News and Announcements | NOAA Fisheries

Hatcheries Yield More Salmon for Endangered Killer Whales; New Analysis Open for Comment

NOAA Fisheries seeks review of an analysis of methods to help the Southern Resident killer whale population. Southern Resident Connections - Post 33

January 25, 2024 - Feature Story ,

West Coast

Credit: Shutterstock

NOAA Fisheries Announces Recreational Fishing Data Collection Priorities for 2024

This plan underscores our continuous commitment to re-evaluate and update our large-scale surveys as well as strengthen the state-regional-federal data collection partnership.

January 24, 2024 - Feature Story ,

National

Evening fishing in the Pacific Islands.

NOAA Announces Confirmed Large Whale Entanglement Numbers in 2022

There were 67 large whale entanglement cases in 2022—a slight decrease from 2021, and slightly below the historical average.

January 22, 2024 - Feature Story ,

Alaska

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Pacific Islands

Southeast

West Coast

National

Large whale entanglement responders attemot to free an entangled minke whale. One responder is in the bow of the boat and holding the control line while another use a dive mask to better visualize the entanglement configuration.

Responders from the Center for Coastal Studies work to free an entangled minke whale on June 29, 2022. The animal was anchored in place after the whale had bitten down on a 20-pot trawl line. The team was able to cut the buoy line near the whale’s mouth, and the fisherman was able to recover the gear. Credit: Center for Coastal Studies; NOAA Permit No. 18786

Closure of 2022 Maine Pinniped Unusual Mortality Event

The Unusual Mortality Event involving stranded harbor and gray seals along the coast of Maine has ended.

January 16, 2024 - Feature Story ,

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Marine Mammals of Maine take nasal swabs from a harbor seal for HPAI testing. Credit: Marine Mammals of Maine

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Issues a Fishery Disaster Determination for the Squaxin Island Tribe Salmon Fishery

NOAA Fisheries will provide guidance on the development of applications for federal financial assistance.

January 12, 2024 - Feature Story ,

West Coast

National

Close-up of two chum salmon at the bottom of murky water. Can see rocks below the fish.

Chum salmon. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Unsettled Pacific Ocean Offers Few Clear Indicators for Salmon Success in 2024

Surveys off Oregon find mixed signals for temperatures, prey off Oregon.

January 11, 2024 - Feature Story ,

West Coast

Acoustically tagged and untagged juvenile Chinook salmon ready to be released from a net pen to begin their ocean migration.

Documenting the Elusive North Pacific Right Whale

North Atlantic right whales get a lot of attention. In this episode, we learn a little about their lesser known West Coast cousins: North Pacific right whales, whose numbers are dramatically low.

January 11, 2024 - Podcast ,

Alaska

West Coast

North Pacific right whale. Credit: Brenda K. Rone

Ox Creek Restoration Key to Environmental Justice in Benton Harbor, Michigan

To revitalize Benton Harbor, NOAA is helping to restore an urban waterway damaged by decades of industrial pollution, storm water runoff, and neglect.

January 11, 2024 - Feature Story ,

New England/Mid-Atlantic