participant vessels are able to provide biological data and fish to the NEFSC for use in research relevant to species stock assessments and a better understanding of fish biology. Commercial fishermen have the ability to provide samples during periods of time when traditional sample sources are unavailable (i.e., periods when NEFSC bottom trawl surveys are not operating, periods of species closures, specific needs with respect to species presence at certain times of the year and/or in specific locations, etc.) and they can also provide additional information with regards to their encountered catch (i.e., length frequencies, sex ratios, etc.).

Age and length frequency data for finfish and invertebrate species collected during commercial fishing vessels. Samples are collected by fisheries reporting specialist from fish dealers in ports along the northwest Atlantic Ocean from Maine to North Carolina.

Methods for reproductive sterilization are broadly needed in marine aquaculture due to biosafety concerns associated with escapement of farmed fish and potential genetic contamination of wild stocks. Current methods for sterilization have been primarily tested in freshwater fishes and are often ineffective, particularly in males. The proposed activity builds upon our recent success in producing the first-ever monosex female stocks of sablefish for aquaculture and seeks to develop eco-friendly, non-GMO methods for reproductive sterilization. We will use sablefish as our model marine species for sterilization and continue to collaborate with University of Maryland faculty with expertise in cutting-edge techniques for sterilization. Development of sustainable marine aquaculture is a high priority at the local (NWFSC), regional (WCR), and national levels (NOAA, DOC, Congress). Our sablefish sex control/sterilization project was also highlighted as a critical priority and outstanding area of research in the NOAA Aquaculture Science Review published 28 Feb 2019. We ultimately aim to transfer a sterilization technology to the US sablefish aquaculture industry and expand our methodology to other important species, with the goal of improving sustainability of marine aquaculture and mitigating impacts on the environment. Fish in experiments are often PIT tagged and regularly checked for growth in fork length and body weight.

Methods for reproductive sterilization are broadly needed in marine aquaculture due to biosafety concerns associated with escapement of farmed fish and potential genetic contamination of wild stocks. Current methods for sterilization have been primarily tested in freshwater fishes and are often ineffective, particularly in males. The proposed activity builds upon our recent success in producing the first-ever monosex female stocks of sablefish for aquaculture and seeks to develop eco-friendly, non-GMO methods for reproductive sterilization. We will use sablefish as our model marine species for sterilization and continue to collaborate with University of Maryland faculty with expertise in cutting-edge techniques for sterilization. Development of sustainable marine aquaculture is a high priority at the local (NWFSC), regional (WCR), and national levels (NOAA, DOC, Congress). Our sablefish sex control/sterilization project was also highlighted as a critical priority and outstanding area of research in the NOAA Aquaculture Science Review published 28 Feb 2019. We ultimately aim to transfer a sterilization technology to the US sablefish aquaculture industry and expand our methodology to other important species, with the goal of improving sustainability of marine aquaculture and mitigating impacts on the environment. Raw data on rearing densities, tanks, water temperature, mortalities, ration and feed size may be available.

The Fisheries Ecology Division (FED, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/molecular-ecology-and-genetic-analysis-california-salmon-and-groundfish) of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) has conducted a midwater trawl survey off central California since 1983 with the primary goal of developing pre-recruit indices for young-of-the-year (YOY) rockfish (Sebastes spp.). The survey also samples numerous other components of the epipelagic micronekton, including other YOY groundfish (such as Pacific hake, Merluccius productus, and sanddab, Citharichthys spp ), coastal pelagic fishes (such as Pacific sardine, Sardinops sagax, and northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax) and other forage species. Additional details regarding the survey methods and results are described in Ralston et al. (2015) and Sakuma et al. (http://calcofi.org/publications/calcofireports/v57/Vol57-Sakuma_pages.163-183.pdf). Ralston, S., J.C. Field and K.S. Sakuma. 2015. Longterm variation in a central California pelagic forage assemblage. Journal of Marine Systems 146: 26-37. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2014.06.013. Sakuma, K.M., J.C. Field, B.B. Marinovic, C.N. Carrion, N.J. Mantua and S. Ralston. In revision. Anomalous epipelagic micronekton assemblage patterns in the neritic waters of the California Current in spring 2015 during a period of extreme ocean conditions. CalCOFI Reports.

