National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries completed a research mission in July in partnership with local fishermen to better understand fish populations across the Mariana Islands. From July 7 to July 21, 2025, scientists and anglers worked together to collect key data on how fish in the region grow, age, and reproduce.
The expedition, conducted aboard the NOAA ship Oscar Elton Sette, departed Apra Harbor, Guam, on July 7. The team surveyed waters from Anatahan to Uracas (Farallon de Pajaros), with a focus on bottomfish species such as snappers, groupers, and jacks. These species play a crucial role in commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishing in the islands.
Researchers gathered information on fish life history—such as growth rates, lifespans, and reproduction cycles—as well as conducted annual plankton surveys to examine fish larvae. These surveys, which used fine-mesh nets lowered to depths of 100 meters, provided insight into where young fish are located, how abundant they are, and how they respond to environmental changes. The findings will support stock assessments that inform sustainable catch limits and long-term management of marine resources.
NOAA scientists Eric Cruz and Erin Bohaboy unhook a colorful gindai (oblique-banded snapper), caught by local fisherman Lino Tenorio. Blending local know-how and fisheries science is helping NOAA Fisheries better understand fish stocks in the Mariana Islands. Image dredit: Benjamin Richards, NOAA Fisheries
“This collaboration combines local fishing knowledge with science, making our research stronger and more relevant,” said Eva Schemmel, a NOAA Fisheries fish biologist.
Three local fishermen—Audrey Toves, James Roberto, and Lino Tenorio—joined the two-week mission as part of NOAA’s effort to integrate traditional fishing practices with scientific research. They fished alongside NOAA scientists, who collected biological samples such as otoliths and gonads to study fish age and reproduction.
According to NOAA, the data gathered during the expedition will help strengthen sustainable fishing practices, improve understanding of fish populations across the Mariana Islands, and support the resilience of local ecosystems and communities.
William-José Vélez González is a native from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and a graduate from Florida International University in biomedical engineering, engineering management, and international relations. A designer with a strong interest in science, policy, and innovation, he previously served as the national executive vice president of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association. William-José lives in Washington, DC, where he works at the Children's National Research Institute and runs Opsin, a nonprofit design studio dedicated to making design more accessible. You can see him on Love is Blind as Lydia's brother. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of Pasquines.
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