Scientific Review Groups

NOAA Fisheries conducted a membership review of the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific SRGs, and is soliciting nominations for new members to fill vacancies and gaps in expertise. Nomination packages are due by October 12, 2023.

The Scientific Review Groups advise NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on:

• The marine mammal stock assessment reports.
• Abundance estimates, status, and trends of marine mammal stocks.
• Uncertainties in identifying stocks, assessing the status or trends of stocks, and evaluating factors affecting the distribution, abundance, or productivity of the stocks.
• Research to address these uncertainties regarding marine mammals and to reduce incidental mortality of marine mammals incidental to fishing operations.
• Issues related to habitats for marine mammals and the effects of natural or anthropogenic (human-caused) change to habitats.
• Other issues that the groups or agencies deem appropriate.

Scientific Review Groups advise on the status of marine mammal stocks within three areas:

• Alaskan waters.
• Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico.
• Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii.

Find marine mammal stock assessment reports by region

Terms of Reference

The Scientific Review Group Terms of Reference (PDF, 16 pages) outlines roles and responsibilities, membership, and terms of service.

Minutes/Reports from Joint SRG Meetings

February 2016 Joint Meeting (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 26 pages)
• 2016 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 34 pages)

January 2008 Joint Meeting (Monterey, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 22 pages)

April 1999 Joint Meeting (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 27 pages)

October 1994 Joint Meeting (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 17 pages)
  • U.S. Marine Mammal Stock Assessments:
    Guidelines for Preparation, Background, and a Summary of the 1995 Assessments (PDF, 80 pages)

Alaska Scientific Review Group

The Alaska SRG advises NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on stocks of marine mammals that occur in waters off Alaska that are under the jurisdiction of the United States. These stocks include:

• Dolphins
• Porpoise
• Small and large whales
• Sea lions
• Seals
• Sea otters (U.S. FWS jurisdiction)
• Polar bears (U.S. FWS jurisdiction)
• Walrus (U.S. FWS jurisdiction)

Key conservation issues for marine mammals in Alaska include:

• "Take" in commercial fisheries.
• Loss of sea ice due to climate change.
• Disturbance and habitat modification related to coastal development.
• Entanglement in marine debris.
• Take of marine mammals by Alaska Natives for subsistence and handicraft purposes.

Members

• Maille Branson, Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
• John Citta, North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management
• Elizabeth Concepcion, Alaska Seafood Cooperative
• Thomas Doniol-Valcroze, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Michelle Fournet, University of New Hampshire
• Donna Hauser, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Greg O’Corry-Crowe, Florida Atlantic University, (Acting Co-Chair)
• Megan Peterson Williams, Ocean Conservancy, (Acting Co-Chair)
• Lori Quakenbush, State of Alaska
• Eric Regehr, University of Washington
• Kate Stafford, Oregon State University
• Nicole Wojciechowski, North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management

Alaska SRG Meeting Minutes and Correspondence

April 2023 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 29 pages)
• 2023 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 7 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 5 pages)

July 2022 Inter-Sessional Call on Humpback Whales

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 6 pages)

March 2022

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 24 pages)
• 2022 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 7 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 11 pages)

March 2021 (Virtual)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 30 pages)
• 2021 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 5 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 9 pages)

February 2020 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 23 pages)
• 2020 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 5 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 11 pages)

February 2019 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 22 pages)
• 2019 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 6 pages)

February 2018 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 28 pages)
• 2018 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 4 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 6 pages)

February 2017 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 34 pages)
• 2017 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 4 pages)

February 2016 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 32 pages)
• 2016 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 5 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 3 pages)

February 2015 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 37 pages)
• 2015 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 4 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 2 pages)

March 2014 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 34 pages)
• 2014 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 5 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 5 pages)

March 2013 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 30 pages)
• 2013 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 8 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 6 pages)

July 2012 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 27 pages)
• 2012 Recommendations Letter (PDF, 8 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 3 pages)

February 2010 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 33 pages)
• SRG Letter to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 7 pages)
• SRG Letter on Harbor Seal Stocks (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 3 pages)

January 2009 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 33 pages)

January 2008 (Monterey, California, following Joint SRG meeting)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 27 pages)
• SRG Letter on Harbor Seals (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 1 page)
• Joint Meeting Report (PDF, 22 pages)

