Publications

The purpose of this document is to explain the analysis and rationale for determining whether the mortality and serious injury incidental to U. S. commercial fisheries will have a negligible impact on specific species listed as endangered under the ESA.

Authorization of groundfish fisheries under the fishery management plans for groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska management areas.

This assessment/review provides an evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic effects of alternatives to the Steller sea lion protection measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area groundfish fisheries.

Researchers possessing Endangered Species Act (ESA)/Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) permits to conduct scientific studies on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska meet at least annually to coordinate field study plans for the subsequent year, and these annual meetings also include researchers conducting studies in Canada and Russia. The primary objectives are to minimize potential disturbance to wild sea lions and maximize collaboration and sharing of samples or data, but the meeting is also a forum to discuss other research-related topics, such as national or regional Steller sea lion management issues with research implications. This meeting also partly meets coordination requirements stipulated in the issued permits.

Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program overview for 2010-2013 and beyond in the Southeast Alaska drift gillnet fishery.

Marine birds and mammals observed in the Yakutat salmon setnet fishery.

Biological opinion on the issuance of Steller sea lion and Northern fur seal research permits for federally funded research on Steller sea lions and Northern fur seals.

Researchers conducting field and captive studies on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) meet at least annually to coordinate research plans and field work. In addition to updating research findings, these meetings provide a direct means to minimize potential disturbance to sea lions in the field, and maximize collaboration and sharing of samples or data. During the past several years a coordination meeting has been held in Anchorage associated with the Alaska Marine Science Symposium because most researchers conducting Steller sea lion studies in Alaska attend. This year a second meeting was held in Seattle, which focused on the eastern distinct population segment (eDPS) in Washington, Oregon and California. Because applications for new permits to conduct Steller sea lion research authorized under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) are due in February, most of the time during meetings was dedicated to permit application issues and discussions towards ensuring proposed research would directly address recovery and conservation priorities. Though these meetings primarily address U.S. research, studies conducted in Russia and Canada were also included in discussions.

NOAA Fisheries prepared this Opinion to address impacts to the Steller sea lion resulting from two federal actions: the issuance of an IHA by NOAA Fisheries and rat eradication on Rat Island by the U.S. FWS.

Researchers permitted to conduct studies on Steller sea lions in Alaska have historically coordinated their plans to minimize disturbance to sea lions and increase collaboration to achieve objectives. Formal coordination occurs at least once per year.