Our Location
The Pacific Northwest is known for its stunning marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Mountain ranges, rainforests, estuaries, and rocky shorelines give way to an underwater landscape supporting a diverse web of species, from the iconic orca to microscopic algae. Protecting these resources is critical to sustaining our coastal economy, public health, and quality of life. The Northwest Fisheries Science Center, with its headquarters in Seattle, Washington and five research stations in Washington and Oregon is home to more than 350 people with a wide range of expertise. Our region includes the eastern Pacific Ocean off the West Coast, as well as the freshwater rivers of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Our Vision
Visit any part of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center and you will find a place teeming with smart, talented people. We are passionate about producing high-quality science in support of the NOAA Fisheries mission and in service of the public good. We are proud stewards of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem.
What We Do
The scientists at NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center conduct research to support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, protect and recover endangered species, guide restoration of habitat, and maintain healthy communities and the ecosystems they rely on.
We work with our NOAA Fisheries counterpart, the West Coast Region, to:
- Manage more than 90 commercially important fish species.
- Recover more than 30 threatened and endangered fish and marine mammal species.
- Identify and mitigate coastal and ocean health risks.
We also work with the Southwest Fisheries Science Center to inform management decisions on the stewardship of the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem.
Our Science Divisions
Conservation Biology
The Conservation Biology Division provides the scientific foundation for the conservation of whales, salmon, other marine species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.
We are guided by mandates of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and international agreements.
Our primary focus is aiding the recovery of at-risk species such as Pacific salmon and Southern Resident killer whales and the conservation of the marine ecosystems.
Environmental and Fisheries Science
The Environmental and Fisheries Science Division assesses and studies ways to reduce natural and human-caused impacts on environmental and human health, and to promote sustainable wild-caught and hatchery-raised fisheries.
We examine environmental conditions and the impacts of chemical contaminants, marine biotoxins, and pathogens on fish, protected species, habitat quality, seafood safety, and human health.
Fish Ecology
The Fish Ecology Division studies the ecological links between fish and their habitats.
We investigate factors that influence growth, distribution, and survival of commercially and culturally important fish such as Pacific salmon, hake, and lamprey.
We work with local management agencies to evaluate stream, river, and watershed restoration efforts to help recover salmon stocks listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring
The Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division coordinates the Center's programs for fisheries monitoring, fisheries data management, fisheries interactions, fish life history studies, and stock assessment.
We collect and analyze information on the approximately 90 groundfish species regulated under the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Groundfish Fishery Management Plan.
We collect these data on West Coast groundfish and their habitats by conducting field surveys, debriefing observers, and analyzing samples in the lab.
We explore the economic impact of both commercial and recreational fishing and complete stock assessments. These are used to evaluate the status of important West Coast groundfish species.
Our Leadership and Support Divisions
Office of the Science Director
The Office of the Science Director provides overall leadership and coordination for the Center's science programs.
We ensure that adequate resources are available to accomplish research priorities and that the Center's science is reliable and responsive to regional and national management needs.
We also oversee collaborative partnerships and manage small scientific programs in emerging areas.
Operations, Management, and Information Division
The Operations, Management, and Information Division provides administrative services and infrastructure to support the Center’s scientific programs.
Our services include:
- Scientific data management
- Budget formulation and implementation
- Human resources management
- Information technology
- Facilities management
- Grants
Our Leadership


Management Team
Conservation Biology Division
Shallin Busch, Ph.D.
Conservation Biology Division DirectorKathleen Neely
Acting Division Coordinator-
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Ecosystem Science Program
Jameal Samhouri, Ph.D., Ecosystem Science Program Manager
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Ecosystem Science Program
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Genetics and Evolution Program
Krista Nichols, Ph.D., Genetics and Evolution Program Manager
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Genetics and Evolution Program
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Mathematical Biology and Systems Monitoring Program
Chris Jordan, Ph.D., Mathematical Biology and Systems Monitoring Program Manager
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Mathematical Biology and Systems Monitoring Program
Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division
Laura Hoberecht, Ph.D.
Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division DirectorCathy A. Laetz
Acting Division Coordinator-
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Aquaculture and Marine Finfish and Shellfish Biology Program
Ken Cain, Program Manager
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Aquaculture and Marine Finfish and Shellfish Biology Program
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Ecotoxicology Program
Vacant (Ecotoxicology), Program Manager
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Ecotoxicology Program
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Environmental Chemistry Program
Irvin Schultz, Ph.D., Environmental Chemistry Program Manager
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Environmental Chemistry Program
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Environmental Physiology Program
Adam Luckenbach, Ph.D., Environmental Physiology Program Manager
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Environmental Physiology Program
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Fisheries Enhancement and Conservation Program
Barry Berejikian, Ph.D., Fisheries Enhancement and Conservation Program Manager and Manchester Station Chief
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Fisheries Enhancement and Conservation Program
Fish Ecology Division
Scott Hecht, Ph.D.
Fish Ecology Division DirectorSandra L. Downing, Ph.D.
Fish Ecology Division Coordinator-
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Ecosystem Analysis Program
Beth Sanderson, Ph.D., Ecosystem Analysis Program Manager
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Ecosystem Analysis Program
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Estuarine and Ocean Ecology Program
Kym C. Jacobson, Ph.D., Program Manager
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Estuarine and Ocean Ecology Program
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Watershed Program
Vacant (Watershed), Watershed Program Manager
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Watershed Program
Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division
Craig Russell
Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division Director-
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Economic and Social Science Research Program
Leif Anderson, Ph.D., Economic and Social Science Research Program Manager
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Economic and Social Science Research Program
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Fisheries Observation Science Program
Jon McVeigh, Fisheries Observation Science Program Manager
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Fisheries Observation Science Program
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Groundfish Ecology Program
Vacant (Groundfish), Groundfish Ecology Program Manager
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Groundfish Ecology Program
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Population Ecology Program
Kristin Marshall, Ph.D., Population Ecology Program Manager
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Population Ecology Program
Operations, Management, and Information Division
Scott Burkart
Acting OMI Director-
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Administrative Services
Dean Mark, Acting Program Manager
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Administrative Services
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Facilities Management
Thanh (Minh) Trinh, Facilities Program Manager
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Facilities Management
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Financial Services Program
Chris Luecken, Acting Program Lead
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Financial Services Program
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Information Technology Program
Anthony Yang, Program Manager
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Information Technology Program
Science Directorate Division
Jeremy D. Rusin
Science DirectorVacant (Deputy Director)
Deputy Science and Research Director-
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Science Synthesis and Coordination
Rick Methot, Ph.D., Science Synthesis and Coordination Program Manager
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Science Synthesis and Coordination
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Scientific Communications Program
Vacant (Communications), Program Manager
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Scientific Communications Program
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Capital Investments Program
Vacant (Capital Investments), Program Manager
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Capital Investments Program