U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine mammal stock assessments, 1995

The MMPA requires NMFS and USFWS to review stock assessment reports on marine mammal species annually for strategic stocks of marine mammals and at least every three years for stocks of marine mammals determined to be non-strategic. in consultation with regional Scientific Review Groups (SRGs). The SRGs are a broad representation of marine mammal and fishery scientists and members of the commercial fishing industry mandated to review the marine mammal stock assessments and provide advice to the NOAA Assistant Administrator for fisheries. The reports are then made available on the Federal Register for public review and comment before final publication.

Following enactment of the 1994 amendments, the NMFS and USFWS held a series of workshops to develop guidelines for preparing the SARs. The first set of stock assessments for the Atlantic Coast (including the Gulf of Mexico) were published in July 1995 in the NOAA Technical Memorandum series (Blaylock et al. 1995). In April 1996, NMFS held a workshop to review proposed additions and revisions to the guidelines for preparing SARs (Wade and Angliss 1997). Guidelines developed at these and subsequent workshops were followed in preparing the SARs.

In 1997 and 2004 SARs were not produced.

To comply with the MMPA by providing stock assessments of marine mammals at an appropriate time period .

Each report includes:

Description of the stock's geographic range.

Minimum population estimate.

Current population trends.

Current and maximum net productivity rates.

Potential Biological Removal levels.

Status of the stock.

Estimates of annual human-caused mortality and serious injury by source.

Descriptions of other factors that may be causing a decline or impeding the recovery of strategic stocks.

How the Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports Are Developed

Data collection, analysis, and interpretation are conducted through marine mammal research programs at each of our Fisheries Science Centers and by other researchers.

The MMPA provides broad narrative descriptions of what has to be included in stock assessment reports. For example, the reports require a "minimum population estimate" which means we have "reasonable" assurance there are at least the estimated number in the population

TY -

A2 - Southeast Fisheries Science Center (U.S.)

AB - "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) were required to produce stock assessment reports for all marine mammal stocks in waters within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone under the1994 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This document contains the stock assessment reports for the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine mammal stocks under NMFS jurisdiction. Marine mammal species which are under the management jurisdiction of the USFWS are not included in this report. The Sea Sampling Investigations Unit at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the Oceanic Pelagic Resources Division at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center Miami Laboratory provided marine mammal by-catch and fisheries effort data. The Southeast U.S. Marine Mammal Stranding Network provided data on stranded marine mammals in the NMFS Southeast Region and information on stranded marine mammals in the NMFS Northeast Region was provided by the NMFS Northeast Regional Office. Amy Woodhead produced the cover illustration and Mary Nuñez proof-read the final draft. The authors wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the Atlantic Scientific Review Group which provided the authors with constructive criticism of the draft assessment reports. Members of the Atlantic Scientific Review Group who reviewed draft assessment reports are: Solange Brault, Joseph DeAlteris, James R. Gilbert, Michael J. Harris, Robert D. Kenney, James G. Mead, Daniel K. Odell, Andrew J. Read, and Randall S. Wells. Their comments greatly improved the quality of the reports. The authors also appreciate the thoughtful reviews and comments of the Marine Mammal Commission, the Humane Society of the United States, and the NMFS Southeast and Northeast Regional Offices. The exhaustive review and comments of Paul Wade of NMFS Office of Protected Resources greatly improved the technical quality of the reports. Any omissions or errors are the sole responsibility of the authors. This is a working document and individual stock assessment reports will be updated as new information becomes available and as changes to marine mammal stocks and fisheries occur; therefore, each stock assessment report is intended to be a stand alone document. The authors solicit any new information or comments which would improve future stock assessment reports. This is Southeast Fisheries Science Center Contribution MIA-94/95-3"--Preface.

AB - by Robert A. Blaylock, James W. Hain, Larry J. Hansen, Debra L. Palka, and Gordon T. Warin, with contributions from Kathryn Bisack, Mark Bravington, Simon Northridge, Janeen Quintal, Belinda Rubenstein, and Amy Williams

AB - "July 1995."

AB - Also available online in PDF format via the NOAA Central Libraries.

AB - Includes bibliographical references (pages 208-209).

AU - Blaylock, Robert A.

AU - Hain, James W.

AU - Hansen, Larry J. (Larry Joseph)

AU - Palka, Debra L., 1959-

AU - Waring, Gordon T.

AU - Bisack, Kathryn D.

AU - Bravington, M. (Mark)

AU - Northridge, Simon P.

AU - Quintal, Janeen M.

AU - Rubenstein, Belinda

AU - Williams, Amy Sierra

AN - noaa:9168

KW - Geographical distribution

KW - Marine mammals

KW - Marine mammals

KW - Geographical distribution

PY - 1995

T3 - NOAA technical memorandum NMFS-SEFSC ; 363

TI - U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine mammal stock assessments

M3 - Technical Memorandum

UR - https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/9168

ER -