Supporting regional coastal and ocean managers: Linking ocean observing tools and capabilities to the priority needs of managers and users in the southeast region

Ocean observing has been recognized by the US Commission on Ocean Policy, the Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, and many other ocean policy entities and initiatives as foundational to meeting the nation’s need for more effective coastal and ocean management. The Interim Report of the Interagency Task Force on Ocean Policy (September 2009) has called for strengthening the nation’s capacity for observing the nation’s ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes systems. (PDF contains 3 pages)

Protecting a threatened coastal fish species through regional collaboration

Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) are small anadromous fish that live in nearshore coastal waters during much of the year and migrate to tidal rivers to spawn during the spring. They are a key prey species in marine food webs, as they are consumed by larger organisms such as striped bass, bluefish, and seabirds. In addition, smelt are valued culturally and economically, as they support important recreational and commercial fisheries. The Atlantic Coast range of rainbow smelt has been contracting in recent decades. Historically, populations extended from the Delaware River to eastern Labrador and the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Buckley 1989). More recent observations indicate that rainbow smelt spawning populations have been extirpated south of Long Island Sound, and evidence of spawning activity is extremely limited between Long Island and Cape Cod, MA. In the Gulf of Maine region, spawning runs are still observed, but monitoring surveys as well as commercial and recreational catches indicate that these populations have also declined (e.g., Chase and Childs 2001). Many diverse factors could drive the recently noted declines in rainbow smelt populations, including spawning habitat conditions, fish health, marine environmental conditions, and fishing pressure. Few studies have assessed any of these potential threats or their joint implications. In 2004, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed rainbow smelt as a species of concern. Subsequently, the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts were awarded a grant through NMFS’s Proactive Conservation Program to gather new information on the status of rainbow smelt, identify factors that affect spawning populations, and develop a multi-state conservation program. This paper provides an overview of this collaborative project, highlighting key biological monitoring and threats assessment research that is being conducted throughout the Gulf of Maine. (PDF contains 4 pages)

Regional and seasonal patterns of epipelagic fish assemblages from the central California Current

The coastal Pacific Ocean off northern and central California encompasses the strongest seasonal upwelling zone in the California Current ecosystem. Headlands and bays here generate complex circulation features and confer unusual oceanographic complexity. We sampled the coastal epipelagic fish community of this region with a surface trawl in the summer and fall of 2000–05 to assess patterns of spatial and temporal community structure. Fifty-three species of fish were captured in 218 hauls at 34 fixed stations, with clupeiform species dominating. To examine spatial patterns, samples were grouped by location relative to a prominent headland at Point Reyes and the resulting two regions, north coast and Gulf of the Farallones, were plotted by using nonmetric multidimensional scaling. Seasonal and interannual patterns were also examined, and representative species were identified for each distinct community. Seven oceanographic variables measured concurrently with trawling were plotted by principal components analysis and tested for correlation with biotic patterns. We found significant differences in community structure by region, year, and season, but no interaction among main effects. Significant differences in oceanographic conditions mirrored the biotic patterns, and a match between biotic and hydrographic structure was detected. Dissimilarity between assemblages was mostly the result of differences in abundance and frequency of occurrence of about twelve common species. Community patterns were best described by a subset of hydrographic variables, including water depth, distance from shore, and any one of several correlated variables associated with upwelling intensity. Rather than discrete communities with clear borders and distinct member species, we found gradients in community structure and identified stations with similar fish communities by region and by proximity to features such as the San Francisco Bay.

