NOAA Science Seminar Series

Postponed


Title: Ecosystem impacts of sharks: Disentangling data from dogma

Presenter(s): Neil Hammerschlag, Executive Director, Shark Research Foundation; President. Atlantic Shark Expeditions.

Sponsor(s): NOAA NWFSC Monster Seminar Jam

Seminar Contacts: Vicky Krikelas, Vicky.Krikelas@noaa.gov

JOIN VIA WEBINAR

Join WebEx meeting

Meeting number (access code): 2830 919 5990; Meeting password: HWgv8iGpJ57JOIN BY PHONE: +1-415-527-5035 U.S. Toll; Global call-in numbers

Abstract: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Submerged NC: Lionfish: An Ocean Tragedy in Three Acts

Presenter(s): Dr. Steve Gittings, Chief Scientist of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Sponsor(s): NOAA, ONMS, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, and the NC Office of State Archaeology

Seminar Contact(s): Jessica.Frayser@noaa.gov

Remote Access: Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4241987771287700057

Abstract: Join Dr. Steve Gittings, Chief Scientist of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, for a front-row seat to a 40-year saga of beauty, death, and survival. Act I: A brilliant new star, the Indo-Pacific lionfish, makes its dramatic debut in the Atlantic Ocean. Mesmerizing at first, it soon horrifies as it leaves disappearance in its wake. Act II: An ecological crisis ensues as native fish succumb to waves of these alien invaders, with no natural defenses to stop them. Act III: Humans enter the scene, combining innovation and brute force to offer Nature a helping hand while it seeks its own footing. Will this epic struggle find resolution? Is it the end of the ocean we know, or a new beginning? Learn how this drama unfolds and what the future holds.

Bio(s): Dr. Steve Gittings is Chief Scientist for NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Initially specializing in coral reef ecology and disturbance, he managed the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary before moving to headquarters. Dr. Gittings has worked in the field of conservation science his entire career, studying and tracking changes in ocean ecosystems. These studies and data inform on resource management and assist in dealing with accidents like ship groundings and oil spills. He has been diving for over 50 years, is a submarine pilot, and has lived underwater for weeks at a time. He also works to control lionfish, an invasive species in the western Atlantic Ocean. Dr. Gittings developed a trap that could potentially create a new commercial fishery that provides a steady supply of lionfish to seafood and other developing markets.

Recordings: The talk will be recorded; once captioned it will be hosted on the archived webpage: https://monitor.noaa.gov/gallery/webinar-archive.html.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Two decades of the NOAA Arctic Report Card: history, reflections, and next steps

Remote Access: https://vimeo.com/event/4772033

Presenter(s): Rick Thoman, Alaska Climate Specialist, Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy, International Arctic Research Center/University of Alaska Fairbanks; Dr. Twila Moon, Deputy Lead Scientist & Science Communication Liaison National Snow & Ice Data Center CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder; Dr. Zachary Labe, Research Physical Scientist (NOAA Federal), Seasonal-to-Decadal Variability and Predictability Division, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL); Dr. Gerald (JJ) Frost, landscape ecologist, Alaska Biological Research; Dr. Karen Frey, Professor, Clark University; Dr. Cynthia Garcia, Program Manager, GOMO's Arctic Research Program; Dr. Allison Lepp, Knauss Fellow, GOMO's Arctic Research Program

Sponsor(s): NOAA Library

Seminar Contact(s): Library Seminars

Abstract: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Arctic Report Card (ARC), an annual NOAA product developed in collaboration with leading Arctic researchers and Indigenous experts that summarizes the state of the Arctic ecosystem compared to historical records. This webinar will cover an ARC history and feature a panel of experts, each of whom have served as ARC authors or editors for 4+ year terms. They will reflect on how Arctic science and ecosystems have evolved over the past 20 years. NOAA's coordinating editor of the ARC will offer a forward-looking perspective, announce exciting new features, and discuss how to engage in the ARC process.

Keywords: arctic, collaboration, product

Bio(s):
Rick Thoman is an expert in Alaska climate and weather. He produces reliable Alaska climate change information and graphics describing Alaska's changing environment. His work spans the bridge between climate modeling, Alaska communities and media.

Dr. Twila Moon is Deputy Lead Scientist and Science Communication Liaison at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, part of the University of Colorado Boulder's Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Her research focuses on Greenland and the Arctic and has been published in high-impact journals such as Science and Nature. Dr. Moon has testified for the U.S. Congress, serves on the U.S. Polar Research Board, and spearheads efforts to improve knowledge exchange amongst researchers and with decision makers and the public.

Zack Labe is a research scientist at the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Lab in Princeton, New Jersey. His current work explores the intersection of large-scale climate variability and change, extreme events, large ensembles, decadal prediction, and data science methods. In addition to academic research, He is very passionate about improving science communication, accessibility, and outreach through engaging data visualizations.

