NOAA Atlantic Scientific Review Group Opens Nominations

The National Marine Fisheries Services published in the Federal Register a notice and invitations for nominations for a regional scientific review groups to advise the Secretary of Commerce through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on marine mammal science issues as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The Atlantic Scientific Review Group (SRG) advises on marine mammals that occur in waters off the Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. Territories in the Caribbean, including:

1. Population estimates and the population status and trends of marine mammal stocks;
2. Uncertainties and research needed regarding stock separation, abundance, or trends, and factors affecting the distribution, size, or productivity of the stock;
3. Uncertainties and research needed regarding the species, number, ages, gender, and reproductive status of marine mammals;
4. Research needed to identify modifications in fishing gear and practices likely to reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals in commercial fishing operations;
5. The actual, expected, or potential impacts of habitat destruction, including marine pollution and natural environmental change, on specific marine mammal species or stocks, and for strategic stocks, appropriate conservation or management measures to alleviate any such impacts; and
6. Any other issue which the Secretary or the groups consider appropriate.