Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
NOAA Fisheries annually prepares marine mammal stock assessment reports. Below are the final 2024 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports.
Final 2024 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
- Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessments (PDF, 340 pages)
- U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of America Marine Mammal Stock Assessments (PDF, 221 pages)
- U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments (PDF, 72 pages)
NOAA Fisheries prepares marine mammal stock assessment reports 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.
NOAA Fisheries currently maintains stock assessment reports for 261 marine mammal stocks, of which 21 revised reports are included for the 2024 cycle. The final 2024 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports are published in the Federal Register.
NOAA Fisheries released the draft reports for public review and comment, which concluded in June 2025. The Federal Register Notice includes responses to the substantive comments received.
Stocks are classified under two categories: “strategic” and “non-strategic.” A strategic stock is defined as at least one of the following:
- A marine mammal stock for which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds the potential biological removal level
- A stock which, based on the best scientific information available, is declining and is likely to be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act within the foreseeable future
- A stock which is listed as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, or is designated as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act