Active Forum Topics

Read the recent article in the Christian Science Monitor featuring NEAq researchers and fishermen from the Massachusett's South Shore on our science-industry collaborative project to evaluate hale-release rope for reducing whale entanglements incidence and severity: https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2017/0417/How-a-better-rope-could…

West coast whale entanglements are hitting historical highs, prompting government agencies, fishermen, researchers, and NGOs to collaborate in finding ways to reduce them. Werner and McCarron shared their perspectives through invited talks and discussions during the March 29-20, 2017 workshop in Portland, Oregon, organized by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. A list of workshop outputs and other documents is available at http://www.psmfc.org/crab/

A recent scientific publication in Marine Mammal Science of research supported by the Bycatch Consortium provides evidence that the visual detection ability of North Atlantic right whales is consistent with the transmission spectra of its primary prey, the copepod Calanus finmarchicus. Light radiance, which is necessary for these monochromat whales to visually perceive these copepods, did not appear high enough to support visual detection at all locations where it was measured.

This news item from CBC reports on the tragic death of five right whales all from the Gulf of St. Lawrence over the past few weeks. Canadian and US scientists are working in collaboration to document the event and determine the cause of death.

http://http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/six-dead-right-whales-1.4176832

Press Release:

Feces collected from entangled North Atlantic right whales reveals ‘sky-high’ stress levels

Endangered Species Research journal publishes pioneering whale feces research; also being used to investigate high numbers of deaths this summer

Here is a link to the full article, which ran on February 19, 2018: "Canada to introduce mandatory reporting of whale interactions this year" 

Expression of Interest

We are seeking proposals to develop a 3/8” diameter endline with 1700lb virgin breaking strength that is comparable to those currently used in northwest Atlantic lobster pot fisheries. The concept is to use a rope that is practical for many pot fisheries while facilitating escape should whales come into contact with them. Innovative “whale-release” ropes should be developed according to the specifications provided below.

Lenfest and the UW Modeling Forum have officially launched a new working group to assess scientific tools, data sets, and methods in order to evaluate the rates and impacts of bycatch on marine mammals. The working group will meet four times over 2018 and 2019, with its first meeting on May 16 – May 18 in Seattle, WA. Here are online materials:

• download the new project handout;

The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium, in collaboration with the Global Bycatch Exchange and the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support capacity building in developing countries for reducing marine mammal bycatch. More information

A collaboration between our fishing gear team, offshore lobster fishermen, and engineers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Insitution, received one of 14 national grants awarded under NOAA's Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP). 

Project Title: Testing a ropeless fishing prototype for eliminating large whale entanglements in pot fishing gear

The Global Bycatch Exchange is pleased to announce the first round of grantees for the Global Fund for Marine Mammal Bycatch Solutions   

Grant Recipient: Green Balkans

Project Location: Bulgaria

Project Title: BLACK SEA HARBOUR PORPOISE (Phocoena phocoena relicta) BYCATCH MITIGATION IN THE BULGARIAN WATERS OF THE BLACK SEA

Grant Award: $24,000

With support from NOAA-Fisheries, we are pleased to announce that new applications for funding are being accepted. Project support is based on availability of funds, which will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for the most competitive proposals. To apply, please see: https://www.bycatch.org/content/funding-opportunities

Three projects in West Africa and Argentina will receive funding to document and mitigate marine mammal bycatch.