The Hook and Line Survey will collect species-specific aggregate weight and abundance, as well as individual lengths and biological characteristics (e.g., age, maturity, genetics, diet, energetics). Tagging will also be conducted opportunistically and by request. In addition to deploying hook and line gear, the survey will deploy a benthic stereo camera system to collect additional information on fish density, abundance, and demographics. A suite of environmental data will be collected via conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) deployments at each survey station. Habitat data will be collected using seafloor imaging (still or video) techniques. Finally, operational and gear deployment data will be collected for every gear set. The Hook and Line Survey is a new survey, so all data uses are prospective. Once the survey is mature, the data will be used in stock assessments for a variety of commercially and recreationally important species and for analyses that support management actions. This will encompass species covered by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), including but not limited to Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), pollock (Pollachius pollachius), white hake (Urophycis tenuis), red hake (Urophycis chuss), summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), scup (Stenotomus chrysops), black sea bass (Centropristis striata), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), spiny dogfish (Pomatomus saltatrix), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), and skates. At least 5 years of Hook and Line Survey data will be required before abundance indices from the survey are integrated into stock assessments, but habitat and biological data could be used immediately to supplement existing data streams. Beyond stock assessments and management, the data from the Hook and Line Survey will also be used in research to understand the cumulative impacts of offshore wind on resource species and their habitats. Note that the Hook and Line Survey is a new survey and is still in planning and review. The exact geographic extent and survey strata are still under review. The geographic extent displayed here is tentative.

The Hook and Line Survey will collect species-specific aggregate weight and abundance, as well as individual lengths and biological characteristics (e.g., age, maturity, genetics, diet, energetics). Tagging will also be conducted opportunistically and by request. In addition to deploying hook and line gear, the survey will deploy a benthic stereo camera system to collect additional information on fish density, abundance, and demographics. A suite of environmental data will be collected via conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) deployments at each survey station. Habitat data will be collected using seafloor imaging (still or video) techniques. Finally, operational and gear deployment data will be collected for every gear set. The Hook and Line Survey is a new survey, so all data uses are prospective. Once the survey is mature, the data will be used in stock assessments for a variety of commercially and recreationally important species and for analyses that support management actions. This will encompass species covered by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), including but not limited to Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), pollock (Pollachius pollachius), white hake (Urophycis tenuis), red hake (Urophycis chuss), summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), scup (Stenotomus chrysops), black sea bass (Centropristis striata), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), spiny dogfish (Pomatomus saltatrix), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), and skates. At least 5 years of Hook and Line Survey data will be required before abundance indices from the survey are integrated into stock assessments, but habitat and biological data could be used immediately to supplement existing data streams. Beyond stock assessments and management, the data from the Hook and Line Survey will also be used in research to understand the cumulative impacts of offshore wind on resource species and their habitats. Note that the Hook and Line Survey is a new survey and is still in planning and review. The exact geographic extent and survey strata are still under review. The geographic extent displayed here is tentative.

NOAA Fisheries and its partners conduct fisheries-independent surveys in 8 regions in the US (Northeast, Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Hawai’i Islands). These surveys are designed to collect information on the seasonal distribution, relative abundance, and biodiversity of fish and invertebrate species found in U.S. waters. Over 900 species of fish and invertebrates have been identified in these surveys.

The deep water biodiversity surveys explore and describe the biodiversity of the bathy- and bentho-pelagic nekton using Midwater and bottom trawls. The covered area includes the western North Atlantic between the vicinity of Bear Seamount and Physalia Seamount, and areas surrounding the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR-ECO), focusing on the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone.