[Submission]: 2024 Observation Synthesis

[khyde]

Primary Contact

kimberly.hyde@noaa.gov

Secondary Contact

nefsc.soe.leads@noaa.gov

Data Name (This will be the displayed title in Catalog)

2024 Observation Synthesis

Indicator Name (as exists in ecodata)

ESP_gsi

Family (Which group is this indicator associated with?)

• Oceanographic
• Habitat
• Lower trophic levels
• Megafauna
• Social
• Economic

Data Description

Synthesis of anomalous and extreme conditions observed in 2024 that should be noted and considered in future analyses.

Introduction to Indicator (Please explain your indicator)

Proceed as though this were a short summary of a typical introduction section in a paper.

Key Results and Visualization

• Record (?) high amounts of precipitation (Jan-April) -> increased freshwater input to the continental shelf -> potential impacts to stratification -> Scotian Shelf influence ->
• Thick surface layer of shelf water (with lower salinities) in the Slope Sea region -> some instances of shelf water next to the Gulf Stream (April) -> very strong temperature and salinity gradients between the shelf water and Gulf Stream
• Few warm core rings (only 1 in late March/early April) despite the more northward position of the Gulf Stream -> there could be more Scotian Shelf (likely fresher than normal due to the increased precipitation) water moving south
• There appear to be little Slope Sea water, which is often higher in nutrients (especially compared to the Gulf Stream)

Implications

The implications of these events are still to be determined, but should be noted for future analyses.

Spatial Scale

NES

Temporal Scale

2024

Synthesis Theme

• Multiple System Drivers
• Regime Shifts
• Ecosystem Reorganization

Define Variables

NA

Indicator Category

• Published Methods
• Extensive analysis, not yet published
• Syntheses of published information
• Database pull
• Database pull with analysis
• Other

If other, please specify indicator category

Synthesis of observations

Data Contributors

Kimberly Hyde, Sarah Gaichas, Joe Caracappa

Point(s) of Contact

kimberly.hyde@noaa.gov

Affiliation

NEFSC

Public Availability

Source data are publicly available.

Accessibility and Constraints

No response

[khyde]

I started this as a place holder to write down 2024 observations that are discussed throughout the year.

[BBeltz1]

Note: Removing submission label to exclude page from automatic processing. See issue 118 for details (#118).

[khyde]

Cold pool
Strong stratification
Labrador current
Upwelling
Coccolithophore bloom
Delayed Illex fishing
Low longfin fishing

[khyde]

Suggestions for criteria to be included in the 2024 Highlights.

• Record high (or maybe top 5 in a long time series) event or something unusual, possibly newsworthy.
• Potential ecosystem or fisheries impact
• Others ???

[BBeltz1]

Per Tammy Silva:

Hi all,

One interesting observation during our 2024 July whale tagging cruise in SBNMS was increased feeding on menhaden by humpback whales during our cruise. We had reports from whale watching boats that there was more feeding on menhaden during the season as well. Seems to be the first time that substantial feeding on mendaden by adult whales offshore. Previous observations often involved juvenile whales closer to shore.
Thanks,
Tammy

[khyde]

Right whales near Hudson Canyon - more than 12 percent of the population were documented in the Hudson Canyon area from May 29 to June 1
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/science-blog/delicious-draw-hudson-canyon
"This tells us that instead of heading northeast to the summer feeding grounds of Bay of Fundy or Gulf of St Lawrence in Canada, these animals left New England and went southwest. Something we did not expect."

[khyde]

Since late September Capt. Frank on the F/V J-Mar, out of Pt. Pleasant NJ, has been monitoring DO in 65 feet of water just a few miles from shore with a Lowell Instruments DOT sensor and DDH. Low DO water, characteristic of warmer summer months, has persisted now through November. The DO has been declining steadily since mid October which is unusual for the time of year and as of November 12th even dipped into hypoxia (DO < 2mg/L). A CTD cast made by Capt. Frank shortly after hauling the trap with DO logger showed a well-mixed water column which is atypical for observing hypoxia. The J-Mar will haul this trap again sometime next week which should provide more insight into this phenomenon.

Contribution from Linus Stoltz (CFRF Data Manager)