Fisheries Ecology in the Northeast

We study fisheries ecology: the relationship between important marine life and their environment. Our goal is to support sustainable wild and farmed fisheries on the Northeast shelf to create opportunities and benefits for the economy and ecosystem.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

A man in an orange life vest, hat, and mask on the right closes a red notebook with field data. He stands in the center of white boat that’s moving through the water with the river and coast behind him. — Howard Lab scientist, Mike Dobiesz, takes field notes on the Mullica River, New Jersey while on a boat to collect fish for breeding in the laboratory.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

The United States is a world leader in sustainably managed fisheries and seafood. New Jersey fisheries are key to employment for coastal and surrounding communities. They contribute more than $1 billion to the state economy. To ensure our fisheries are resilient to climate change and other human-caused environmental issues, we work with partners to perform science in support of sustainable fishery management.

Climate Change

Two men stand behind a green bin full of small marine animals in water while a woman reaches into the bin on the right. The men are standing on the back of a boat with a net trawl hanging from bars behind their heads. The man on the left, wearing a green helmet and red jacket, holds a small red lobster in his hands. — Biological technician John Rosendale holds up a lobster to show to Monmouth University students while on the former NOAA Research Vessel Nauvoo.

As a coastal region, the Northeast relies on ocean resources. Climate change creates a less predictable, and warming climate. Higher global temperatures cause environmental changes like sea-level rise and quicker development of young fish. From surveys to experiments, we assess and track changes in our oceans. Our research from studying the effects of climate change on marine life health informs sustainable ocean management.

Wind Energy and Fish Behavior

Two black sea bass face the sides of their bodies to the viewing glass of an aquarium window. A sea bass to the right looks at the glass head-on with fins flaring to the side. Several other black sea bass swim around in the far background with one resting on the bottom of the tank. — Adult black sea bass look through one of the viewing windows of the Howard Lab’s 32,000-gallon research aquarium.

We work to understand the interactions between offshore wind energy projects, marine life, and habitats. Funded by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, we study the impact noise has on black sea bass behavior. This research informs management to protect fisheries as offshore wind energy development continues.

Finfish Aquaculture

Three light blue, circular tanks align at the center of the photo and trail off to the right.Plastic pipes carry seawater from the ceiling and are attached to the inside of each of the circular tanks. Rectangular LED lights align with the tanks with the lights on the right hanging on the wall, and those to the left hanging from a metal structure secured to the ceiling. — An aerial view of the new recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) operating at the NOAA James J. Howard Lab. This system features the three main tanks, seawater plumbing, and adjustable LED lights on either side. This lab will be used to study sustainable aquaculture techniques.

Food security, or knowing where our food will come from, is a growing concern as the human population increases. Aquaculture is a method to grow fish in land-based recirculating systems or in controlled open-water containment areas. Aquaculture can increase food security and support wild fish markets. Understanding the factors that affect fish growth and health is key to sustainably raising fish. We are working with Manna Fish Farms and Stonybrook University to study productive and sustainable ways to raise finfish in our region. This project and our other research helps inform and benefit the aquaculture industry.

Pollution Impacts on Fish Health and Reproduction

Girl with brown hair holds two rectangular glass slides up. Below her is a white box filled with more glass slides. All the slides have violet, amorphous shapes on them. The girl pensively looks at the two slides in her hands. — College intern Jenna Stanley decides which fish organ cross section to analyze next. Using a light microscope and computer software, she will take pictures of the organ’s cells to analyze for health anomalies.

Industrial waste is an ongoing problem in our urban waterways and is harmful to wildlife. We study the effects of industrial pollution on fish health. Understanding these effects helps managers prevent pollution, clean up, and restore polluted rivers. By protecting our waterways, these studies help protect New Jersey's fish populations. We work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Ocean Service. We study the environmental impacts of Superfund sites on fish populations in the Lower Passaic River, New Jersey. From studies in Newark Bay and the Elizabeth River to the Superfund sites, our research supports the future of fish and other wildlife in our waters.

Ocean Acidification

A white room filled with cylindrical tanks lined up in two rows. Each tank is filled with water and larval fish. A man on the right bends over an open tank and peers into it with a yellow flashlight in hand. There are pipes and tubes connecting the tanks throughout the room. — Using a flashlight, scientist Ehren Habeck monitors flounder larvae. This is one setup used by Howard Lab staff to assess damages from ocean acidification.

Use of fossil fuels, like gasoline, coal, and natural gas, contributes to climate change by creating more carbon dioxide. As carbon dioxide increases, it mixes into the ocean water and raises its acidity. This increase harms marine life. We study how these changes affect the survival and growth of the most sensitive early life stages of fish. This can help us anticipate future damage to fish populations, assess their resiliency, and better manage future ecosystems.

Environmental DNA

A large rounded tank is fitted with several rectangular glass viewing windows. Torpedo shaped blue fish swim around the tank with their reflections bouncing off the surface layer of the water. — Bluefish swim around the Howard Lab’s 32,000 gallon research aquarium during an experiment.

Fish shed DNA into the water around them from their skin, slime, scales, and waste. The DNA collected in water or soil samples is called environmental DNA (eDNA). This eDNA provides information about the kind of fish and other living organisms recently found in our waters. Collecting and studying environmental DNA is an efficient way for scientists to monitor marine life. In combination with traditional surveys, eDNA fills knowledge gaps for areas and species that were previously hard to monitor. We use eDNA to study marine life responses to climate change. This research can better inform ocean management decisions and help protect our marine resources.

We conduct this science with local, regional, and national collaborators including: