Arctic marine animals are ecosystem sentinels

Because the Arctic is constantly on the see dramatic declines in periodic ocean ice, warming temps and elevated storminess, the reactions of marine animals can offer clues to the way the ecosystem is reacting to those physical motorists.

Closes, walruses and polar bears depend on periodic ocean ice for habitat and should adjust to the sudden lack of ice, while migratory species for example whales seem to be finding new prey, changing migration timing and moving to new habitats.

"Marine animals can behave as ecosystem sentinels simply because they react to global warming through changes in distribution, timing of the actions and feeding locations," stated Sue Moore, Ph.D., a NOAA oceanographer, who spoke today in the annual meeting from the American Association for that Growth of Science in Chicago. "These lengthy-resided animals also reflect changes towards the ecosystem within their changes in diet, body condition and health.Inch

Moore, who had been a part of a panel of U.S. and Canadian researchers on the healthiness of marine animals and indigenous individuals the Arctic, stressed the significance of integrating marine mammal health research in to the overall climate, weather, oceanographic and social science research on alterations in the Arctic.

"Marine animals connect individuals to ecosystem research by which makes it highly relevant to individuals who reside in the Arctic and rely on these animals for diet and cultural heritage and individuals all over the world who turn to these creatures as indicating the global health," Moore stated.

Cite This Site:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Arctic marine animals are ecosystem sentinels." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 Feb 2014. .National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2014, Feb 13). Arctic marine animals are ecosystem sentinels. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 19, 2014 from world wide web.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140213153534.htmNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Arctic marine animals are ecosystem sentinels." ScienceDaily. world wide web.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140213153534.htm (utilized April 19, 2014).

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Major cutbacks in seafloor marine existence from global warming by 2100

New research quantifies the very first time future deficits in deep-ocean marine existence, using advanced climate models. Results reveal that the most remote deep-ocean environments aren't protected from the impacts of global warming.

An worldwide team of researchers predict seafloor dwelling marine existence will decline by as much as 38 percent within the North Atlantic and also over five percent globally within the next century. These changes is going to be driven by a decrease in the plants and creatures living at the top of oceans that feed deep-ocean towns. Consequently, ecosystem services for example fishing is going to be threatened.

Within the study, brought through the National Oceanography Center, they used the most recent suite of climate models to calculate alterations in food around the world oceans. Then they applied rapport between food and biomass calculated from the huge global database of marine existence.

The outcomes from the study are released now within the scientific journal Global Change Biology.

These alterations in seafloor towns are required despite living normally four kms under the top of sea. It is because their meal source, the remains of surface sea marine existence that sink towards the seafloor, will dwindle due to a loss of nutrient availability. Nutrient supplies are affected due to climate impacts like a slowing down from the global sea circulation, in addition to elevated separation between water public -Known as 'stratification' -- consequently of warmer and rainier weather.

Lead author Dr Daniel Johnson states: "There's been some speculation about global warming impacts around the seafloor, but we would have liked to make statistical forecasts of these changes and estimate particularly where they'd occur.

"I was expecting some negative changes all over the world, however the extent of changes, especially in the North Atlantic, were staggering. Globally we're speaking about deficits of marine existence weighing greater than everyone in the world come up with.Inch

The forecasted alterations in marine existence aren't consistent around the globe, but many areas are experiencing negative change. Over 80 percent of recognized key habitats -- for example cold-water barrier reefs, seamounts and canyons -- are affected deficits as a whole biomass. Case study also forecasts that creatures can get more compact. More compact creatures often use energy less effectively, therefore affecting seabed fisheries and exacerbating the results from the overall declines in available food.

The research was funded through the Natural Atmosphere Research Council (NERC) included in the Marine Environment Mapping Programme (MAREMAP), and involved scientists in the National Oceanography Center, the Memorial College of Newfoundland, Canada, the College of Tasmania, and also the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et p l'Environnement, France.

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Tortugas marine reserve yields more, larger fish

February 4, 2013

Populations of commercially important species like the red grouper increased in the Tortugas region following the closure of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary's Tortugas Ecological Reserve. 

Download here (Credit:NOAA)

A new NOAA research report finds that both fish populations and commercial and recreational anglers have benefited from “no-take” protections in the Tortugas Ecological Reserve in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

The report, “An Integrated Biogeographic Assessment of Reef Fish Populations and Fisheries in Dry Tortugas: Effects of No-take Reserves,” is the first to evaluate how the 151-square nautical mile Tortugas Ecological Reserve affects the living marine resources of the region and the people whose livelihoods are connected to them.

