A NESCB e-Publication:
Current Conservation Issues in New England
Author: Laurie Allen
July 7, 1999
Northeast Region Marine Mammal Coordinator
National Marine Fisheries Service
(1) Fisheries Bycatch
Fisheries bycatch is an issue for all marine species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) including small and large cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sea turtles.
Marine mammals: Currently, significant efforts at bycatch reduction are being pursued for Atlantic large whales, Harbor porpoise, and offshore cetaceans. This is a result of the 1994 amendments to the MMPA, establishing a take reduction process and teams to deal with the incidental take of marine mammals in commercial fisheries that were exceeding levels that would allow populations to reach optimum levels, the ultimate goal of the MMPA. All of these teams independently came toward generally similar strategies. In addition to the usual time/area closure components, teams evaluated gear modification options or modifications to fishing methods in order to prevent an interaction in the first place or, should an interaction occur, reduce the potential that a marine mammal would be seriously injured or killed a result.
For harbor porpoise, acoustical devices are currently required in the Gulf of Maine. However, several issues related to their use are still under research and review. For example, the current required pinger frequency may be attractive to seals, prompting investigation into other frequencies that will work on porpoise but not attract seals which will probably be pursued after the results of the first six months of plan implementation are reviewed this fall. Potential environmental affects of widespread pinger use is being investigated (Richard Merrick, Dave Potter NEFSC/Laurie Allen NERO). In addition, a joint US/Canada DFO (Ed Trippel/ Jerry Conway)-NMFS (Allen/Merrick) guided experiment by Atlantic Gillnet Supply (Don King/Norman Holy Gloucester) on acoustically reflective gillnet material will occur in the BOF this summer.
For bottlenose dolphin, a unique mid-Atlantic observer program has been established to deal with problems deploying observers in the coastal fishery where often they cannot be accommodated. The use of alternative platforms to observe fishers is underway. Work continues on genetic differentiation of coastal and offshore stock components (Steve Swartz/Aleta Hohn).
Turtles: The largest incidental catches are associated with the NE distant longline fishery, also significant bycatch in Mid Atlantic trawl and gillnet fisheries, often in more coastal inshore areas than the marine mammal interactions in state waters, but in similar areas as marine mammals in the EEZ. Longline bycatch is predominantly leatherbacks and loggerheads. Leatherbacks are most often snagged in appendages or entangled, while loggerheads often swallow the hook. Post hooking survivorship for turtles that swallow the hook is largely unknown. A satellite tracking study is being done with the longline fishery in Hawaii to evaluate survival (George Balaz, NMFS Hawaii). In addition, a workshop was held in the Azores (the fishery is less distant than US fishery and easier to conduct enough trials for statistical significance on various gear modifications) to develop a research plan for gear research. This summer the first few items are being tested (hook type, depth etc) (NMFS -Barbara Schroeder). Molly Lutcavage of the New England Aquarium has an ongoing leatherback tagging project to look at distribution of leatherbacks in relation to the pelagic fishery and compare to environmental parameters to attempt a model.
Leatherbacks also become entangled in lobster pot buoys quite frequently, depending on how far down they become entangled, drowning can be an issue. The USCG does entangle quite a few every year. A workshop was held in Fall of 1998 to have experts brainstorm on what needs to be done for leatherback conservation and recovery in the NER to guide the NMFS management program.
(2) Issues other than bycatch
Marine Mammals: Implementation Team Activities (Testaverde) is where issues other than bycatch are being addressed for large whales, focusing on habitat and ship strike. A Habitat workshop was held last fall to provide direction of research (Phil Clapham). Voluntary meetings with shippers have occurred on numerous occasions and progress is being made on educating them on the issues (Bruce Russell-IFAW). Section 7 consultations are in progress for all federal agencies that operate vessels in RTW waters to implement measures to reduce potential for ship strike (NMFS-Scott Sandorf/Allen).
Sea Turtles: The State of Massachusetts through Sec 6 is starting a loggerheads habitat use study in Cape Cod Bay. This is primarily to evaluate the use of the Bay in order to guide mitigation and other measures in Section 7 consultation or dredging and outfall type projects (Allen/French). In addition, NE developmental habitats (Long Island Sound, Cape Cod Bay, Chesapeake and Delaware Bays) for turtles are key (Stephen Morreale-Cornell University/Allen) and there is increased concern over the northern nesting assemblage (sub-population) which appear to be in a decline. Genetic work is also underway to help delineate what turtles belong to what nesting assemblage (Schroeder/Sheryann Epperly (SEFSC)).
Turtles are subject to other hazards hampering recovery in the North East besides fisheries; these include dredging and disposal operations. Turtles are subject to entrainment in hopper dredges (large, fast moving hydraulic machines) that are used in all kinds of operations, from channel dredging to boat dock construction and power plant intakes. Turtles are also often killed by small power boats (Allen).
In addition, all the hard shelled turtles (leatherbacks are the only turtles able to thermoregulate to some extent) are subject to hypothermia and hundreds of them strand annually on NE beaches when water temperatures turn cold. NEAq has established a special hospital to revive and rehabilitate cold-stun turtles and are increasing their success rate. Riverhead Foundation (Kim Durham) in NY and Mystic Aquarium in CT (Bob Nawojchik) also revive as many of these as possible. MA, NY, NJ and CT are the areas that receive the most cold-stun animals.
Bycatch reduction efforts are through Section 7 of the ESA for federal waters and some through ESA regulation (requiring use of TEDs in trawlers in NC and VA). In addition, ESA Section 6 Cooperative Agreements with States (there are three in the NE) helps states develop useful conservation and recovery efforts in state waters (development of conservation plans, increased stranding and rehab/response, etc.).
ESA sea turtle recovery plans are due for review (they are more than 5 years old) and both FWS and NMFS are currently evaluating options for reviewing and updating those plans.
Shortnose sturgeon activities:
Some key players for shortnose sturgeon:
Atlantic sturgeon:
Some key players for Atlantic sturgeon:
Atlantic Salmon:
Issues related to status review, listing/no list decision are quite complex; the following are a few of the issues:
Some key players for Atlantic salmon: