Our Location
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s functions are carried out through the coordinated efforts of research facilities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Our multidisciplinary program of basic and applied research covers the Northeast Continental Shelf Ecosystem from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras. Our Woods Hole, Massachusetts office also houses a science aquarium which is open to the public.
What We Do
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center has conducted a comprehensive marine science program in the region since 1871. We study fishery species and fisheries, monitor and model ocean ecosystems, and provide reliable advice for policy makers. Our work promotes recovery and long-term sustainability of marine life in the region, supports both wild and cultured seafood harvests, helps sustain coastal communities, and generates economic opportunities and benefits from the use of these resources.
We strive to be objective and impartial, and to provide the best science available for ocean stewardship. We work with the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office to ensure informed management decisions based on sound science.
Our Vision
To deliver exceptional science and service for a changing Atlantic.
Our Mission
To provide the scientific information and tools necessary for productive, sustainable, and healthy marine ecosystems and coastal communities in our region.
Our Values
We value people, science, and service as we carry out our mission.
Our Divisions
Ecosystems and Aquaculture
Our Ecosystems and Aquaculture Division studies the interactions between the environment and marine life to promote sustainable wild-caught and cultivated fisheries, and to conserve protected species in the Northeast Continental Shelf ecosystem.
Fishery Monitoring and Research
Our Fishery Monitoring and Research Division provides services that help maintain productive and sustainable fisheries, recover and conserve protected species like whales and endangered fish, and support healthy marine ecosystems.
Population & Ecosystems Monitoring & Analysis
Our Population and Ecosystems Monitoring and Analysis Division maintains a comprehensive data collection effort, including biological samples taken directly from fish and other sea life in our oceans. These collections provide data used to assess the status and trends of fishery resources and the dynamics of the ecological processes that control resource productivity. Over time they are an index of the fast moving changes off our coast owing to human activities and a changing climate.
Protected Species
Our Protected Species Division conducts research on endangered fish species as well as sea birds, marine turtles, seals, whales, and dolphins that live or migrate off the coast of the northeastern United States. They look at the distribution, ecological relationships, and human interactions. This science helps to ensure the conservation and recovery of these species for future generations.
Resource Evaluation and Assessment
Our Resource Evaluation and Assessment Division determines the effects of management measures on the status of fishery and protected species, and also examines the impacts of management actions on the individuals, businesses, and communities in the region that depend on these stocks.
Our Leadership



Management Team
Directorate
Jon Hare, Ph.D.
Science and Research DirectorNicole Cabana
Deputy Director-
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Chief of Staff
Sean McNally, Ph.D., Chief of Staff
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Chief of Staff
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Alyson Pitts, Strategic Advisor
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Research Communications
Teri Frady, Chief, Research Communications Branch
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Research Communications
Ecosystems and Aquaculture
Lisa Milke, Ph.D.
Director, Ecosystems & Aquaculture Division-
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Aquaculture Sustainability
Gary Wikfors, Ph.D., Lab Director - Milford, Chief, Aquaculture Sustainability Branch
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Aquaculture Sustainability
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Fisheries Ecology Branch
Ann Petersen, Ph.D., Chief, Fisheries Ecology Branch
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Fisheries Ecology Branch
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Oceanography Branch
Paula Fratantoni, Ph.D., Chief, Oceanography Branch
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Oceanography Branch
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Aquaculture Systems & Ecology
Shannon L. Meseck, PhD., Chief, Aquaculture Systems & Ecology Branch
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Aquaculture Systems & Ecology
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Habitat Ecology
James Vasslides, Ph.D., Lab Director - Sandy Hook, Chief, Habitat Ecology Branch
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Habitat Ecology
Fishery Monitoring and Research Division
Katherine McArdle
Director, Fishery Monitoring and Research - Chief, Fisheries Monitoring Operations BranchAmy Sierra Martins
Deputy Director-
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Cooperative Research
Anna Mercer, Ph.D., Cooperative Research Branch Chief, Narragansett Laboratory Director
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Cooperative Research
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Training and Data Quality
Ryan Shama, Chief, Training and Data Quality
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Training and Data Quality
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Fisheries Monitoring Operations
Katherine McArdle, Director, Fishery Monitoring and Research - Chief, Fisheries Monitoring Operations Branch
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Fisheries Monitoring Operations
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Data Information Systems
Debra Duarte, Branch Chief Data and Information Systems, Fisheries Biologist
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Data Information Systems
Population & Ecosystems Monitoring & Analysis Division
Kathryn Ford
Director, Population and Ecosystems Monitoring and Analysis Division-
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Ecosystems Surveys
Peter Chase, Chief, Ecosystems Surveys Branch
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Ecosystems Surveys
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Population Biology
Rich McBride, Ph.D., Chief, Population Biology Branch, Supervisory Research Fishery Biologist
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Population Biology
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Marine Development and Ecology Branch
Andrew Lipsky, Chief, Marine Development and Ecology Branch
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Marine Development and Ecology Branch
Protected Species Division
Sean Hayes, Ph.D.
