January 25, 2014

Knauss Lecture Series

12-1PM EST Monday January 27, 2014 NOAA Central Library, 2nd Floor SSMC3

MEASURING AT RELEVANT SCALES: HOW WHELKS RESPOND TO DIFFERING PREY LEVELS ACROSS REGIONS AND YEARS

Will Tyburczy, NOAA Policy, Planning and Integration

Many multi-species models assume that the reproduction and mortality of predators relate directly to their immediate feeding rate and local prey abundance. Similarly, many empirical investigations measure short-term feeding rates of predators and extrapolate reproductive consequences. However, for annually reproducing species, where predation and reproduction occur on very different timescales, the validity of these assumptions remains in question. From 2009-2012, I measured growth, survival, and reproduction of the predatory whelk, Nucella ostrina, both in caged manipulations across Oregon and Washington, and in naturally isolated populations in Washington. Whelks were exposed to a range of prey abundances. Analysis revealed an effect of barnacle abundance on whelk growth, and a correlation between growth and reproduction, but showed no discernable relationship between barnacle abundance and whelk reproduction. A literature search also revealed large regional variation N. ostrina survival rates. The results demonstrate the value of conducting research at larger spatial and temporal scales.

Aquaculture

Virginia Sea Grant Launches the USDA and NOAA-Supported Aquaculture Information Exchange Online Community Platform

The Aquaculture Information Exchange (AIE) online community platform website is now live and open for new user registrations. The AIE represents a joint effort between NOAA’s National Sea Grant Office, NOAA’s Fisheries Office of Aquaculture, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and Virginia Sea Grant.

Sea Grant Announces the 2024 Class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2024 class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. The 85 early-career professionals selected will be placed in federal government offices throughout Washington, D.C., and join the over 1,600 individuals who have participated in the program since its inception in 1979.

Sea Grant announces funding opportunities to support community-engaged marine debris removal and prevention

Sea Grant announces $19 million in federal funding opportunities to address the prevention and removal of marine debris. These opportunities are a component of nearly $3 billion in targeted investments for NOAA in the areas of habitat restoration, coastal resilience and weather forecasting infrastructure through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.