Endangered North Atlantic right whales are dying at an alarming rate, with heavy losses in Canadian waters.

Covid Relief Package has Some Help for Seafood

3/18/2021 - By Jessica Hathaway. President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law on Thursday, March 11, almost one year after the CARES Act established the country’s first federal coronavirus relief bill. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan is the largest spending package in U.S. history and contains significantly less relief for the commercial… SEE MORE
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New Slow Zone off Virginia to Protect Right Whales

3/5/2021 - On March 3, 2021, an observer on board the HDR Naval research vessel observed the presence of right whales east of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Virginia Beach Slow Zone is in effect through March 18, 2021. Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less. Slow Zone Coordinates: East of… SEE MORE

Red Tide Update for February 24, 2021

2/24/2021 - Current Conditions The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. K. brevis was detected in 21 samples collected over the past week. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in three samples from Lee County. Recent satellite imagery (2/23; NOAA, USF) indicates the presence of chlorophyll patches along and offshore of Lee, Collier, and Monroe… SEE MORE