stellwagen bank national marine sanctuary #6 · histology of the ovary of a northern sand lance...

● Summary of Sand Habitat Research● Findings of 2020 Condition Report● Update on Management Plan Review

Pete DeCola, SuperintendentBen Haskell, Deputy SuperintendentDavid Wiley, Research Coordinator

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

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#6

Productivity and Ecology of Sand HabitatsFunding: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

2018 – 2020; $1,197,000

Partners:Stellwagen Bank NMS – lead – Wiley/Silva/ThompsonBoston University – Kaufmann/KlienUniversity of Connecticut – Baumann/ MurrayUniversity of Massachusetts: Dartmouth – Fay/SilvaWoods Hole Oceanographic Institute – Llopiz/Suca

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Are Sand Habitats Productive?FisheriesProtected Species

Why are sand habitats productive?Sand lance

Decision support toolsVulnerability MatrixMIMES – Boston University

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Percent pounds by species landed in sand, gravel, mud and boulder habitats for 19 commercial fish species for the years 2007 -2016. Data calculated from National Marine Fisheries Service vessel trip reports for SBNMS. Data provided by the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, Gloucester, MA.

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Pounds landed by habitat type showing the relative importance of sand habitat as compared to gravel, mud, and boulder habitats. Sand habitat provided the most pounds landed in 8 of the 19 species (blue text), including the highly valuable bluefin tuna and scallop fisheries. Sand habitat was the second most productive habitat in 10 other species, including cod and haddock.

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Pounds landed in sand habitat by species / month

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Distributions of the center of gravity and inertia for sand lance and select commercial fish species in and around SBNMS. Data comes from closed trawl video surveys conducted in April 2017 by K. Stokesbury. Black points = trawl locations. The center of gravity is the mean location of the population (located at center of cross hairs). The inertia is the variance of locations and describes the dispersion of the population around the center of gravity (ellipse). Sand lance overlaps with all fish species here, particularly cod and flatfish. 7

Are seabirds preferentially selecting sand habitat ?

Seabirds, with the exception of large gulls, select cells with over 60% sand

SandGravel

Mud

SBNMS sediment maps by Valentine, USGS

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Satellite tagging and tracking of Great Shearwater seabirds show overlap with sand habitats in the Gulf of Maine

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Why are sand habitats productive?

Northern sand lance (eel) (Ammodytes duibius)

Small (11-20 cm) bentho-pelagic forage fish

Require coarse-grained sand for burying

Restricted to sandy banks11

Sand lance (eel) are a major component of commercial fish diets in SBNMS.

Data provided by Brian Smith; NEFSC 12

Great Shearwater seabirds:DNA analysis of fecal material and satellite tracked movements show importance of sand lance. 13

# Sand lance vs # humpback whales in SBNMS

Humpback whales feed on sand lance at the surface and along the seabed.

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Overall, 72 regional predators including 45 species of fishes, two squids, 16 seabirds and nine marine mammals were found to consume Ammodytes.

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Sand Lance Life History

Single, brief spawning period (<2 weeks) in November.

Histology of the ovary of a northern sand lance female post-spawning at the end of November 2017. Only small, primary “reservoir” oocytes remain. This is consistent with a single spawning peak.

Histology of the ovary of a northern sand lance female prior to spawning. All Oocytes are of the same size and developmental stage, supporting the single, narrow spawning window for this species.

Gonado-somatic index, shows sudden increase and then immediate decrease at the end of November, consistent with a single, short spawning peak

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Otoliths were used to calculate larval SL settled on SB after ~ 70 days.

Spawning in late November, 6-week demersal egg period, 70-day pelagic larvae period = settlement on SB in March / April.

Diet by biomass by month of adult sand lance collected in 2019. Dominated by Calanus.

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Monthly percent lipid composition of sand lance (total body).

von Bertalanffy curves fitted to length by month for age-2 and age-3 for adult sand lance collected in 2019. 18

Sand lance presence in SBNMS coincides with Calanus abundance

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Otolith-based age distributions of northern sand lance on Stellwagen Bank in 2014-2016 (scaled to population sample). In 2014, catches were almost exclusively dominated by the new age-0 cohort, with very few older individuals. That strong year-class is apparent as age-1 in 2015 and age-2 in 2016. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that large pulses arrive in the sanctuary and then slowly dissipate.

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What is the origin of sand lance occurring in SBNMS ?

Location of sand lance samples to be included in the genomic study.

Results from using one hundred and eighty day back-tracking of 1000 particles released at 1 km spacing from the sanctuary (blue box) on May 1st 2016..Black dots indicate predicted hatch locations for the simulated “settlers” (particles). 21

Vulnerability Matrix for sand lance life history categories

Sand lance would be least vulnerable to disturbance in August & September

Growth completed, feeding slowed, lipid concentration high, no spawning or settlement.