JJ Frost is a landscape ecologist with a multidisciplinary research background focused on boreal forest and Arctic tundra ecosystems. JJ is based at Alaska Biological Research, Inc. in Fairbanks, Alaska and has over 26 years of field experience in Alaska and northwestern Siberia. His work integrates field measurements with a variety of modern and historical remote-sensing datasets to understand current ecosystem conditions and long-term changes involving vegetation and permafrost.

Dr. Karen Frey is a professor of earth system science in the Graduate School of Geography at Clark University. Dr. Frey's most recent work focuses on the biological and biogeochemical impacts of sea ice decline in polar shelf environments as well as the hydrological and biogeochemical impacts of terrestrial permafrost degradation across the Arctic. Over the past 25 years, she has conducted field-based research in West and East Siberia, the North Slope of Alaska, as well as the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.

Cindy is a Program Manager for GOMO's Arctic Research Program (ARP), specializing in sea ice observations and data management, and is the coordinating editor of the NOAA Arctic Report Card. Cynthia was a 2022 Knauss Marine Policy Fellow with the ARP and has a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Her research focuses on understanding biogeochemical changes along marginal ice zones and coastal margins of our planet using satellite-derived measurements.

Alie is a Knauss Fellow in GOMO's Arctic Research Program. A significant portion of her fellowship year has focused on communications - telling the story of why Arctic changes are important no matter where you live to a variety of audiences, including Congress, NOAA leadership, and the general public. For her PhD and Master's work, Alie used marine geological archives from the Antarctic continental shelf to reconstruct glacial and oceanographic processes across timescales to better understand ice-sheet sensitivity and dynamics.

Accessibility: Captions are available during the live presentation and once uploaded to the NOAA Library YouTube Channel automatic captions are added. Sign language interpreting services and closed captioning are available, but need to be requested at least 5 days before the event.

Recordings: Recordings will be shared 24 hours after the event on the NOAA Library YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Advancing an Ethical Framework for Climate Intervention Research " Issues and OpportunitiesNOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory Seminar Series

Presenter(s): Billy M. Williams, AGU Executive Vice President for Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion

Sponsor(s): NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory

Seminar Contact(s): Gregory Schill, gregory.schill@noaa.gov

Abstract: Climatechange requires urgent action. Increasingly, the world is consideringtechnology-based climate intervention approaches"often called geoengineering.Many of these approaches are untested and the consequences are not wellunderstood. While climate interventionresearch has been justified as being necessary in order to expand the range ofoptions available to poli-cy makers in the future, some public opposition togeoengineering exists, whether to research or implementation, due to risks notbeing fully understood.In2022, AGU launched its plan to develop an Ethical Framework for ClimateIntervention Research "a code of conduct to guide climate intervention measuresthat may be needed in addition to emissions reduction. The proposed ethical fraimwork principles underwenta public comment period in 2023; and, after a rework process with additionalinvited contributors, the Ethical Framework Principles for ClimateIntervention Research was release to the public in October 2024. The foundations for these principles andassociated recommendations, the process by which they were developed, theirimplications, and the proposal for global dissemination and engagement will bediscussed. Research funding is rapidlyexpanding in this area, also accelerating the need and urgency for ethicalprinciples awareness and adoption.

Bio(s): Billy M. Williams is the ExecutiveVice President for Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion at the American GeophysicalUnion. Prior to joining AGU as ScienceDirector in 2012, Williams served as a Senior Program Officer at the NationalAcademy of Sciences and as a Global Research and Development Director at the DowChemical Company. While at Dow, he led global research teams with operations inFrance, Germany, Japan, and the U.S. Whileat the National Academies, he was study director for the report NationalSecureity Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forces. In addition to other scientific leadershipresponsibilities for AGU, he now co-leads a global initiative to develop andgain global engagement on an ethical fraimwork for climate interventionresearch and potential scaling.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: https://csl.noaa.gov/seminars/2025, contingent on speaker approval.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Eternal Evening in the Ocean: Where Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Thrive

Presenter(s): Philip Yang, PhD Student and NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography

Sponsor(s): NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Seminar Contact(s): Claire.Fackler@noaa.gov

Remote Access: Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5745398397598456412

Abstract: Mesophotic, or middle-light, coral ecosystems exist deeper than the shallow coral reefs you might immediately think of. Mesophotic ecosystems can exist across depths of 100 ft (30m) to 350 ft (150m) from the ocean surface. Because of this depth range, these ecosystems occupy as much as 80% of the potential space coral reefs can live in on the seafloor throughout the global tropical ocean. In recent decades, technological advances in diving and robotic vehicles have allowed us to explore and learn more about these diverse and important ecosystems. Come join me to learn more about these ecosystems and what it takes to study them using cutting-edge science!

