Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Marine science in service to the public in partnership with others since 1871

Our Location

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Northeast Fisheries Science Center lab locations.

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s functions are carried out through the coordinated efforts of research facilities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Our multidisciplinary program of basic and applied research covers the Northeast Continental Shelf Ecosystem from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras. Our Woods Hole, Massachusetts office also houses a science aquarium which is open to the public.

What We Do

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center has conducted a comprehensive marine science program in the region since 1871. We study fishery species and fisheries, monitor and model ocean ecosystems, and provide reliable advice for policy makers. Our work promotes recovery and long-term sustainability of marine life in the region, supports both wild and cultured seafood harvests, helps sustain coastal communities, and generates economic opportunities and benefits from the use of these resources.

We strive to be objective and impartial, and to provide the best science available for ocean stewardship. We work with the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office to ensure informed management decisions based on sound science. Please see our 2020 Strategic Plan for detailed information.

Our Vision

To deliver exceptional science and service for a changing Atlantic​.

Our Mission

To provide the scientific information and tools necessary for productive, sustainable, and healthy marine ecosystems and coastal communities in our region.

Our Values

We value people, science, and service as we carry out our mission.

Learn more about the workplace culture we support (pdf, 1 page).

Annual Guidance Memo

Our leadership provides annual guidance on activities that take place every year. View and download our current Annual Guidance Memo.

Our Divisions

Ecosystems and Aquaculture

Our Ecosystems and Aquaculture Division studies the interactions between the environment and marine life to promote sustainable wild-caught and cultivated fisheries, and to conserve protected species in the Northeast Continental Shelf ecosystem.

Fishery Monitoring and Research

Our Fishery Monitoring and Research Division provides services that help maintain productive and sustainable fisheries, recover and conserve protected species like whales and endangered fish,  and support healthy marine ecosystems.

Population & Ecosystems Monitoring & Analysis

Our Population and Ecosystems Monitoring and Analysis Division maintains a comprehensive data collection effort, including  biological samples taken directly from fish and other sea life in our oceans. These collections provide data used to assess the status and trends of fishery resources and the dynamics of the ecological processes that control resource productivity. Over time they are an index of the fast moving changes off our coast owing to human activities and a changing climate.

Protected Species

Our Protected Species Division conducts research on endangered fish species as well as sea birds, marine turtles, seals, whales, and dolphins that live or migrate off the coast of the northeastern United States. They look at the distribution, ecological relationships, and human interactions. This science helps to ensure the conservation and recovery of these species for future generations.

Resource Evaluation and Assessment

Our Resource Evaluation and Assessment Division determines the effects of management measures on the status of fishery and protected species, and also examines the impacts of management actions on the individuals, businesses, and communities in the region that depend on these stocks.

More Information

Contact Us

Our Leadership

Jon Hare on board a NOAA vessell.

Jon Hare, Ph.D.

Science and Research Director

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Nicole Cabana

Nicole Cabana

Deputy Director

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Sean McNally

Sean McNally, Ph.D.

Chief of Staff

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Management Team

Directorate

Jon Hare, Ph.D.

Science and Research Director

Nicole Cabana

Deputy Director

Ecosystems and Aquaculture

Lisa Milke, Ph.D.

Director, Ecosystems & Aquaculture Division

Fishery Monitoring and Research Division

Katherine McArdle

Director, Fishery Monitoring and Research - Chief, Fisheries Monitoring Operations Branch

Amy Sierra Martins

Deputy Director
    • Cooperative Research
      Anna Mercer, Ph.D., Cooperative Research Branch Chief, Narragansett Laboratory Director
    • Training and Data Quality
      Ryan Shama, Chief, Training and Data Quality
    • Fisheries Monitoring Operations
      Katherine McArdle, Director, Fishery Monitoring and Research - Chief, Fisheries Monitoring Operations Branch
    • Data Information Systems
      Debra Duarte, Branch Chief Data and Information Systems, Fisheries Biologist

Population & Ecosystems Monitoring & Analysis Division

Kathryn Ford

Director, Population and Ecosystems Monitoring and Analysis Division
    • Ecosystems Surveys
      Peter Chase, Chief, Ecosystems Surveys Branch
    • Population Biology
      Rich McBride, Ph.D., Chief, Population Biology Branch, Supervisory Research Fishery Biologist
    • Offshore Wind and Ecology
      Andrew Lipsky, Chief, Offshore Wind Ecology Branch

Protected Species Division

Sean Hayes, Ph.D.

Director, Protected Species

Tara Trinko Lake

Deputy Director

Resource Evaluation and Assessment

Michael Simpkins, Ph.D.

Director, Resource Evaluation & Assessment Division

Michele Traver

Deputy Director

Operations, Management, and Information Division

Ann Webber

Division Director
    • Acquisition, Grants, and Agreements
      Kelly Taranto, Chief, Acquisitions, Grants and Agreement Branch
    • Mission and Support Branch
      Nathan J Keith, Chief, Mission and Support Branch
    • Facility Operations
      Brian Lavin, Chief, Facility Operations Branch

Information Technology Division

Kevin Portanova

Director, Information Technology Division

Other Locations

Woods Hole Lab

The Woods Hole facility is the nation’s first federal fisheries lab, established in 1871.The Science Center's directorate is located here along with the majority of stock assessment, population biology, fishery monitoring, marine mammal, and social sciences researchers. The lab also houses the nation’s oldest public aquarium, open to visitors year-round.

Sandy Hook Laboratory

The James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory is a state-of-the-art marine research facility. The primary mission of the lab is to conduct research in ecology, leading to a better understanding of both coastal and estuarine organisms and the effects of human activities on nearshore marine populations.

Milford Lab

Located on the shore of Long Island Sound, the Milford Lab’s well-integrated aquaculture program includes studies of the culture of fish and shellfish to develop methods suitable for commercial use as well as for stock enhancement and restoration. Nearshore habitats are studied to determine what characteristics make a habitat suitable for a particular species.

Narragansett Lab

At this lab, research is conducted on the effects of changing oceanographic and ecological conditions on the productivity and health of the Northeast US Continental Shelf ecosystem. Studies also are conducted on the demography and ecology of shark populations in response to oceanographic conditions to provide information for shark assessment and management.

Maine Field Station

At the Orono station, the Atlantic Salmon Ecosystems Research Team works to promote the recovery and future sustainability of Atlantic salmon and other diadromous fish and their ecosystems. The salmon team primarily focuses on fish in the estuarine and marine environment.

Our History

Black and white photo of the original 3-story building that housed the Northeast Fisheries Science Center.

NOAA Fisheries’ first laboratory was founded in Woods Hole, Massachusetts in 1871. Since then, we have conducted a comprehensive marine science program, studying fishery species and fisheries, monitoring and modeling ocean conditions and habitats, developing aquaculture, and providing reliable advice for policymakers. Our work promotes recovery and long-term sustainability of marine life in the region and helps sustain coastal communities.

For an in-depth look at how the Fisheries started and developed in the Northeast, check out our history site!