None

Very High

Very Low

Vulnerability Scale

High

Moderate

Low

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Vulnerability Matrix for SBNMS use categories

Pounds landed by fishery/month# whale watching trips/month# animal sightings per month

Combined average vulnerabilities indicate August and September would be least disruptive to ecosystem services.

None

Very High

Very Low

Vulnerability Scale

High

Moderate

Low

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Multiscale Integrated Model of Ecosystem Services (MIMES)Boumans R, & J Roman, I Altman, L Kaufman (2015). The Multiscale Integrated Model of Ecosystem Services (MIMES): Simulating the interactions of coupled human and natural systems. Ecosystem Services 12: 30-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2015.01.004.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2015.01.004

Questions on Sand HabitResearch?

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SBNMS Condition Report

• Update to First Condition Report (2007)• Best available science• Assesses trends from 2007-2018• Identifies Gaps In Data and Current

Monitoring Efforts• Identifies Issues and Topics for

Management Plan Review • First Step in Management Plan Review

Process

https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/media/docs/2020-stellwagen-condition-report.pdf 27

SBNMS Condition Report: Process

• External Panel of Experts Consulted

• Robust/Repeatable Process• Staff Reviewed Expert

Ratings• Drafted Report• Invited Review• Peer Review• Final Report

Invited Review

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SBNMS Condition Report: Participants

Expert Workshop Participants and ReviewersJennifer Anderson (NOAA), Michelle Bachman (NEFMC), Kevin Blinkoff (On The Water), Diane Borggaard (NOAA), Arne Carr (retired), Peter Christopher (NOAA), Danielle Cholewiak (NOAA), Amy Costa (Center for Coastal Studies), Tracey Dalton (University of Rhode Island), John Galluzzo (South Shore YMCA), Vito Giacalone (Gloucester Fishing Community), Porter Hoagland (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), Carlton Hunt (retired), Ken Keay (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority), Marty Klein (Martin Klein Consultants), Heather Knowles (Northern Atlantic Dive Expeditions), Joe Levine (Researcher), Charles Mayo (Center for Coastal Studies), Calvin Mires (Bridgewater State University), Wayne Peterson (Massachusetts Audubon Society), Kevin Powers (retired), Kimberly Starbuck (University of Massachusetts-Boston), Kevin Stokesbury (University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth), Bruce Terrell (NOAA ONMS), Eric Thunberg (NOAA), Page Valentine (US Geological Survey).

Invited Partner ReviewersKevin Blinkoff (On The Water), Todd Callaghan (Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management), Deborah Cramer (Independent), Susan Farady (University of New England), Paula Fratatoni (NOAA), Erica Fuller (Conservation Law Foundation), Laura Howes (Boston Harbor Cruises), Heather Knowles (Northern Atlantic Dive Expeditions), Scott Large (NOAA), John Mandelman (New England Aquarium), Brad McHale (NOAA), Frank Mirarchi (retired commercial fisherman), Tom Noji (NOAA), Cate O’Keefe (Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries), Kevin Powers (retired), Jeffrey Rosen (independent), Michelle Staudinger (U.S. Geological Service), Mason Weinrich (independent).

Peer ReviewersONMS would like to give special thanks to the peer reviewers of his document: Stefan Claesson (NearView LLC), Lew Incze (retired), Candace Oviatt (University of Rhode Island), and Geret DePiper (NOAA).

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SBNMS Condition Report: DPSER Framework

Describes interactions between• Drivers - Driving societal

forces• Pressures - Resulting threats • State - Resource condition• Ecosystem services -

Derived benefits• Response - Management

responses

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Status Trend ConfidenceConfidence

• System-wide monitoring framework• Status/trends based on interpretation

of data and expert opinion• Revised in 2012

SBNMS Condition Report:Rating System

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• Population• Per Capita Income• Gross Domestic

Product of International Trading Partners

• Demand for Seafood• Demand for

Recreation• Import/Export of goods• Fuel Prices

FUEL PRICES

POPULATION

STUDY AREA

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CONFIDENCE STATUS TREND CONFIDENCEQuestion 1: What are the states of influential human drivers and how are they changing?

2020 Condition Report: Pressures

• Noise• Marine Debris• Whale Watching• Recreational Diving• Recreational Fishing

and Boating• Commercial Fishing• Commercial Shipping• LNG Deepwater Port• MWRA outfall• MA Bay Disposal Site• Submarine Cables• Climate Change 33

2020 Condition Report:Status Outline

• Water Quality (Questions 6-9, 2)• Living Resources (Questions

12-15, 4)• Habitat (Questions 10, 11, 3)• Maritime Heritage Resources

(Questions 16, 5) • Overall Human Impacts

(Question 1)34

WATER QUALITYQuestions 2, 6, 7, 8, 9

WATER QUALITY Confidence STATUS TREND

Confidence

2. What are the levels of human activities that may adversely influence water quality and how are they

changing?6. What is the eutrophic condition of sanctuary

waters and how is it changing?7. Do sanctuary waters pose risks to human health

and how are they changing?8. Have recent changes in climate altered water

conditions and how are they changing?9. Are other stressors, individually or in

combination, affecting water quality, and how are they changing?

