Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
NOAA Fisheries annually prepares marine mammal stock assessment reports. Below are the draft 2020 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports.
2020 Draft Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
- Alaska Draft Marine Mammal Stock Assessments (PDF, 247 pages)
- U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Draft Marine Mammal Stock Assessment (PDF, 496 pages)
- U.S. Pacific Draft Marine Mammal Stock Assessment (PDF, 180 pages)
NOAA Fisheries prepares marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) annually, as directed by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The reports are prepared in consultation with one or more of three regional Scientific Review Groups (SRGs). We are currently accepting public comments on our 2020 draft Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports by March 9, 2021.
NOAA Fisheries currently tracks 246 stocks of marine mammals with stock assessment reports; we are seeking public comment on 2020 draft assessments for 84 stocks.
In the 2020 draft reports, five stocks changed in status from ‘non-strategic’ to ‘strategic’ (Eastern Bering Sea beluga whale, Gulf of Maine humpback whale, Gulf of Mexico spinner dolphin, Gulf of Mexico striped dolphin, and Gulf of Mexico Clymene dolphin stocks). Strategic Stock is defined by the MMPA as a marine mammal stock:
- for which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds the potential biological removal level;
- which, based on the best available scientific information, is declining and is likely to be listed as a threatened species under the ESA within the foreseeable future; or
- which is listed as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA, or is designated as depleted under the MMPA.