January 2007 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 25 pages)
• SRG Recommendations, February 2007 (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 2 pages)
• SRG Letter on Observers (PDF, 4 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 2 pages)
• SRG Letter on Harbor Seals (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 1 page)
• SRG 2007 Recommendations (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 1 page)

January 2006 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 22 pages)

November 2004 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 53 pages)

November 2003 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 36 pages)

March 2003 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 23 pages)

March 2002 (Juneau, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 24 pages)

November 2001 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 36 pages)

March 2000 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 53 pages)

October 1999 (Juneau, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 42 pages)

April 1999 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 16 pages)

November 1998 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 33 pages)

June 1998 (Juneau, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 61 pages)

October 1997 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 40 pages)

May 1997 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 41 pages)

September 1996 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 24 pages)

February 1995 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 21 pages)

January 1995 (Anchorage, Alaska)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 30 pages)

Atlantic Scientific Review Group

The Atlantic SRG advises NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on marine mammals along the Atlantic coast, Gulf Coast, and U.S. Territories in the Caribbean.

Marine mammals in this area include:

• Porpoise
• Dolphins
• Small and large whales
• Seals
• Manatees (U.S. FWS jurisdiction)

Key conservation issues for marine mammals in the Atlantic region include:

• "Take" incidental to commercial and recreational fisheries.
• Disturbance and habitat modification related to human development and activities in all coastal areas.
• Entanglement in marine debris.
• Contaminants and pollution.

Scientific advice on marine mammals in the Caribbean is inhibited by relatively little directed research and monitoring in the waters surrounding U.S. Territories.

Members

• Robert Bonde, U.S. Geological Survey (retired)
• Yong Chen, University of Maine
• Robert Kenney, University of Rhode Island
• Francine Kershaw, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. 
• John Lawson, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Richard Merrick
• Erin Meyer-Gutbrod, University of South Carolina
• Genevieve Nesslage, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
• Kathryn Ono, University of New England
• James Powell, Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Chair)
• Arturo Serrano-Solis, Universidad Veracruzana (Veracruz University)
• Sarah Sharp, International Fund for Animal Welfare
• Ana Sirovic, Norwegian University of Science and Technology8
• Erin Summers, Maine Department of Marine Resources
• Len Thomas, University of St. Andrews
• Lesley Thorne, State University of New York at Stony Brook
• Randall Wells, Chicago Zoological Society

Atlantic SRG Meeting Minutes and Correspondence

February 2023 (Bayamón, Puerto Rico)

• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 9 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 10 pages)

February 2022 (Virtual)

• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 9 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 11 pages)

February 2021 (Virtual)

• Meeting minutes (PDF, 37 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 10 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 16 pages)

February 2020 (Sarasota, Florida)

• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 7 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 10 pages)

May 2019 (Woods Hole, Massachusetts)

• Meeting minutes (PDF, 22 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 4 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 8 pages)

February 2018 (Sarasota, Florida)

• Meeting minutes (PDF, 19 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 4 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 6 pages)
• Recommendations to U.S. FWS (PDF, 2 pages)

February 2017 (Narragansett, Rhode Island)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 25 pages)
• Recommendations to U.S. FWS (PDF, 4 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 4 pages)

February 2016 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 23 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 5 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 8 pages)

February 2015 (Jacksonville, Florida)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 24 pages)   
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 5 pages)

February 2014 (Woods Hole, Massachusetts)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 18 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 3 pages)

March 2013 (St. Petersburg, Florida)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 18 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 5 pages)

February 2012 (Sarasota, Florida)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 24 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 3 pages)

February 2011 (Boston, Massachusetts)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 20 pages)

February 2010 (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 32 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 1 page)

February 2009 (St. Petersburg, Florida)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 30 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 1 page)

January 2008 (Monterey, California following Joint SRG meeting)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 25 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 3 pages)

January 2007 (Jacksonville, Florida)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 33 pages)
• Recommendations to NOAA Fisheries (PDF, 1 page)
  • NOAA Fisheries Response (PDF, 1 page)

December 2004 (Sarasota, Florida)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 29 pages)

May 2003 (Appledore Island, Maine)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 15 pages)

November 2002 (New Orleans, Louisiana)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 27 pages)

May 2002 (Woods Hole, Massachusetts)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 17 pages)

November 2001 (Narragansett, Rhode Island)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 21 pages)

November 2000 (La Parguera, Puerto Rico)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 37 pages)