The report’s analysis of long-term socioeconomic and scientific information found that after the ecological reserve was designated in 2001:

Overfished species such as black and red grouper, yellowtail and mutton snapper increased in presence, abundance and size inside the reserve and throughout the region;Annual gatherings of spawning mutton snapper, once thought to be wiped out from overfishing, began to reform inside the Reserve; Commercial catches of reef fish in the region increased, and continue to do so; andNo financial losses were experienced by regional commercial or recreational fishers;
“The findings in this report are good news for NOAA management efforts to enhance fisheries and other natural resources in the Florida Keys,” said Holly Bamford, Ph. D., NOAA assistant administrator for the National Ocean Service. “The results are equally important in other areas where NOAA science provides support to management decisions that are made to best utilize and protect our natural resources.”

To assess economic effects of the area closure, social scientists from NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and University of Massachusetts analyzed catch landings and revenues from commercial fishers (reef fish, shrimp, spiny lobster and king mackerel) and surveyed recreational fishing guides operating within the Tortugas region before and for five years after reserve protection.

“This research shows that marine reserves and economically viable fishing industries can coexist,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “The health of our economy is tied to the health of our oceans. They are not mutually exclusive.”

Key West commercial fishery landings had an estimated value of $56 million in 2011, up from $40 million in 2001, according to NOAA’s Fisheries of the United States reports. Ocean recreation and tourism support approximately 33,000 jobs in the Florida Keys.

Contributors to the report also included researchers from NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and University of Miami.

The 151-square nautical mile Tortugas Ecological Reserve was designated by the Florida Keys sanctuary in 2001, and its design involved extensive collaboration between commercial and recreational fishermen, divers, scientists, conservationists, citizens-at-large and resource managers. The reserve is closed to all consumptive use, including fishing and anchoring, and a portion of it is open to permitted marine researchers only.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadows, mangrove communities and sand flats, as well as shipwrecks and maritime heritage resources. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary. Visit us online at floridakeys.noaa.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/floridakeysnoaagov.

The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science is the lead science office for NOAA’s National Ocean Service. Visit us online or follow us via the NOAA Ocean Science Blog.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

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Effects of arctic oil and gas activities on marine mammals and Alaska native communities

NEWS RELEASE
March 21, 2013
Connie Barclay, 301-427-8003 w.

NOAA announced today that it is seeking comments on a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for oil and gas activities in the Arctic Ocean. The draft, developed in collaboration with the Department of the Interior?s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), includes analysis on how a broader range of potential offshore oil and gas activities could affect the environment, with a specific focus on marine mammals and the Alaska Native communities that depend on the animals for food and cultural traditions.

The Obama Administration?s priority is ensuring that any development activities in the Arctic take place responsibly and will hold any future activities to the highest standards.

The environmental review addresses potential effects from both exploratory drilling and geological and geophysical (G&G) surveys, such as seismic surveys, in the Chuchki and Beaufort seas. After releasing the initial draft environmental impact statement for public comment in December 2011, NOAA and BOEM broadened the scope of analysis in light of comments from stakeholders. The initial EIS analyzed the effects of up to two exploratory drilling programs per year in both the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. The supplemental draft EIS analyzes the effects of up to four drilling programs per year in each area. The revised draft also expands discussion of mitigation measures designed to reduce the effects of offshore oil and gas activities on marine mammals and marine mammal subsistence users.

?We know how important marine mammals are to healthy Arctic ecosystems and the people who depend on them,? said Sam Rauch, deputy assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA?s Fisheries Service. ?NOAA scientists are working hard to learn as much as we can about how oil and gas activities impact marine mammals. We will continue to work with our partners to develop and put into place strong mitigation measures that will help lessen the impacts of these and other activities in our oceans.?

The supplemental draft EIS looks at measures NOAA could adopt when issuing incidental take authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The act provides for the incidental and unintentional take of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens, if these actions will have only a negligible effect on the species and will not reduce the availability of the marine mammals to the Alaska natives who rely on them. As part of its supplemental analysis, NOAA examined various measures to minimize potential harmful effects from sound, accidental discharge of pollutants including oil, and the presence of vessels that will be part of these oil and gas operations, such as closing areas to exploration during whale migration and feeding and during traditional whale and seal hunts.

The supplemental draft, which builds on the earlier draft EIS, is available for comment for 60 days, through Tuesday, May 28. NOAA will also host a series of public meetings during the week of April 8, 2013, to provide additional opportunities for comment. More information is available on the NOAA Fisheries website.

