Essential Data Acquisition: Regional Activities
We are conducting critical data collection and delivery projects in regions across America to advance our science and management mission.
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We recently received a $107.5 million investment to accelerate our data collection and delivery capabilities under the Inflation Reduction Act. To best support our communities, we focused on projects at the regional level; some projects cover multiple regions.
This work is part of $1.27 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding we received to support America’s marine resources, coastal communities, and economies in the face of climate change.
Alaska
Ice-Associated Seal Research ($936,000)
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During summer 2024, our researchers collected data on four species of ice-associated seals in Alaska:
By tracking the movements and health of these seal populations, we can better understand how they may be affected by changes in the Arctic, such as reduced sea ice.
AI-Driven Data Collection ($634,000)
We are developing a cost-effective and reliable data collection method using AI-driven web tools. This will allow us to gather information from Alaska charter and for-hire recreational fishing websites. It will help track industry changes over time along with shifting climate, environmental, economic, and management conditions.
Pacific Islands
Guam Bottomfish Fishery-Independent Survey ($2 Million)
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We are improving our data acquisition enterprise in underserved Pacific Islands jurisdictions. This includes partnering with local fishers to pilot a fishery-independent survey. The Guam Bottomfish Fishery-Independent Survey focuses on:
- Local species key to food security and subsistence fishing
- Traditional practices and celebrations
- Commercial fishing
We need this data, along with Indigenous and local ecological knowledge, for long-term resource protection and sustainable fishing. This is particularly crucial for island communities that are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Green Sea Turtle and Monk Seal Research ($1.5 Million)
We deployed charter vessels to collect data for our annual Hawaiian monk seal and green sea turtle population assessment in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
We also conduct life-saving interventions such as disentangling seals, reuniting seal pups with mothers, and assisting turtles that become trapped in hazards such as deteriorated seawalls.
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Cloud-Based Decision Support Tool ($1.3 Million)
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Our social science researchers partnered with fisheries managers to develop a cloud-based decision support tool.
It lets managers assess potential species-specific regulations, such as size limits and season lengths, to meet annual conservation goals while maximizing angler benefits. The tool supports recreational fisheries managers of these Mid-Atlantic species:
The tool will help fisheries managers systematically analyze management tradeoffs and enhance decision-making processes. This will also help to best align angler needs with conservation objectives.
Southeast
AI and Automated Optics Analysis ($7.4 Million)
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We are using artificial intelligence and automated optics analysis to support key surveys, such as the Southeast Fishery Independent Survey, which focuses on reef fish.
We will apply this framework to additional regions and species, including a coral identification framework planned for fiscal year 2025.
Research Vessel Purchase ($1.4 Million)
We purchased a research vessel to increase our efficiency and effectiveness at sea. The vessel will accelerate how we collect research data for mission-critical fisheries in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico).
West Coast
Cetacean Survey ($2.3 Million)
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We are collecting data on cetaceans—whales, dolphins, and porpoises—to update our stock assessments. The survey began in late July 2024 and will continue through December 2024, covering the entire U.S. West Coast.
The main objective is to collect key species data using visual line-transect surveys, in which observers count species along predetermined paths in the ocean.
This survey can help make predictions about how environmental changes like ocean warming will impact marine life. The long-term data will also help identify areas of biological importance and inform government agencies about potential environmental impacts on wildlife.
Supplementary Glider for the California Current Marine Mammal Assessment Survey ($1.5 Million)
We deployed a glider in September 2024 to supplement the ship-based California Current marine mammal assessment survey. This was implemented in conjunction with the passive acoustic strategic initiative.
Environmental DNA and ‘Omics ($908,000)
We have been collecting environmental DNA samples on Pacific hake surveys since 2019. We are analyzing data from these samples to determine whether marine mammals and other species of interest not typically sampled are present in the survey region.
The overall focus of this project is to integrate environmental DNA with existing data to improve stock assessments. Advancing ‘omics technology and infrastructure will allow us to obtain critical data more efficiently and at a lower cost.
Multi-Region
Passive Acoustic Monitoring ($6.5 Million)
We are accelerating the transition to glider surveys for passive acoustic monitoring of whales on the West Coast and in the Pacific Islands. We are also developing a research to operations plan in these regions for passive acoustic monitoring gliders.
Gliders and other uncrewed systems will supplement and in some cases may replace ship-based surveys, which will reduce ship time needs.
We are also proposing a joint uncrewed systems survey in the Hawaiian Islands.
EcoCast+ ($1.5 Million)
We are building on our existing EcoCast tool by developing EcoCast+. This is a tool that can help fishers and managers optimize the harvest of target species while minimizing bycatch. Our focus is to expand the use of this tool to multiple regions, starting with the Pacific Islands and the Southeast.
Geospatial AI for Animals ($450,000)
We are using geospatial intelligence for animals to monitor the number and location of protected species in multiple regions. We will use these data to update stock assessments for these species. We are collecting data on:
- Cook Inlet beluga whales in Alaska
- Rice’s whales in the Southeast
- Humpback and gray whales on the West Coast
- Southern Resident killer whales in the Northwest
- Seals and turtles in the Pacific Islands