November 1999 (Woods Hole, Massachusetts)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 20 pages)

January 1999 (Seattle, Washington - Joint)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 27 pages)

May 1998 (Sarasota, Florida)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 5 pages)

November 1997 (Charleston, South Carolina)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 12 pages)

May 1997 (New Orleans, Louisiana)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 5 pages)

October 1996 (Gloucester, Massachusetts)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 11 pages)

May 1996 (Charleston, South Carolina)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 11 pages)

December 1995 (Orlando, Florida)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 12 pages)

January 1995 (Woods Hole, Massachusetts)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 12 pages)

Pacific Scientific Review Group

The Pacific SRG advises NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on marine mammals in waters along the West Coast of the United States, within waters surrounding the main and Northwest Hawaiian Islands, and within waters surrounding U.S. Territories in the Western Pacific.

Marine mammals in this area include:

• Seals
• Sea lions
• Porpoise
• Dolphins
• Small and large whales
• Sea otters, off the coasts of California and Washington (U.S. FWS jurisdiction)

Key conservation issues for marine mammals in the Pacific Region include

• "Take" incidental to commercial fishing.
• Disturbance and habitat modification due to coastal development.
• Entanglement in marine debris.
• Seal and sea lion (pinniped) interactions with humans.
• Predation on threatened and endangered salmonids.

There has been a long-term research and monitoring project on Hawaiian monk seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and a photo-id study on cetaceans surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands, but information on other marine mammals throughout Pacific Islands areas is limited.

Members

• Robin Baird, Cascadia Research Collective
• Scott Baker, Oregon State University
• John Brandon, ICF International, Inc.
• Simone Baumann-Pickering, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego
• Lars Bejder, University of Hawaii
• Douglas DeMaster, consultant
• Chris Free, University of California Santa Barbara
• Matt Leslie, U.S. Geological Survey
• Leslie New, Washington State University
• M. Tim Tinker, University of California Santa Cruz
• Leigh Torres, Oregon State University

Pacific SRG Meeting Minutes and Correspondence

March 2023

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 41 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 9 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 10 pages)

March 2022

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 26 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 6 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 11 pages)

March 2021

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 40 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 5 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 9 pages)

March 2020

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 19 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 7 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 13 pages)

March 2019

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 20 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 6 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 11 pages)

March 2018 (La Jolla, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 21 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 8 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 13 pages)

February 2017 (Honolulu, Hawaii)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 27 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 8 pages)

February 2016 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 17 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 9 pages)

March 2015 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 22 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 9 pages)

October 2014 - Webinar and Conference Call

• Call Summary (PDF, 5 pages)

April 2014 (Honolulu, Hawaii)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 28 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 27 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 4 pages)

April 2013 (Del Mar, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 24 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 6 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 4 pages)

November 2011 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes and Recommendations (PDF, 25 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 4 pages)

November 2010 (Kona, Hawaii)

• Meeting Minutes and Recommendations (PDF, 21 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 4 pages)

November 2009 (Del Mar, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 20 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 2 pages)

November 2008 (Maui, Hawaii)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 16 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 2 pages)

January 2008 (Monterey, California following Joint SRG meeting)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 13 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 3 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 2 pages)

November 2006 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 13 pages)
• Recommendations Letter (PDF, 2 pages)
  • NOAA Fisheries Reply (PDF, 2 pages)

November 2005 (Honolulu, Hawaii)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 21 pages)

January 2005 (Santa Cruz, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 17 pages)

November 2003 (La Jolla, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 26 pages)

November 2002 (Maui, Hawaii)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 20 pages)

January 2002 (La Jolla, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 22 pages)

November 2000 (Astoria, Oregon)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 19 pages)

December 1999 (Maui, Hawaii)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 16 pages)

April 1999 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 10 pages)

November 1998 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 16 pages)

March 1998 (Honolulu, Hawaii)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 15 pages)

October 1997 (La Jolla, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 17 pages)

May 1997 (Seattle, Washington)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 29 pages)

July 1996 (La Jolla, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 13 pages)

April 1995 (Kaanapali, Hawaii)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 18 pages)

December 1994 (La Jolla, California)

• Meeting Minutes (PDF, 15 pages)

More Information

• Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports by Region
• Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports by Species/Stock 
• Marine Mammal Stock Assessments Overview
• Population Assessments
• Marine Mammal Protection