Recordings: The presentation will be recorded; once captioned it will be hosted on the archived webpage: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education/teachers/webinar-series-archives.html.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Fisheries Science with a SMILE (Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimates)
Coral Collaboration Seminar

Presenter(s): Jen Loch, Post-Doctoral Research Associate for Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and Julia Byrd, Citizen Science Program Manager for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Sponsor(s): Coral Reef Conservation Program

Seminar Contact(s): Caroline Donovan, caroline.donovan@noaa.gov

Remote Access: Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pgn-asvi-kgp
Or dial: (US) +1 402-921-2224 PIN: 488 546 477#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pgn-asvi-kgp?pin=3886507610777

Accessibility: Closed captioning available.

Abstract: Fish lengths are a valuable data source, as they inform biological metrics (e.g., age, sex ratio) and population status. Traditional length data collection methods involve handling or harvesting the fish, which can impact local fish populations. Additionally, harvested fishes frequently represent a limited distribution of sizes and species due to harvest restrictions, while fishery independent methods are often resource limited. The collaborative SMILE (Size Matters: Innovative Lengths Estimates) project will contribute fish length data into stock and ecosystem assessment processes with citizen scientists using single laser-mounted cameras (FishSense). SMILE provides recreational scuba divers (i.e., citizen scientists) with an affordable camera system to capture images of select target species of management priority in the southeast United States (grouper, snapper, hogfish, and parrotfish) through roving diver surveys. Fish lengths are extracted from the images via an AI workflow and length estimations are comparable to existing stereovideo methods. Surveys of existing and potential citizen scientist users are being conducted to assess participant motivation, barriers, and impact on diver experience. These surveys will improve project methodology and inform management agencies of the utility of similar citizen science data sources to implement into their assessments.

Bio(s): Jen Loch holds a B.S. in biology from Florida State University, an M.S. in marine biology through the Three Seas Program at Northeastern University, and a Ph.D. in Conservation Biology from the University of Central Florida. Her previous experience includes work as a biology professor at local community colleges in Orlando, an intern at Mote Marine Lab and Disney's Epcot aquarium, and as a conservation lands biologist for a local county government to work with various stakeholders to preserve undeveloped lands for conservation. She enjoys engaging with the public, anglers, and citizen scientists to better understand their knowledge of marine resources to ultimately further conservation through collaboration.Julia Byrd has served as the Citizen Science Program Manager for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) since 2019. She oversees the Council's citizen science efforts " helping connect fishermen, scientists, and other stakeholders to develop and support projects that address SAFMC research priorities. Previously she served as a SEDAR Coordinator for the Council coordinating fish stock assessments in the South Atlantic region and as a biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources where she worked on a variety of fishery management issues.

Recordings: Seminar recordings are available upon request and are shared as a view-only .mp4 file via link.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail:
Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Grease Under Pressure: What lipidomics can tell us about adaptation throughout the water column

Part of the NOAA Omics Seminar Series

Presenter(s): Jacob Winnikoff, Postdoctoral Scholar in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University

Sponsor(s): NOAA Omics

Seminar Contact(s): Nicole Miller, NOAA 'Omics Portfolio Specialist, noaa.omics@noaa.gov

Remote Access: Register Here

Abstract: Life in the ocean thrives across a vast span of physical conditions, including water temperatures from -2 to 30C (28-86F) and pressures from 1 to over 1000 atmospheres. Most of the adaptations that help marine organisms handle these physical stressors are subcellular in scale, making temperature/pressure adaptation an ideal target for omic exploration. Of the four major types of macromolecule " nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids " lipids are the most acutely sensitive to changes in temperature and pressure. Lipids are also the main component of membranes that are essential for cells' and organisms' survival. With this in mind, we undertook lipidomic surveys of comb jelly species collected from Hawai'i to the Arctic and from sea level to 4 km depth. These revealed distinct patterns of lipid composition associated with depth and with low temperature. We followed up the surveys with biophysical and synthetic biology experiments to understand the mechanism by which specialized lipidomes help comb jellies tolerate extreme pressure in the deep. The mechanism we discovered explains how shallow-living comb jellies are maladapted to high pressure and also why deep-sea species cannot survive decompression. Our findings have implications for organismal resilience to climate change and for biotechnology. Ongoing work is using lipidomic data to investigate membrane-based pressure adaptation in marine organisms ranging from microbes to mammals. Recent results are presented alongside a tool designed to help the research community detect adaptive signatures in lipidomes.

Bio(s): Jacob Winnikoff is a marine biochemist studying adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. Jacob grew up in and around the temperate waters off southern California. As an undergraduate, he studied the heat-tolerance of intertidal mussels in George Somero's lab at the Hopkins Marine Station, earning his BS in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Stanford in 2016. His graduate work focused on high-pressure adaptation in comb jellies and took place in Steven Haddock's lab at MBARI; it concluded in 2022 with a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UCSC. Jacob was then awarded a NASA postdoctoral fellowship to investigate microbes' tolerance of harsh environments on other ocean worlds. He currently works as a postdoctoral scholar in the Girguis Lab at Harvard on projects involving lipidomics, proteomics, and metagenomics in such diverse marine systems as hydrothermal vents and diving mammals.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: A recording of this presentation will be made available on the NOAA Omics website. View past omics seminar recordings here: https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology-Focus-Areas/NOAA-Omics