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LIVING RESOURCESQuestions 12, 13, 14, 15, 4

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Question 12: What is the status of keystone and foundation species and how is it changing?

• Copepod: Foundation for the entire food web• Data limited• Vital food source for cod, haddock, herring, sand lance

& right whales• Vulnerable to impacts of climate change

• Sand Lance: Vital forage species for many fish & whales• 3 years of data but insufficient to assess state• Highly variable interannual abundances; confined to

sand habitat on top of Bank• Appear to be vulnerable to impacts of climate change

CONFIDENCE STATUS TREND CONFIDENCE

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Question 12: What is the status of keystone and foundation species and how is it changing?

• Herring: Important forage species for a variety of predators• Not overfished; however, recruitment is declining since

2013• Abundance variable in SBNMS

• Sponges/Anemones: Provides shelter for many species• Data limited• Important role as structure-forming biogenic shelter for

fish, crustaceans, echinoderms• Delicate and highly vulnerable to disturbance from

storms and fishing impacts


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Question 13: What is the status of other focal species and how is it changing?


FOCAL SPP. STATUS TREND TREND CONFIDENCE

North Atlantic right whale POOR WORSENING VERY HIGH

humpback whale POOR IMPROVING HIGH

harbor porpoise FAIR UNDETERMINED HIGH

Atlantic white-sided dolphin GOOD UNDETERMINED LOW

great shearwater GOOD/ FAIR UNDETERMINED HIGH

Atlantic cod FAIR/POOR WORSENING MEDIUM

lobster GOOD IMPROVING VERY HIGH

bluefin tuna UNDETERMINED IMPROVING LOW

• Good- Selected key species appear to reflect near-pristine conditions.• Good/Fair - Reduced abundances in selected key species are suspected but have not yet been measured.• Fair - Selected key species are at reduced levels, but recovery is possible.• Fair/Poor - Selected key species are at substantially reduced levels, and prospects for recovery are

uncertain.• Poor - Selected key species are at severely reduced levels, and recovery is unlikely.

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Question 14: What is the status of non-indigenous species and how is it changing?

• Various species observed in sanctuary for many decades

• Abundance and distribution are poorly documented

• Introduction primarily through vessel traffic and climate change

• Didemnum vexillum • Paul Palmer/SS PORTLAND• small localized areas of hard

bottom habitat


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Question 15: What is the status of biodiversity and how is it changing?

• Status is largely driven by:• increase in fish species richness• Discovery of 3 rare invertebrate

species• Information to assess status is

limited, e.g. invertebrates• Time series data for fish,

marine birds & invertebrates useful to infer trends• NEFSC Trawl surveys• S4 Seabird monitoring• WGOM habitat study


Fig. S.LR.15.1 Fish species richness in SBNMS, 1970-201541

Question 4: What are the levels of human activities that may adversely influence living resources & how are they changing?

• Commercial Fishing Impacts• Reduced effort from mobile gear & gillnet fisheries• Increase in lobster fishery• Entanglements of seabirds & small cetaceans

• Shipping• SMA’s/TSS movement reducing potential for ship strikes

• Acoustic• Vessel noise in Mass Bay masks animal communication• TSS helps concentrate noise disturbance

• Recreational Fishing• Discards

• Whale Watching• Overall trends improving due to reduced fishing effort and

programs like Whale Sense


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0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Poun

ds

COD HERRING,ATLANTIC MACKEREL,ATLANTIC DOGFISH SPINY POLLOCK

Figure S.P.4.1. Commercial landings in pounds by species in SBNMS, 2007–2016.

Sect

ors

impl

emen

ted

Landings

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0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

SBN

MS

Trip

s

Less than 50 Feet 50-70 Feet Greater than 70 Feet



Figure S.P.4.3. Commercial fishing trips in SBNMS by vessel size, 2007–2016. (Note: some, but not all, vessels represented in these data were affected by sectors.)

55.3% decline

Sect

ors

impl

emen

ted

# of trips

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Figure S.P.4.4. Fishing effort based on VMS data, expressed as hours fished. (Note: fewer vessels are required to use VMS)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Hou

rsVMS data within SBNMS

VMS Linear (VMS)

19.2% decline

# of VMS hours

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Figure S.P.4.5. Trends in effort (number of trips) for two types of fixed gear: gillnets and lobster traps, 2006–2017

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Trip

s

GILL NET, SINK TRAP, LOBSTER

87% decline in gillnets

56% increase in lobster traps

# of trips for fixed gear

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HABITATQuestions 10, 11, 3

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Question 10: What is the integrity of major habitat types and how is it changing?

