STEM

Department of Fisheries Oceanography "Diverse uses for Species Distribution Models (SDMs) in New England fisheries management" Michelle Bachman Lead Fishery Analyst, NEFMC Wednesday, November 27, 2024 3pm-4pm SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom Abstract: Species Distribution Models (SDMs) combine presence / absence or relative abundance data from fishery-independent surveys with environmental data to predict the probability of marine fish and shellfish species occurrence through space and time. Using Community Basis Function Modeling techniques (Hui et al. 2023), offshore and inshore fish survey data, and a diverse suite of environmental predictors, we are estimating distributions for New England Council and Mid-Atlantic Council managed species and other abundant species in the Northeast U.S. Shelf Ecosystem. A solid understanding of current species distributions and the factors that influence them is essential to fisheries management decision-making in an era of climate change. We envision diverse applications for model outputs that aim to improve the responsiveness and resilience of fisheries management. The initial application for these model outputs is revising essential fish habitat designation maps. The Council's essential fish habitat designations support fisheries management decisions as well as consultations on non-fishing projects that are likely to impact fish habitats, and, by extension, fishery resources and fisheries. The three climate-resilience applications are: (1) identifying considerations for designating ecosystem component species in our fishery management plans, (2) developing revisions to governance approaches to account for current vs. historic species distributions, and (3) evaluating the results of portfolio analyses that will be used to identify opportunities and gaps in our management system, for example how fishing permits are structured. This talk will briefly describe our modeling approach and share how the results will be applied to each of these four projects. Potential future updates to these SDMs will also be noted. Join the Zoom Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu

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Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences MS Thesis Defense "A Post-Enrichment Assessment of Belowground Carbon and Organic Matter and the Potential for Increased Accumulation in a Fertilized Coastal Salt Marsh" By: Wendy Copps Co-Advisors: Miles Sundermeyer and David White Committee Member: David Schlezinger Tuesday December 3rd, 2024 11am SMAST West 204 706 S. Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford and via Zoom Abstract: Great Sippewissett Marsh in Falmouth, MA is the site of a 50-year nutrient-enrichment experiment. Experimental plots were established and fertilized with four different nutrient regimes (low, high, extra high, and no fertilization), in order to evaluate the marsh response. As a follow-up to this enrichment study, the present study was conducted to measure the amount of belowground carbon and organic matter within the experimental plots at the conclusion of the enrichment period. The goal of this study is to assess whether fertilization of the marsh facilitated increased carbon and/or organic matter accumulation in the sediments and to identify any potential relationship between the amount of fertilizer applied and the amount of carbon or organic matter stored in the sediments. The increase in the marsh surface platform is vital to maintaining the functions of the marsh as sea level rises. In a sediment-starved system such as Great Sippewissett, belowground accumulation of organic matter plays a dominant role in elevating the marsh surface platform. However, the results of this study show that higher nutrient loading does not generate more carbon or organic matter within the marsh sediments and, thus, nutrient loading is unlikely to promote elevation of the marsh surface through increased production and storage of carbon and organic matter in the sediments. Join the Zoom Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu

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Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences "Biodegradation Test Methods for Polymers in the Marine Environment" Jo Ann Ratto Ross Adjunct Professor, Plastics Engineering Department, UMass Lowell Wednesday, December 4, 2024 12:30pm-1:30pm SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom Abstract: Biodegradable polymers have historically been studied as a solution to reduce solid waste since they can decompose in soil, compost and/or the marine environment. However, biodegradation is a challenge for most polymers in the marine environment. An introduction to polymers will be presented focusing on several biodegradable polymers. A tiered approach to evaluate the biodegradation of polymers in the marine environment will also be reviewed. The Tier 1 method utilizes an optimized environment, sample preparation and conditions to evaluate biodegradation by respirometry. A Tier 2 test uses weight loss as a function of time to evaluate actual items in the marine environment, and a Tier 3 test has items positioned in the deep sea for weight loss studies. Overall, this Tier 1 approach is a valuable screening method for polymers while Tiers 2 and 3 are real-life test methods for determining the fate of polymers in the marine environment. Toxicity as well as disintegration tests are also important when studying polymers in the marine environment. Sample data and results will be shown for a variety of materials. Join the Zoom https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270 Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu

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Department of Fisheries Oceanography "Using Advanced Technologies to Address Marine Ecosystem Survey and Assessment Needs" M. Conor McManus Supervisory Research Fish Biologist, NEFSC Wednesday, December 04, 2024 3-4pm SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom Abstract: Fisheries independent surveys provide fundamental data for understanding fish and invertebrate population trends. These data are commonly used as inputs for data-rich assessment models or are the basis for data-limited stock assessment approaches, which guide fisheries management actions and catch advice. Within the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf ecosystem, traditional survey methods such as bottom trawl and dredge surveys have been the primary approaches for sampling marine fish and invertebrate species. Catchability considerations, operational challenges or inefficiencies, and prospective preclusion of these surveys from offshore wind energy development areas have necessitated evaluating additional and novel survey methods. Such new technology approaches to sampling marine species can augment current data streams, address sampling constraints, and improve the science and data available for informing fisheries and ecosystem management decisions. In 2024, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) established its Advanced Technology Program, which aims to maintain and improve current fisheries independent advanced technology surveys, develop new methods for sampling marine species and their environment, and conduct directed ecosystem research using advanced sampling techniques and analytical approaches. In doing so, the program is designed to support improved science to inform various stock and ecosystem assessments. Here, I provide background on the NEFSC's previous and current advanced technology approaches to surveying marine fish and invertebrates, as well as where the program is headed to address current and future survey challenges and assessment needs. Join the Zoom https://umassd.zoom.us/j/93758230260 Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu

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