Regional variation in the annual feeding cycle of juvenile walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the western Gulf of Alaska

Juvenile fish in temperate coastal oceans exhibit an annual cycle of feeding, and within this cycle, poor wintertime feeding can reduce body growth, condition, and perhaps survival, especially in food-poor areas. We examined the stomach contents of juvenile walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) to explain previously observed seasonal and regional variation in juvenile body condition. Juvenile walleye pollock (1732 fish, 37–250 mm standard length) of the 2000 year class were collected from three regions in the Gulf of Alaska (Kodiak, Semidi, and Shumagin) representing an area of the continental shelf of ca. 100,000 km2 during four seasons (August 2000 to September 2001). Mean stomach content weight (SCW, 0.72% somatic body weight) decreased with fish body length except from winter to summer 2001. Euphausiids composed 61% of SCW and were the main determinant of seasonal change in the diets of fish in the Kodiak and Semidi regions. Before and during winter, SCW and the euphausiid dietary component were highest in the Kodiak region. Bioenergetics modeling indicated a relatively high growth rate for Kodiak juveniles during winter (0.33 mm standard length/d). After winter, Shumagin juveniles had relatively high SCW and, unlike the Kodiak and Semidi juveniles, exhibited no reduction in the euphausiid dietary component. These patterns explain previous seasonal and regional differences in body condition. We hypothesize that high-quality feeding locations (and perhaps nursery areas) shift seasonally in response to the availability of euphausiid

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 29th April, 1974

This is the first report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 29th April, 1974. The report looks at sections on estimates for the anticipated income and expenditure on fisheries for the current year, the structure of fisheries in the region, and a list of the fisheries in the ownership of the North West Water Authority. Also covered is information relating to fishery and sea fishery byelaws, license duties and a summary of the current activity and the future plans for the committee. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 21st July, 1975

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 21st July 1975. The report contains information on the appointment of the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee (1975-1976), the appointment of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committee (1975-1976), and the land drainage representation on Local Fisheries Committees. Also included in the report is information on fishery byelaws, fishing at Jumble Reservoir and a progress report on a proposed Coarse Fish Unit and coarse fish stock pools. Licence duties, long term angling leases on Authority Waters and radio equipment for Bailiffting Staff are also covered. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 30th September, 1974

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 30th September, 1974. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, the income from licence duties, and an interim report on the establishment of a coarse fish unit. Also included is the regional fish hatchery requirements and information on the ban of imports of wild freshwater fish due to fish disease. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 3rd November 1975.

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 3rd November 1975. The report contains information on the proceedings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committee and recommendations for these committees, proposed Coarse Fish Unit, netting on the Solway Firth, fishing licence duties, fisheries improvement works on the River Leven and fishing at Jumbles Reservoir. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 6th January, 1975

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 6th January, 1975. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, information on the proceedings of the Fishery Licensing Sub-Committe and fisheries improvement work on the River Leven. Also included is information on the ban of imports of wild freshwater fish due to fish disease. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 9th February, 1976.

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 9th February 1976. The report contains information on the proceedings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committee and recommendations for these committees and Worthington Coarse Fish Unit. It also covers fishing licence duties, fisheries improvement work on the River Leven, proposed new code of fisheries byelaws, the seminar on water conditions harmful to fish life and Heysham and Lancaster sewage disposal. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 3rd May, 1976.

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 3rd May 1976. The report contains information on the regional fisheries organization, the review of the Water Industry in England and Wales, fisheries improvement work on the River Leven, Mitton Hatchery, new code of fishery byelaws, proposed byelaws (Coniston) and temporary licences. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 24th February, 1975

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 24th February, 1975. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, Licence duties and regional fish hatchery requirements. Also included is the consolidation of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Acts, fishery byelaws and a brief note on fisheries improvement work on the River Leven. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 25th April, 1977.

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 25th April 1977. The report contains the minutes of the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, fisheries income and expenditure and information on the distribution of licences. The report also includes the National Water Council Review of Discharge Consent Conditions Consultation Paper, and information on fishery byelaws and netting on the Solway Firth. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 12th May, 1975

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 12th May, 1975. The report covers the minutes from the previous meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, licence duties, fishery byelaws, and regional fish hatchery requirements. Also included is information on the long term angling leases on Authority waters. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee 18th July, 1977

This is the report from the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 18th July 1977. The report contains the minutes of the last meetings of the Local Fisheries Advisory Committees, information on fisheries income and expenditure and fisheries byelaws. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.