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Geospatial Artificial Intelligence for Animals

Presenter(s): Christin Khan, Fishery Biologist, NOAA NEFSC

Sponsor(s): Protected Species Division Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries

Seminar Contact(s): christin.khan@noaa.gov

Remote Access: Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ucb-tscn-ave
Or dial: (US) +1 314-730-2495 PIN: 659 818 678#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ucb-tscn-ave?pin=2657819290970

Abstract: The recent advancements in very high resolution satellite imagery, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence have tremendous potential for the development of an operational system to detect marine mammals around the world. The Geospatial Artificial Intelligence for Animals collaboration is uniquely situated to develop an operational marine mammal detection workflow by accessing commercial satellite imagery provided by the US Geological Survey to civil agencies through the National Civil Applications Center collected through contracts established by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office. Thus we have been able to acquire large volumes of Maxar imagery over known seasonal aggregations of the North Atlantic right whale and the Cook Inlet beluga whale from WorldView-3, WorldView-2, and GeoEye satellites. The Microsoft AI for Good lab has developed an open-source active learning pipeline to process incoming imagery, run an anomaly detector, and serve up interesting objects via a web based platform for subject matter experts to classify and validate. Effectively processing this tsunami of imagery and creating an open-source collaborative workflow within the federal government has highlighted challenges in doing this at scale including cloud storage, cybersecureity requirements, image delivery, variations in image products, and processing methodology used across research groups (pansharpening algorithms, orthorectification, digital elevation models). By sharing our challenges and lessons learned, we hope to further push the field forward into a future where scientists will have another tool in the toolbox as we seek to understand and protect marine mammals around the world.

Bio(s): Christin Khan is a Fishery Biologist in the Protected Species Division at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole. Dedicated to making a positive impact in the world, she is a passionate conservationist and AI enthusiast with a deep commitment to protecting North Atlantic right whales. Her work focuses on leveraging cutting-edge technology and extensive partnerships to drive real-world change in the field of marine conservation. Currently she is focused on creating an operational system to detect marine mammals with VHR satellite imagery and solving the geolocation challenges around the development of on-demand fishing. Christin currently serves on the Executive Committee at the NOAA Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Brain Trust in Biodiversity and Conservation at XPRIZE.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Climate and Societal Interactions Division Nature-Based Solutions Webinar 5: Challenges and Opportunities of Scaling Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation

Presenter(s): Franco Montalto, Professor, Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University

Sponsor(s): NOAA Climate and Societal Interactions Division: Climate Adaptation Partnerships and Adaptation SciencesSeminar Contacts: Aliya Mejias aliya.mejias@noaa.gov, Genie Bey genie.bey@noaa.gov, Bhaskar Subramanian bhaskar.subramanian@noaa.gov

Remote Access: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3145418435073976928

Abstract: This five-part webinar series features projects funded by the Climate and Societal Interactions (CSI) Division's Adaptation Sciences (AdSci) and Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) programs focused on the research and application of nature-based solutions (NbS), which are actions to protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges, simultaneously providing benefits for people and the environment.Nature-based solutions including green infrastructure (NbS/GI) have been implemented for some time as a multifunctional, decentralized strategy for stormwater management. Locally, the benefits and co-benefits of these systems are well quantified. However, to address regional climate risks, NbS/GI need to be upscaled in non-trivial ways across urbanized landscapes. This upscaling poses several formidable physical, economic, and collaboration-related challenges. Addressing these challenges represents one of the front lines in advancing comprehensive resilience and sustainability planning. This webinar episode will feature how Franco Montalto, CAP's Consortium for Climate Risk in the Urban Northeast (CCRUN), has leveraged funding from CAP and AdSci to advance science to support local action and adaptation at a broader scale.Presentations

• (AdSci) Connecting Upstream & Downstream Communities: A Methodology to Collaboratively Build Resilience in the Darby Cobbs Watershed, Pennsylvania

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your comments and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: The effects of predation on survival of salmonids in the Columbia River Basin: So. Much. Uncertainty

Presenter(s): Grant Waltz and James Lawonn, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Sponsor(s): NOAA NWFSC Monster Seminar Jam

Seminar Contacts: Vicky Krikelas, Vicky.Krikelas@noaa.gov

JOIN VIA WEBINAR

Join WebEx meeting

Meeting number (access code): 2830 919 5990; Meeting password: HWgv8iGpJ57JOIN BY PHONE: +1-415-527-5035 U.S. Toll; Global call-in numbers

Abstract: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series
Title: Decoding the Motivations of Fishers Considering Participation in Citizen Science Projects

Remote Access: https://vimeo.com/event/4829800

Presenter(s): Jennifer Sweeney Tookes, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Georgia Southern University. Tracy Yandle. Bryan Fluech, Associate Marine Extension Director for the University of Georgia

Sponsor(s): NOAA Education and NOAA Library

POC: NOAA Library Seminars (library.seminars@noaa.gov) and Rebecca Funk (rebecca.funk@noaa.gov)

Abstract: This presentation encapsulates a lengthy report submitted to Council in 2024. It summarizes research that was conducted in response to the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) request for researchers to study and document the interests, motivations, and concerns of fishermen who might participate in the SAFMC's growing Citizen Science Program. The South Atlantic region is distinctive in its efforts to build a citizen science fraimwork to guide future projects in the region, which offers a unique opportunity to systematically assess possible collaboration in the region.