• Data suggests some habitat attributes show degradation, while others showimprovement.

• Alters/removes structural characteristics/biological components of seabed• Lower level impacts in WGOM Closure

area with recovery in some areas• Scallop fishery impacts on Northwest

corner


Photos: P. Auster/University of Connecticut and Seafloor Habitat Recovery and Monitoring Project Science Team

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Question 11: What are contaminant concentrations in sanctuary habitats and how are they changing?

• Low level presence of legacy contaminants in sediments• No indications of biological effects related to

exposure despite some demonstrated bioaccumulation

• Emerging contaminants - no substantial understanding regarding their presence, risk, or trends in SBNMS

• Major data gap - microplastics• Marine sediments are a major sink for microplastic

pieces


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3. What are the levels of human activities that may adversely influence habitats and how are they changing?

• Benthic Habitat Primary Focus• Bottom Tending Mobile Gear = Primary Impacts• Fixed Gear: Some Impacts but Smaller Footprint


*

Figure S.P.3.2 reveals the cumulative effort for 2009-2018 for all VMS gear, and indicates effort across gear types.50

3. What are the levels of human activities that may adversely influence habitats and how are they changing?

Spatial distribution for all VMS-reported commercial dredge and bottom trawl fishing effort by year for the period 2009–2018


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MARITIME HERITAGE RESOURCESQuestions 16, 5

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Question 16: What is the condition of known maritime heritage resources and how is it changing?

• Non-renewable resource• Shipwreck sites experience

damage from fishing gear• Mobile• Fixed

• Degradation also caused by • Storm action• Bacteriological consumption

• Most historic wrecks are beyond storm wave impacts (>50m)


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Question 5: What are the levels of human activities that may adversely affect maritime heritage resources and how are they changing?

• Commercial Fishing Impacts• Non-renewable resource


2018 VMS-reported positions for bottom-tending mobile gear3D model of steamship Portland showing trawl net on port side (based on digital imagery)

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Information Gaps• Emerging contaminants and microplastics:

Fate and Effects• Deepwater ocean acidification monitoring• Ocean warming effects on food web,

particularly copepods• Habitat productivity/recovery• Trends in uses (shipping, whale watching, etc.)• Economic contributions of SBNMS and closed area• More outreach/social media needed to increase recognition

Condition Report

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Ratings Comparison 2007 & 2018

Stable or Improved compared

to 2007

Worsened compared

to 2007

New RatingOld

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• Ecosystem Services - Benefits people obtain from nature through use, consumption, enjoyment, and/or simply knowing these resources exist

Confidence Rating Trend Confidence

Ecosystem Services

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● Measured for first time● Recreational activities such as whale

watching are popular and appear to be increasing

● Concerns about declines in stocks led to fair ratings for commercial & recreational fishing

● Internationally recognized research program● Strong education programs● Cultural heritage resources (i.e. shipwrecks)

are valued assets

Ecosystem ServicesThe Benefits

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Millionaverage annual output from

commercial landings

The Numbers:Economic contributions of commercial and recreational fisheries

$3.9 Million

annual average output by charter boat fishing

$19 Million

value of commercial landings

700jobs supported by commercial fishing

$7.8 Million

annual average output by party boat fishing

90jobs supported by recreational fishing

$66

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Prepare Final Management Plan, Environmental

Review, and Updates to Regulations

Sanctuary Condition

Report released

Feb 7, 2020

Public Scoping Period and Scoping MeetingsFeb. 13-Apr 10, 2020

Evaluate Issues and Set Priorities

(Identify working groups as necessary)

Develop Draft Management Plan and Environmental Review

Documents

Release Draft Management Plan,

Environmental Review, and Updates to

Regulations

Public Review and Comment on Draft

Documents

Publish Final

Documents

Management Plan Review Process

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• Climate Change Impacts• Water Quality Monitoring• Education, Outreach, and Citizen Science• Sanctuary Soundscapes• Maritime Heritage Management• Other Items Identified Through Public

Scoping• Updates to Regulatory Language

Topics For Management Plan Review

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Sanctuary Condition

Report released

Feb 7, 2020





Documents



Regulations


Documents

Publish Final

Documents


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• Continue research to better understand ecosystem dynamics.

• Need to better integrate sanctuary goals into regional ecosystem-based fisheries management

• Increase adaptive management strategies to better address climate change

• Make it a “true sanctuary” by limiting human activity, including fishing and whale watching

• Make no changes to access for fishing

Comments Received During Public Scoping Period

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Sanctuary Condition

Report released

Feb 7, 2020





Documents



Regulations


Documents

Publish Final

Documents


Next Steps

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Questions on Condition Report &Management Plan Review Process?