Open Ocean

Are you interested in learning more about Open Ocean restoration and providing your insights on topics for future public engagement? The Open Ocean Trustees are hosting a webinar on April 29, 2021 where we’ll give updates on our work, including the recent call for project ideas for Birds and Sturgeon, and ask for feedback on ways to help improve our public engagement around our activities.

The webinar is open to everyone; we encourage your attendance and participation.

During this meeting, we will present updates and ask for feedback on several topics for the Open Ocean Restoration Area incl

After four successful years, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and NOAA entered  the fifth year of the Deepwater Horizon Oceanic Fish Restoration Project. This 2021 season began on January 1 and will end June 30.

Eleven fishermen from Florida and Louisiana are participating. They’re stepping up to take a voluntary break from pelagic longline fishing. They’ll also have options to use alternative gear that reduces bycatch of non-target species to continue to bring fish to market.

The six-month break from fishing and reduction in bycatch provided by alternative gear are helping to

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group held its annual public meeting via an interactive webinar on November 5, 2020.

During the meeting, we presented information on Open Ocean Restoration Area projects and monitoring and adaptive management activities. We also provided updates on partnerships, outreach and engagement.

The presentation was followed by a question and answer period where attendees’ questions were answered by Trustee staff.

Materials from the webinar include:

• 2020 Annual Meeting Presentation Slides (PDF, 24 pages)
• 2020 Annual Meeting Presentation Script (PDF, 11 pages

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group will hold its annual public meeting via an interactive webinar on November 5, 2020. The webinar is open to everyone; we encourage your attendance and participation.

During this meeting, we will present updates on the Open Ocean Restoration Area’s restoration and monitoring and adaptive management activities. We’ll also provide an opportunity for questions and answers after the updates are presented.

• Date: November 5, 2020
• Time: 11:00 a.m. – noon CT
• Registration: Please register for the webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register

On July 22, 2020 the Open Ocean Restoration Area Trustees held a webinar to present the updated Open Ocean Monitoring and Adaptive Management Strategy released in June. The webinar included an overview of initial priorities for monitoring  and adaptive management and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

  The priorities, informed by stakeholder input obtained during a workshop and outreach event,  are:

1. Evaluation of restoration outcomes and progress.
2. Characteristics of key stressors on open ocean resources.
3. Assessment of focal open ocean resources and important habitats.

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Help is on the way for common loons thanks to a project approved by the Open Ocean Trustees in their first post-settlement restoration plan. Common loons nest around Minnesota’s lakes each year after the spring thaw. Each winter, they migrate south, including to the Gulf of Mexico, where many were injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  

The loon restoration project aims to help restore the bird population in a number of ways, including by reducing exposure to lead-based fishing tackle. Other parts of the project include acquiring loon breeding habitat and providing nesting platforms.

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The Trustee Council will hold its fifth annual public meeting via webinar this year due to current nationwide health concerns. The meeting date is July 16, 2020. The webinar is open to everyone and we encourage your attendance and participation.

During this meeting, we will present updates on the progress made by the Trustee Council and in each of the seven Restoration Areas. This meeting will also serve as the annual public meeting for the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group. We’ll also provide an opportunity for public comments after the updates are presented.

A number of fact sheets