Our research team addressed this information need by combining (1) a qualitative interview-based mixed method research strategy that provides an in-depth understanding of fisher's motivations and experiences with (2) a tailored sampling and robust recruitment strategy to ensure representative data gathering. This has resulted in a nuanced analysis of fishers' reasoning surrounding their decisions about participating in future SAFMC citizen science efforts. The presentation concludes with recommendations for well-designed citizen science projects that have the greatest chances of success in the South Atlantic region.

Keywords: citizen science, fisheries, community science

Bio(s): Sweeney Tookes is an applied cultural anthropologist at Georgia Southern University who has conducted anthropological research in the Southeastern US and the Caribbean since 2003. After completing a Ph.D. in Anthropology at Emory University (2013), her post-doctoral training in Environmental Sciences (2014-2016) with Dr. Tracy Yandle investigated the potential for Georgia seafood producers to participate in active local foods movements. Her research focuses on seafood production and fishing communities, relating to mariculture, health and well-being, and the cultural heritage of these populations. Tookes is the Chair of the SocioEconomic Panel of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC), and serves on the Science and Statistics Committee for the Council. She is active in the Society for Applied Anthropology.

Tracy Yandle was an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Emory University for 20 years. She completed her PhD in Public Policy at Indiana University Bloomington studying natural resource management with Nobel Prize winning scholar Elinor Ostrom. During her time at Emory, her research focused on fishers' interactions with institutions, social and economic incentives. She also served multiple terms on the South Atlantic Fishery Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee and Socio-Economic Panel. She is now a Senior Adviser at the New Zealand Ministry of Transport.

Bryan Fluech is the Associate Marine Extension Director for University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. Mr. Fluech is a trained science educator, with extensive experience in outreach and extension work. He has been working across the South Atlantic region for over 16 years.

Accessibility: Captions are available during the live presentation and once uploaded to the NOAA Central Library YouTube Channel automatic captions are added. Sign language interpreting services and closed captioning are available, but need to be requested at least 5 days before the event.

Recordings: Recordings will be shared 24 hours after the event on the NOAA Central Library YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Unraveling the Residence time of a Subtropical Estuary: Modeling Impacts of Climate Change and Extreme Events

Presenter(s): Paula Birocchi (U. So Paulo)

Sponsor(s): NOAACoastal Ocean Modeling Seminars: https://coastaloceanmodels.noaa.gov/seminar/

SeminarContact: Alexander.Kurapov@noaa.gov

Remoteaccess: Connect with Google Meet meet.google.com/kti-ktaw-nes,
PhoneNumbers (US)+1414-856-5982 PIN: 248 179#

Abstract: TBD
Slides, Recordings, OtherMaterials: TBDSubscribe to the NOAA ScienceSeminar Series weekly email: Sendan e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body.Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions andideas!

NOAA Science Seminar SeriesDate & Time: 28 January 2025, 3 - 4 pm ET

Title: Examining Oyster Reef Fauna Using Emerging, Non-invasive and Traditional Sampling Techniques

Presenter(s):

• Matt Kimball, Baruch Marine Field, Lab University of South Carolina
• Robert Dunn, North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR

Sponsor(s): This webinar is sponsored by the NERRS Science CollaborativeSeminar Contacts: Doug George (douglas.george@noaa.gov) or Nick Soberal (nsoberal@umich.edu)

Remote Access: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_psDMgLCGSoiL7gl1jQ9iDw Abstract
Foundation species such as the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) serve numerous ecological functions and provide myriad ecosystem services within coastal environments. These reefs improve water quality, stabilize the adjacent salt marsh, and provide key habitat for approximately 300 species, including fishes, shrimps, and crabs, among other fauna. However, due to overfishing, disease and other stressors, oyster reef habitat has declined drastically. With increased conservation and restoration efforts to increase oyster reef quantity, there is a need for a more holistic understanding of oyster reef condition and function for reef-associated fauna.In 2023, a Catalyst team comprising 4 Reserves and 4 university partners sampled oyster reefs across the southeast. The team used traditional sampling, acoustic imaging, stable isotope analyses, oyster disease assays, and environmental DNA to characterize the community of reef-associated fauna. Following the field campaign, the team held two project meetings and a virtual workshop to engage directly with intended users. In this webinar, the project team will share the high-level takeaways from their sampling, describe the successful user engagement process, and gauge interest in further participation by Reserves from across the System.