Director, Protected SpeciesTara Trinko Lake
Deputy Director-
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Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Henry Milliken, Chief, Risk Assessment and Mitigation Branch
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Risk Assessment and Mitigation
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Conservation Ecology
Kimberly Murray, Research Fish Biologist
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Conservation Ecology
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Whale Ecology
Danielle Cholewiak, Ph.D., Chief, Whale Ecology Branch
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Whale Ecology
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Atlantic Salmon Ecosystems
John Kocik, Ph.D., Chief, Atlantic Salmon Ecosystems Branch
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Atlantic Salmon Ecosystems
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Passive Acoustics
Sofie Van Parijs, Ph.D., Chief, Passive Acoustics Branch
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Passive Acoustics
Resource Evaluation and Assessment
Michael Simpkins, Ph.D.
Director, Resource Evaluation & Assessment DivisionMichele Traver
Deputy Director-
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Ecosystem Dynamics & Assessment
Kimberly Hyde, Ph.D., Operations Research Analyst
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Ecosystem Dynamics & Assessment
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Population Dynamics
Kristan Blackhart, Chief, Population Dynamics Branch
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Population Dynamics
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Social Sciences
Tammy Murphy, PhD, Chief, Social Sciences Branch
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Social Sciences
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- Russ Brown, Ph.D., Special Projects Coordinator
Operations, Management, and Information Division
Ann Webber
Division Director-
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Acquisition, Grants, and Agreements
Kelly Taranto, Chief, Acquisitions, Grants and Agreement Branch
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Acquisition, Grants, and Agreements
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Mission and Support Branch
Nathan J Keith, Chief, Mission and Support Branch
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Mission and Support Branch
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Facility Operations
Brian Lavin, Chief, Facility Operations Branch
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Facility Operations
Information Technology Division
Kevin Portanova
Director, Information Technology Division-
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Database & Development
Heidi Marotta, Chief, Database and Development Branch
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Database & Development
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Infrastructure & Operations
Maksim “Max” Litvinskiy, Chief, Infrastructure Branch
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Infrastructure & Operations
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Project Management
Erin Kupcha, Chief, Project Management Branch
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Project Management
Other Locations
Woods Hole Lab
The Woods Hole facility is the nation’s first federal fisheries lab, established in 1871.The Science Center's directorate is located here along with the majority of stock assessment, population biology, fishery monitoring, marine mammal, and social sciences researchers. The lab also houses the nation’s oldest public aquarium, open to visitors year-round.
Sandy Hook Laboratory
The James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory is a state-of-the-art marine research facility. The primary mission of the lab is to conduct research in ecology, leading to a better understanding of both coastal and estuarine organisms and the effects of human activities on nearshore marine populations.
Milford Lab
Located on the shore of Long Island Sound, the Milford Lab’s well-integrated aquaculture program includes studies of the culture of fish and shellfish to develop methods suitable for commercial use as well as for stock enhancement and restoration. Nearshore habitats are studied to determine what characteristics make a habitat suitable for a particular species.
Narragansett Lab
At this lab, research is conducted on the effects of changing oceanographic and ecological conditions on the productivity and health of the Northeast US Continental Shelf ecosystem. Studies also are conducted on the demography and ecology of shark populations in response to oceanographic conditions to provide information for shark assessment and management.
Maine Field Station
At the Orono station, the Atlantic Salmon Ecosystems Research Team works to promote the recovery and future sustainability of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish and their ecosystems. The salmon team primarily focuses on fish in the estuarine and marine environment.
Our History
NOAA Fisheries’ first laboratory was founded in Woods Hole, Massachusetts in 1871. Since then, we have conducted a comprehensive marine science program, studying fishery species and fisheries, monitoring and modeling ocean conditions and habitats, developing aquaculture, and providing reliable advice for policymakers. Our work promotes recovery and long-term sustainability of marine life in the region and helps sustain coastal communities.
For an in-depth look at how the Fisheries started and developed in the Northeast, check out our history site!