NOAA will incorporate public comments and any new information received during the public comment period, and expects to issue the final EIS in early 2014. NOAA will use the final EIS to help make decisions concerning incidental take authorizations that allow unintentional take of small numbers of marine mammals during oil and gas exploration activities in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi seas in 2014 and beyond. The EIS will also support BOEM, the agency with jurisdiction over offshore leasing and planning, in making its decisions, pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

You may submit public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal starting Friday, March 29, or by visiting the project page on the Office of Protected Resources website. NOAA?s Fisheries Service will also accept written comments mailed to

Office of Protected Resources
NOAA Fisheries
1315 East West Highway, Rm. 13115
Silver Spring MD 20910

Comments can also be faxed to 301-713-0376, Attn: Candace Nachman.

NOAA Fisheries is the lead agency for the environmental impact statement. BOEM and the North Slope Borough are cooperating agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency is serving as a consulting agency, and NOAA Fisheries is coordinating with the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission as part of the co-management agreement under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

To learn more about NOAA Fisheries in Alaska, visit alaskafisheries.noaa.gov or www.afsc.noaa.gov.

? News Releases | Fisheries Information Bulletins

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Eleven marine debris removal projects to share $967,000 in NOAA grants

September 4, 2013

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources will continue organizing cleanups to remove debris from beaches in Kaho'olawe.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

NOAA’s Marine Debris Program announced today that it provided $967,000 through NOAA’s Restoration Center to support locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention and removal projects. Eleven groups across the country received funding to remove derelict fishing nets, litter, lumber, tires and other harmful marine debris from shorelines and coastal waters.

“Marine debris plagues coastlines all over the country, and these communities have the expertise and motivation to address it,” said Nancy Wallace, Marine Debris Program director. “We are proud to support them as they work to mitigate impacts and address the damage marine debris has caused.”

The projects typically last for 24 months and create long-term ecological improvements for coastal habitat, waterways and wildlife, including migratory fish.

The projects were chosen from a pool of 46 applications submitted by non-governmental organizations, tribes, academia and local government agencies. The combined request from all applications totaled nearly $5 million, demonstrating the widespread need to address marine debris across the country. With this program, NOAA has funded 76 marine debris removal projects and removed more than 3,800 metric tons of marine debris from our oceans and Great Lakes since 2006.

This year’s projects include:

Alabama: The Dauphin Island Sea Lab will remove derelict vessels and address habitat impairment in the Dog River Watershed in Mobile. ($99,766) Alaska: The Alaska Marine Stewardship Foundation will conduct marine debris cleanups in five communities in the Bering Sea: Port Heiden, Nelson Lagoon, Nikolski, St. George and Savoonga. ($210,000) The Sitka Sound Science Center will perform cleanups of tsunami debris from Japan that impacted Alaskan coastlines. ($120,000) California: The Wiyot Tribe of the Humboldt Bay region will remove large marine debris from the within bay and on Indian Island, a National Historic Landmark known for its importance as the site of the Wiyot World Renewal ceremony. ($125,000)Florida: The Coastal Cleanup Corporation will remove plastics, glass, Styrofoam, rubber and discarded fishing gear from sea turtle nesting sites within Biscayne National Park. ($16,953) Hawaii: The Hawaii Wildlife Fund will continue its work to remove marine debris from the shoreline of Big Island of Hawaii, focusing on the Ka‘u coast. ($45,000) The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources will remove debris from Kaho‘olawe. ($100,530) New York: Hofstra University will remove debris from one of the last remaining natural salt marshes in Nassau County, in collaboration with Long Beach School District and Town of Hempstead. ($75,000) North Carolina: The North Carolina Coastal Federation will implement a pilot program working with commercial fishermen to remove derelict crab pots and repurpose them as artificial oyster reefs. ($35,576)Puerto Rico: The Corporation for The Conservation of The San Juan Bay Estuary will remove litter from Condado Lagoon, one of two natural lagoons in Puerto Rico. ($40,000) Washington: The Northwest Straits Foundation will continue its longstanding efforts to remove derelict fishing nets from Puget Sound and surrounding marine waters. ($99,995)

NOAA’s Restoration Center is now accepting applications for the next funding cycle and applications are due November 1. For more information, visit http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/funding/marinedebris.html.

NOAA’s Marine Debris Program leads national efforts to research, prevent and reduce the impacts of marine debris. Its staff, which is positioned across the country, supports marine debris projects in partnership with state and local agencies, tribes, non-governmental organizations, academia and industry. The program also spearheads national research efforts and works to change behavior in the public through outreach and education initiatives. For more information, visit www.marinedebris.noaa.gov.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

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