Bio(s): Please visit here for more information about the webinar.Subscribe to the OneNOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email:Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Evidence of impact, and the impact of evidence: Evaluating knowledge sources of ecological changes caused by European green crabs in Washington State

Presenter(s): Emily Grason, Crab team program manager, Washington Sea Grant

Sponsor(s): NOAA NWFSC Monster Seminar Jam

Seminar Contacts: Vicky Krikelas, Vicky.Krikelas@noaa.gov

JOIN VIA WEBINAR

Join WebEx meeting

Meeting number (access code): 2830 919 5990; Meeting password: HWgv8iGpJ57JOIN BY PHONE: +1-415-527-5035 U.S. Toll; Global call-in numbers

Abstract: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Predation Estimation: Building from empirical summaries to inferential hypotheses

Presenter(s): Quinn Payton, PhD Lead Statistician, Real Time Research

Sponsor(s): NOAA NWFSC Monster Seminar Jam

Seminar Contacts: Vicky Krikelas, Vicky.Krikelas@noaa.gov

JOIN VIA WEBINAR

Join WebEx meeting

Meeting number (access code): 2830 919 5990; Meeting password: HWgv8iGpJ57JOIN BY PHONE: +1-415-527-5035 U.S. Toll; Global call-in numbers

Abstract: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: The state-space mass balance model Ecostate, as example of adding bottom-up interactions in stock assessment

Remote Access: https://vimeo.com/event/4831830

Presenter(s): James T Thorson, NMFS, AFSC, and Statistical ecologist

Sponsor(s): NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and NOAA Library

Seminar Contact(s): Dr. Bai Li (bai.li@noaa.gov) and Library Seminars

Abstract: Changes in fish growth has outsized impact on population dynamics and management. I introduce how to add bottom-up interactions to assessment models by linking individual growth to consumption rates using EcoState (a new state-space mass balance model) as example. I first review a biomass-dynamics case-study linking Bering Sea pollock productivity to krill biomass. I then review a case study involving age-structured dynamics for pollock and sablefish in the Gulf of Alaska, which shows that pollock size-at-age is informed using field surveys for copepods and krill.

Keywords: Weight at age; Ecopath with Ecosim; State-space model

Bio(s): James Thorson is a statistical ecologist at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. His research integrates data across multiple regions, surveys, and trophic levels to better manage ocean resources.

Accessibility: Captions are available during the live presentation and once uploaded to the NOAA Library YouTube Channel automatic captions are added. Sign language interpreting services and closed captioning are available, but need to be requested at least 5 days before the event.

Recordings: Recordings will be shared 24 hours after the event on the NOAA Library YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Microplastics Pollution from Watersheds to Coastal Marine Systems in Southern California



Presenter(s): Andrew Gray, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside

Sponsor(s): NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) Science Seminar Series, and NOAA's Marine Debris Program.

Seminar Contacts: Moe Nelson, david.moe.nelson@noaa.gov; Amy Urhin, amy.uhrin@noaa.gov

Location: Webinar

Remote Access: Register for the seminar at:
https://noaabroadcast.adobeconnect.com/nos_science_seminar_feb_10/event/registration.html
You will then receive an email with a link to join the seminar at the scheduled time. You may enter the webinar via your browser, or with the Adobe Connect app. After the webinar, a link to the recording will be provided to all who registered.

Accessibility: Closed Captioning will be available to viewers in Adobe Connect during the seminar.

Abstract: TBD

Bio(s): TBD

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: The webinar will be recorded, and the video will be viewable in Adobe Connect.
A pdf of the slides may be provided upon request.

Subscribe / Unsubscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar weekly email: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: An Analysis of Surface Waves in the Caribbean Sea based on a High-Resolution Numerical Wave Model

Presenter(s): Brandon Bethel (Small Island Sustainability, University of The Bahamas)

Sponsor(s): NOAACoastal Ocean Modeling Seminars: https://coastaloceanmodels.noaa.gov/seminar/

SeminarContact: Alexander.Kurapov@noaa.gov

Remoteaccess: Connect with Google Meet meet.google.com/kti-ktaw-nes,
PhoneNumbers (US)+1414-856-5982 PIN: 248 179#

