Alaska Pinniped Research Program

The National Marine Fisheries Service (hereinafter, "NMFS") is responsible for the stewardship, conservation, and management of pinniped species in Alaska, including the Steller sea lion, northern fur seal, ringed seal, bearded seal, spotted seal, ribbon seal, and harbor seal. Three of these pinnipeds are listed under the Endangered Species Act: the endangered western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Steller sea lions, the threatened Arctic subspecies of ringed seals, and the threatened Beringia DPS of bearded seals. NMFS has the responsibility to foster the recovery of these ESA-listed species and research is necessary to support our recovery programs for these species. Pinniped species or populations in Alaska are listed as strategic stocks under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and/or are important as a subsistence resource to Alaska Natives and co-managed by NMFS and Alaska Native partners. Research is also an important component to successful co-management of these animals.

Beginning in fiscal year (hereinafter, “FY”) 2015, certain priority pinniped research in Alaska has been administered through competitively-funded, merit-based grants programs. This program concerns only Alaskan pinnipeds for which NMFS bears responsibility; proposals focusing on marine mammals under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not be considered for funding under this grant program. This document describes how to prepare and submit proposals for funding spanning FY 2019 – FY 2021 and how NMFS will determine which proposals will be funded.