Scientists from the Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering (MACE) Program of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center's (AFSC) Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering (RACE) Division routinely conduct acoustic-trawl (AT) stock assessment surveys in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) during late winter and early spring to estimate the distribution and abundance of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus).

Benthic samples were collected between 2009-2012 in the Bering Sea to study Essential Fish Habitat. Station locations were at or near fixed stations of the AFSC bottom trawl survey. Granulometry of surficial sediment and infauna communities were analyzed.

Nonmarket valuation research has produced economic value estimates for a variety of threatened, endangered, and rare species around the world. Although over 40 value estimates exist, it is often difficult to compare values from different studies due to variations in study design, implementation, and modeling specifications. We conducted a stated preference choice experiment to estimate the value of recovering or downlisting multiple threatened and endangered marine species in the United States.

This photo collection contains identification and other images and video of Hawaiian monk seals taken by PSD personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing monk seal population assessment efforts. Searchable digital photo databases were developed for each breeding location in 2002 and were in near final form by 2003 and contain individual ID photos, survival factors, necropsy photos, archives, and miscellaneous images.

This project investigates foraging behavior of Hawaiian monk seals by conducting telemetry studies. During these studies, live seals are instrumented with dive recorders, cell phone tags, and other instruments to determine foraging locations and dive and foraging behavior. These data document the deployment of telemetry tags on Hawaiian monk seals.

This project investigates foraging behavior of Hawaiian monk seals by conducting telemetry studies. During these studies, live seals are instrumented with dive recorders, crittercams, and other instruments to determine foraging locations and dive and foraging behavior.

Metadata collected during UAS flights for Hawaiian monk seal research purposes. This dataset includes date, time, location, duration, platform type, and other attributes of the operations themselves and data collected on UAS flight disturbance to seabirds and seals. This does not reflect data collected from packages onboard the UAS platform such as photos, video, LIDAR or other.

Infectious disease has the potential to pose serious risk to Hawaiian Monk Seal populations. HMSRP is currently researching and evaluating methods to minimize disease threats to this endangered population, including potential vaccination programs. Observation of seal behavior and social interactions will provide information critical to understanding contact rates between animals which will aid our efforts modeling epidemiological processes and planning vaccination or other disease risk mitigation strategies.

As social media platforms develop, they potentially provide valuable information for wildlife researchers and managers. NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program (HMSRP) is exploring how social media can help scientists understand the biology, ecology and threats to this endangered species. By using the media sharing and social networking service Instagram, we extracted pertinent data while disseminating information and inspiring support for Hawaiian monk seals.

Each sample that is received by NSIL is assigned a laboratory number and a case file is initiated by the sample custodian. The case file will contain all relevant paperwork for that sample including the sample submission sheet, laboratory raw data worksheets, the final results report and any other relevant documentation. The sample custodian enters the client information into the NSIL Sample tracking system (Sample receipt database) and generates appropriate client and sample receipt information.