Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program
NOAA Fisheries is not operating the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program due to a lack of available resources to fund additional observations of the southeast Alaska salmon drift gillnet fishery. We will reassess future activities as funding permits.
NOAA Fisheries is mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to measure and report on the effects of commercial fisheries on marine mammal stocks. One of the ways NOAA Fisheries gathers this information is through the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program. This program is focused on marine mammal interactions that occur in fisheries managed by the State of Alaska. Federally-managed fisheries are monitored by the North Pacific Fisheries Observer Program.
The purpose of the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program is to:
- Obtain reliable estimates of incidental serious injury and mortality of marine mammals and seabirds
- Determine the reliability of reports submitted by vessel owners and operators
- Identify changes in fishing methods or technology that may increase or decrease incidental serious injury or mortality
- Collect biological samples to support and promote scientific studies
- Record data on by-catch and discard levels of all species
Drift Gillnet Fishery Observations
Bycatch Estimation Reports
- Marine Mammal Bycatch Estimation report in the Southeast Alaska Salmon Drift Gillnet Fishery, Management Districts 6, 7a, & 8, 2012 and 2013
- Incidental Take and Interactions of Marine Mammals and Birds in the Yakutat Salmon Setnet Fishery, 2007 and 2008
- Incidental Take and Interactions of Marine Mammals and Birds in the Kodiak Island Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery, 2002 and 2005
- Incidental Catch and Interactions of Marine Mammals and Birds in the Cook Inlet Salmon Driftnet and Setnet Fisheries, 1999–2000
- Salmon Gillnet Fisheries Observer Program in Prince William Sound, 1991
- Salmon Gillnet Fisheries Observer Program in South Unimak Alaska, 1990
Program Materials
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game Management Areas 6 & 8 and Anita Bay terminal harvest
- Yakutat 2006–2007
- Kodiak 2005, 2002