Northwest Fisheries Science Center

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

We provide 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

We assess and study 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

We study 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

We coordinate 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