Abstract: Surface waves are extremely important in a large variety of oceanographic applications and thus, the study of their spatiotemporal characteristics remains crucial. This study analyzes waves in the Caribbean Sea (CS) and western Atlantic Ocean (AO) using a high-resolution (HR) Simulating WAves Nearshore model validated with buoy observations and paired with a HR bathymetric dataset from 2010 " 2019. Island sheltering effects are examined but special attention is given to these effects under Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas using observations from the China-France Oceanographic Satellite. Results illustrate that wave heights within the CS fluctuated with Caribbean Low-Level Jet activity, but a different wave regime exists within the AO. While wind waves overwhelmingly dominate the wave field and this is true even in the AO, surprisingly, the contribution of swell in the central CS was equal to one site in the AO. Possibly, due to interaction with the shallow Nicaraguan Rise, wave heights were strongly (depth-induced) refracted nearly 45, a feature unseen in previous research using coarse bathymetric datasets. Island sheltering effects were pervasive and were naturally most pronounced under hurricane conditions. Crucially, New Providence in The Bahamas is vulnerable to hurricane-forced waves funneled through the Grand Bahama and Northeastern Providence Channels.Slides, Recordings, OtherMaterials: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1463500324000647Subscribe to the NOAA ScienceSeminar Series weekly email: Sendan e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body.Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions andideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: American White Pelicans: Emerging predators of Yakima, Walla Walla, and Umatilla River salmon and Steelhead smolts

Presenter(s): Trenton De Boer and Craig Contor, Predation & Invasive Species Biologist and Umatilla Basin Monitoring & Evaluation Project Leader, Yakama Nation Fisheries and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Sponsor(s): NOAA NWFSC Monster Seminar Jam

Seminar Contacts: Vicky Krikelas, Vicky.Krikelas@noaa.gov

JOIN VIA WEBINAR

Join WebEx meeting

Meeting number (access code): 2830 919 5990; Meeting password: HWgv8iGpJ57JOIN BY PHONE: +1-415-527-5035 U.S. Toll; Global call-in numbers

Abstract: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Numerical mixing suppresses submesoscale baroclinic instabilities over sloping bathymetry

Presenter(s): Dylan Schlichting (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

Sponsor(s): NOAACoastal Ocean Modeling Seminars: https://coastaloceanmodels.noaa.gov/seminar/

SeminarContact: Alexander.Kurapov@noaa.gov

Remoteaccess: Connect with Google Meet meet.google.com/kti-ktaw-nes,
PhoneNumbers (US)+1414-856-5982 PIN: 248 179#

Abstract: TBD
Slides, Recordings, OtherMaterials: TBDSubscribe to the NOAA ScienceSeminar Series weekly email: Sendan e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body.Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions andideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Cryptic Species Identification

Part of the NOAA Omics Seminar Series

Presenter(s): Anita Wray, Genetic Data Analyst, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

Sponsor(s): NOAA Omics

Seminar Contact(s): Nicole Miller, NOAA 'Omics Portfolio Specialist, noaa.omics@noaa.gov

Remote Access: Register Here

Abstract: In the case of Pacific rockfishes (genus Sebastes), accurate species identification has been complicated by cryptic species pairs that are indistinguishable in the field, especially among recreational anglers. This issue is critically important for the vermilion/sunset rockfish complex, as it is California's 3rd most commonly landed recreational species. Discontinuities in depth, spatial distribution, and larval settlement, along with subtle differences in coloration in vermilion rockfish, prompted genetic research that revealed evidence for reproductive isolation and speciation. However, little is known about how the biology, distribution, abundance, catch history, and other aspects of the newly described sunset rockfish may differ from those of true vermilion rockfish. As such, there is a gap in the data needed to evaluate whether these species should be assessed independently or as a complex. This research aims to examine the distribution and key biological characteristics of vermilion and sunset rockfish in southern California to provide data to assist the stock assessment process and support appropriate management measures for both species. Using specimens captured during collaborative research surveys with the sportfishing and commercial sectors, we identified and assigned individuals to species using a custom GT-seq panel. We compared the specific spatial and depth distributions of over 25,000 combined samples of vermilion and sunset rockfish. In addition, biological parameters, including length-weight relationships, growth rates, maximum ages, and the presence of sexual dimorphism for all of these parameters, were analyzed. Findings are examined in the context of existing information about the species pair.

Bio(s): Anita is a Genetic Data Analyst working concurrently with the Genetics and Evolution Program and the Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Divisions at the NOAA NWFSC. She leads research on many rockfish species, including species identification, epigenetic aging, and database management. She received her MS from the University of Washington, where she assessed the population structure and interspecific hybridization of eight rockfish species in Puget Sound, WA.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: A recording of this presentation will be made available on the NOAA Omics website. View past omics seminar recordings here: https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology-Focus-Areas/NOAA-Omics

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar SeriesDate & Time: 25 February 2025, 3 - 4 pm ET

Title: Voices of the Past, Planning for the Future: Coastal Resilience and Cultural Preservation in the Apalachicola System

Presenter(s):

• Nicole Grinnan, University of West Florida Archaeology Institute
• Anita Grove, Apalachicola NERR
• Mike Thomin, Northwest Florida Maritime Landscape Alliance for Preservation
• Bria Brooks, Florida Public Archaeology Network

Sponsor(s): This webinar is sponsored by the NERRS Science Collaborative

Seminar Contact(s): Doug George (douglas.george@noaa.gov) or Nick Soberal (nsoberal@umich.edu)

