Whale Sense Logo, signifying a joint endeavor of private industry, conservation groups, and NOAA to encourage whale-watch tour operators from Maine to Virginia to practice responsible viewing.

Tagged dusky shark ready for release back to ocean.

Angela Annino of Connecticut holds up an impressive striped bass, one of New England's most popular sport fish. Recreational anglers pumped more than $31 billion into the U.S. economy in 2006.

Commercial catch of walleye pollock from the Bering Sea.

Porbeagle shark

Sandbar shark being released after measuring and taking tissue samples.

Sockeye salmon

Researchers removing very young salmon bound for the Atlantic from water-powered traps in a river.

A submersible fish cage sitting on the surface for cleaning and inspection.

Giant squid collected by NOAA off the Louisiana coast from the NOAA Ship GORDON GUNTER from a trawl at a depth of more than 1500 feet.

NOAA scientists with giant squid aboard the NOAA research vessel GORDON GUNTER.

NOAA scientists examining giant squid aboard the NOAA research vessel GORDON GUNTER off the Louisiana coast.

Hunt's Mill Dam on the Ten Mile River. A project to build a migratory fish passage was begun here to help bring back blueback herring, alewives, and American shad.

Public warning signs like these are posted in areas that have been closed due to high level of toxin in shellfish.

NOAA seafood inspectors monitoring seafood to assure that it is safe and healthy.

NOAA's new Southeast Fisheries Science Center's Pascagoula Laboratory.

Fisherman at mouth of Kennebec River.

Harmful algae Pseudo-nitzschia. This algae can adversely affect the razor clam fishery of Washington State.

Dr. Cara Fields, an Audubon Wildlife Institute veterinarian, and Matt Boasso, a biologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries , prepare to release a rehabilitated sea turtle into the Gulf of Mexico.

Dr. Brian Stacy, NOAA Fisheries veterinarian, prepares to release a sea turtle in federal waters off Louisiana.

Plastic particles are collected using a manta net that is towed on the surface of the water.

Sportfishing helps fuel coastal economies.

Gloucester fishing port at sunset

Map showing 2008 "Dead Zone" in Gulf of Mexico. Second largest dead zone with low oxygen content since measurements began in 1985.

Researches inspect survey sample of herring captured in the Lynn Canal.

Researchers removing a black rubber strap that was wrapped around the head of a juvenile bottlenose dolphin, averting a life-threatening injury.

Researchers removing a black rubber strap that was wrapped around the head of a juvenile bottlenose dolphin, averting a life-threatening injury.

John Bartlett and his father show off a pair of mahi mahi caught near Oahu. Saltwater recreational fishermen are a boon to local economies.

Young sport fisherman holding Atlantic salmon

Sport fisherman holding Atlantic salmon

Sport fishing in a dammed stream on a warm summer day

Silver carp caught by sport fisherman

Jumping carp

Globules of green algae

A zebra mussel, an invasive species that causes much damage on the Great Lakes

Zebra mussels, an invasive non-indigenous species.

Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)

Quagga and zebra mussels collected from Lake Ontario

Zebra mussels along Lake Michigan shoreline (near Ludington)

Zebra mussels.

Lake Michigan phytoplankton

Zooplankton - Diporeia sp.

Zooplankton - Diporeia sp.

Zooplankton - Amphipod Gammaridae

Zooplankton - Spiny water flea, Bythotrephes

Zooplankton - Spiny water flea, Bythotrephes

Zooplankton - Diporeia sp.

Zooplankton - Daphnia mendotae with eggs

Zooplankton - Naulpli.

Zooplankton - Walleye, larval stage