US Marine Economy Worth $432 Billion in 2021
to the most recent statistics from the annual Marine Economy Satellite Account released by two Department of Commerce agencies —NOAA and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The marine economy statistics include activities in the US ocean, coasts and major water bodies such as the Great Lakes, Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay.From 2020 to 2021, the marine economy bounced back strongly from declines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 7.4% growth in GDP and a 10.5% growth in sales. The growth in the marine economy outpaced U.S. economic growth, which had a 5.9% growth in GDP and 6.2%
How to Remove Abandoned ‘Ghost’ Fishing Gear from the Ocean
gear is lost globally in the oceans every year.This derelict fishing gear continues to catch fish, including commercially valuable and threatened species, and other marine fauna. For example, ghost gear, especially nets, are responsible for entangling seals and sea turtles. One abandoned fishing net in Puget Sound in the United States is expected to catch two invertebrates per day, one fish every three days and one seabird every five days.It also costs fishers. Ghost gear reduces catch rates and cuts into profits, it is expensive to replace and it can be dangerous — getting tangled in propellers
Falcon ROV Helps Endangered Rockfish
and Wildlife are undertaking an important conservation study into the threatened rockfish species using a Saab Seaeye Falcon underwater robotic vehicle.Senior Marine Fish Research Scientist, Dr. Dayv Lowry, explains that managing the conservation and recovery of rockfish populations in Washington’s Puget Sound, depends on the accurate monitoring of rockfish populations, depleted through overfishing and ecological degradation.“Of the tools we’ve tested, only the Falcon can find and measure the rockfish and other structure-associated marine fish species found amongst the deep and rocky
Falcon Helps Endangered Rockfish
Delicious to eat, the rockfish in Washington’s Puget Sound were being fished to levels that threatened extinction.Now scientists at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are undertaking an important conservation study into the threatened rockfish species using a Saab Seaeye Falcon underwater robotic vehicle.Senior Marine Fish Research Scientist, Dr. Dayv Lowry, explains that managing the conservation and recovery of rockfish populations in Washington’s Puget Sound, depends on the accurate monitoring of rockfish populations, depleted through overfishing and ecological degradation.
JW Fishers’ Pulse 8X Continues to Outperform
WA purchased a detector earlier this year. The MRDU deploys specially trained and equipped divers that are responsible for water-related law enforcement, investigations, rescue, and recovery work. Duties include victim recovery and investigation, evidence search and recovery, and safety inspections. The Puget Sound, Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish and the surrounding King County areas are all part of the covered terrain. Deputies are trained and equipped in swift water, flood, and ice rescue and recovery operations. This is all done while utilizing special equipment to get the job done safely and
NOAA Releases 2018 Hydrographic Survey Plans
the bay last surveyed in the 1920s and 1950s, this survey project focuses on areas inadequate for safe navigation. Point Hope and Vicinity – Vessel traffic is increasing each year as sea ice recedes. Seventy percent of the area remains unsurveyed. Pacific Coast and Puget Sound Puget Sound, Wash. –This moderate to high traffic density area includes several ferry routes. Current surveys of the area consist of partial bottom coverage and in some areas, lesser coverage. Channel Islands and Vicinity, Calif. – This survey project provides
Case Study: 3DSS-DX-450 Sonar
Before coming to rest at the bottom of Lake Union in Washington State, J.E. Boyden was once a common sight along the shores of Puget Sound and Vancouver Island. The 85-foot vessel served as a cargo hauler and tug vessel for almost half a century during the final days of the tallship bulk carriers. Originally laid as one of the Seattle steamer fleet in 1888, the Boyden quickly made a name for herself as a powerful and capable tug, transporting coal, coke and lumber between ports on Vancouver Island and Puget Sound. The J.E. Boyden was also involved for many years as a tug for sailing ships entering the
JW Fishers’ ROVs Used for Tank Inspection Services
the narrows at 8 - 12 knots can make operating the equipment challenging. Patience and practice will pay off I'm sure.” Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office owns and operates a JW Fishers SeaLion-2 ROV for searches of the vast waters of Washington State. Snohomish County is located on Puget Sound, between Skagit County to the north and King County (and Seattle) to the south. Covering 2,090 square miles, it is the 13th largest county in total land area in Washington. Snohomish County’s geography includes many bodies of water from oceans to lakes and rivers. The sheriff’s
Buoy Controller System Delivers Live Data
DANTE Buoy Controller System delivers live data to U.S. IOOS The University of Washington recently deployed a new oceanographic observing buoy featuring Soundnine Inc.’s DANTE System. The new buoy was deployed February 11, 2016 in Bellingham Bay (Puget Sound) in collaboration with The Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction, UW, Western Washington University and Northwest Indian College. The DANTE controller collects data from a suite of meteorological and oceanographic instruments. Two sensors are 60 feet underwater and use S9’s Ulti-modem
February 2024