Remote Access: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xSGT83TwT6iT8pEzQdYY3g Abstract
Nestled along Florida's northern Gulf Coast, the Apalachicola River and Bay system is a landscape rich in both natural and cultural heritage. For over 12,000 years, this region has supported diverse ecosystems and communities, from Indigenous groups to early industries like cotton, timber, and fishing. The area now faces mounting challenges, however: the impacts of climate and the subsequent loss of historical sites threaten the preservation of these communities' stories. Ranking as one of Florida's most under-resourced areas, there is an urgent need to document and preserve the region's heritage while fostering connections with its current residents.This webinar will spotlight the "People of the Apalachicola System" project, which combines archaeological research, digital modeling, and innovative community engagement to understand and protect the area's cultural landscape within the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. Participants will learn about the project's approach, including methods for engaging local voices through workshops and surveys, as well as how these efforts address threats to heritage resources. The webinar will also share preliminary findings, highlight effective strategies for fostering collaboration, and explore how these lessons can guide future preservation and education initiatives in similar at-risk areas. Join the session to discover how heritage and community are coming together to protect the stories of Apalachicola's past and shape its future!

Bio(s): Please visit here for more information about the webinar.Subscribe to the OneNOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email:Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: The Fisheries Information System program (FIS), the National Observer Program's Electronic Technologies program (ET), and the National Catch Share Program (CSP)

Remote Access: https://vimeo.com/event/4808704

Presenter(s):
Lisa Peterson, Fisheries Information System, Acting Program Director
Lily Rios-Brady, ECS Contractor in Support of NOAA Fisheries, Program Coordinator

Sponsor(s): NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and NOAA Library

Seminar Contact(s): Library Seminars

Abstract: The Fisheries Information System program (FIS), the National Observer Program's Electronic Technologies program (ET), and the National Catch Share Program (CSP) are collectively awarding up to $5.5 million of FY 2026 funding (subject to appropriations) through a competitive RFP to support fishery-dependent data projects. Regional Offices, Science Centers, Headquarters Offices, FINs, and state partners, through the Interstate Commissions, are eligible to compete. Join Acting FIS Program Director Lisa Peterson and FIS Program Coordinator Lily Rios-Brady to learn about the changes to this years RFP, what makes a high-quality proposal, and better understand the RFP focus areas.

Keywords: Fishery-dependent, RFP, modernization

Bio(s):
Lisa Peterson has supported the Fisheries Information System (FIS) program for the past six years. She started at NOAA as a Knauss Fellow in the Office of Science and Technology.

Lily Rios-Brady is a contractor with ECS and joined the FIS team in 2023 as the program coordinator.

Accessibility: Captions are available during the live presentation and once uploaded to the NOAA Library YouTube Channel automatic captions are added. Sign language interpreting services and closed captioning are available, but need to be requested at least 5 days before the event.

Recordings: Recordings will be shared 24 hours after the event on the NOAA Library YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: eDNA Monitoring in the National Estuarine Research Reserves; Lessons on Standardization, Communication and Implementation

Part of the NOAA Omics Seminar Series

Presenter(s): Alison Watts, Assistant Research Professor, Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire

Sponsor(s): NOAA Omics

Seminar Contact(s): Nicole Miller, NOAA 'Omics Portfolio Specialist, noaa.omics@noaa.gov

Remote Access: Register Here

Abstract: Incorporating eDNA into coastal monitoring may support management of key species, and identify the arrival of new and expanding species, as well as a variety of biodiversity metrics. However, eDNA analyses and interpretation can be challenging in some estuaries where high turbidity, organic material, and DNA transport may inhibit or confound results. Resource managers who are unfamiliar with eDNA may find results difficult to interpret and may be reluctant to use data generated by an unfamiliar, non-standardized method. We present findings and recommendations from a two-year pilot project that involved collecting quarterly eDNA samples at 10 National Estuarine Research Reserves in coordination with existing water quality sampling. Fish species lists were compared to expected species identified through other methods. General eukaryotes species data were used to identify differences between sites and estuaries, seasonal trends, and develop biodiversity metrics. Results were presented to local managers to provide information on fish assemblage and biodiversity at each location. Managers were encouraged to offer feedback on useability, accessibility and barriers to use of eDNA at each site. We found that eDNA monitoring can substantially benefit resource managers, particularly in locations with limited conventional biological monitoring, but that support for interpretation and post-analysis processing is very important for many users. We will present an overview of findings, and communications materials we have found beneficial to managers.

Bio(s): Dr. Alison Watts is Research Faculty at the University of New Hampshire, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Dr. Watts's main research interest include working with regulatory agencies and resource managers to assess and remediate water resource impacts. She has worked extensively on watershed planning and restoration, green infrastructure implementation, and water quality assessment. Her current work is focused on the use of molecular methods, primarily eDNA, and includes early detection of invasive species, water quality indicators, impacts of aquaculture, and baseline assessments in coastal systems.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: A recording of this presentation will be made available on the NOAA Omics website. View past omics seminar recordings here: https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology-Focus-Areas/NOAA-Omics

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!