2024 Annual Science Meeting

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC) held its 2024 Annual Science Meeting in April. The event allowed both virtual and in-person attendees in Miami to share research and form collaborations between NOAA scientists and LMRCSC fellows. 

Dr. Cisco Werner, NOAA Fisheries ​chief science advisor and director of scientific programs, and Samuel Rauch, NOAA Fisheries deputy assistant administrator for regulatory programs, began the meeting by painting a picture of the two paths students could take when they endeavor to make a career with NOAA.

Dr. Werner illustrated the more traditional science and research path. He said the ocean is completely different than  it was 40 years ago; marine scientists are investigating why, revamping how they collect data, and figuring out how to come up with actionable advice for policymakers moving forward. “It’s a great time to be doing the science side of things,” he said. 

Rauch offered an alternative path for marine science students: Using research to effect change. From a regulatory perspective, NOAA officials must be able to balance the huge economic impact of commercial and recreational fisheries with the historic and cultural importance of artisanal fisheries and native community needs. 

He also noted the need for regulatory action in the growing aquaculture field and in the continuing effort to protect marine species in the midst of climate change. “This is science into action,” he said.

Sean Hayes, director of protected species at the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, gave students an overview of his division, which includes conservation ecology and risk assessment and mitigation. He echoed Dr. Werner’s sentiment on shifting baseline data, and noted the pressure on the next generation of marine scientists to manage conservation theory when historic precedents can no longer be depended upon. 

Several LMRCSC Fellows and NOAA scientists presented research focused on conservation. 

NOAA LMRCSC-II Fellow Jennifer Wong-Ala discussed toxoplasmosis spreading to monk seals because of feral cats in Hawaii. Master’s Fellow Juan Ramos described virus threats to blue crabs in Delaware Inland Bays. 

Dr. Joseph Pfaller, Sea Turtle Branch Chief at the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center, discussed how his branch works to understand the biology of and threats to sea turtle populations in the Southeast Region. 

Dr. Jefferson Hinke, program lead on seabird research at the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, talked about his research in the Antarctic, and invited students interested in data science and seabird ecology to investigate internships at the lab. “We have a lot of opportunities for folks that we’re excited about,” he said. 

Dr. James Vasslides, lab director at NOAA Fisheries Sandy Hook Laboratory in New Jersey, discussed protecting deep sea corals and the species that live in them. He also questioned how new offshore wind projects impact existing habitats and form new novel habitats. 

Dr. Vasslides also invited students to explore internships at the lab. “We really enjoy hosting students here. We’re always looking for new collaborators in what we do,” he said.

Other presentations focused on aquaculture and seafood safety research. 

LMRCSC Doctoral Fellow Tahirah Johnson presented her research on Shewanella prevalence in oysters and seawater from the mid-Atlantic Region. Master’s Fellow Emily Andrade discussed oyster aquaculture in the Delaware Inland Bays. And Doctoral Fellow David Garcia Prieto presented his research, “Analyzing the metazoan biodiversity of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific oxygen deficient zone using COI Amplicons.” Master’s Fellow Savannah Clax talked about her research on how low oxygen conditions caused by climate change affect fish populations.

NOAA Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences Marine Ecologist Christopher Schillaci discussed shellfish aquaculture efforts at NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). NOAA Southeast Fisheries Center Populations and Ecosystems Monitoring Division Director Todd Kellison talked about the center’s focus on managing fisheries while safeguarding protected species. He mentioned offshore wind development as an emerging research theme, with scientists starting to investigate how it impacts species and fisheries.

The final round of research focused on stock assessment, population and ecosystem dynamics, and fishery management.

NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center Ecosystem Science Lead Mandy Karnauskas gave an overview of NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) Program. 

NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory Research Scientist Luke Thompson discussed using environmental DNA technology to support NOAA’s mission, specifically how a warming and acidified Gulf of Mexico affects the plankton population.  

LMRCSC Doctoral Fellow Chryston Best-Otubu presented research from his TAB project, which investigated fish abundances in relation to habitat within Biscayne Bay using Stereo baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs).

Doctoral Fellow Kayland Huckaby talked about collecting the lesser-known dietary data of forage fish species to improve ecosystem models in the Gulf of Mexico by comparing the diets of Atlantic croaker caught in different areas of the northern Gulf. She said she hopes the research will serve as a template for future diet studies and support stock assessment efforts. 

Master’s Fellow Chloe Lemaire’s presentation focused on Eastern oysters and assessing the influence of water chemistry on their growth. 

NOAA LMRCSC Director Paulinus Chigbu promised to contact many of the NOAA scientists in attendance to facilitate future internships for LMRCSC students.

NOAA Stock Assessment Analyst Dr. LaTreese Denson, an LMRCSC alum, told attendees that when she was a student, the center helped her make connections that built her career. Dr. Denson also said her cohorts at the LMRCSC provided a support system that was crucial to completing her Ph.D.

“We made personal relationships, and those relationships helped keep us going,” she said.