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Science & Data

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Science & Data

NOAA Fisheries' science-based conservation and management of sustainable fisheries, marine mammals, endangered species, and their habitats have become global models for marine stewardship and sustainability.

Our research surveys provide data critical to the stewardship of our nation's ocean resources and their habitat. For 150 years, our scientists and partners have collected survey data to understand current and changing ocean conditions and monitor marine life. The insights we gain are the heart of our science-based conservation and management. 

Effective science-based conservation and management are essential to ensuring sustainable domestic seafood production, maintaining and enhancing fishing opportunities, recovering protected species, and safeguarding ecosystem health.

More Research Topics

Acoustics Age and Growth Climate Ocean Acidification Research and Data

More Information

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Featured News

Ferocious Predator and Important Prey: New Barracudina Species Named for Smithsonian Biologist

Fisheries biologists recently described a new species of barracudina found in U.S. waters in the North Atlantic. Although understudied, these small fish may play a big role in their ecosystems.
March 31, 2026 - Feature Story ,
National
Two women hold small, slender fish and smile at the camera. The woman on the left wears a blue shirt and has reddish hair and the woman on the left wears an orange flannel shirt and has brown hair. Diane Pitassy (left), collections manager of the Smithsonian Institution National Fish Collection and Dr. Katherine Bemis (right), NOAA Fisheries research zoologist and co-author of the new study. Pitassy holds a new species of barracudina, Stemonosudis dianea, named by Bemis and Dr. Hans Ho to recognize Pitassy’s contributions to the collection. Bemis holds the species of barracudina it was distinguished from, Stemonosudis intermedia. Credit: Dr. Matthew Girard/Smithsonian Institution

50 Years of Environmental Data Can Predict Health and Strandings of Sea Lions Pups in California

Scientists use decades of research to make connections between environmental conditions and malnourished sea lions pups along the California coast.
March 27, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
A California sea lion mother rests on a sandy beach with her head up, eyes closed, and standing on her flippers, while her pup lies across her belly. Behind her are more sea lions and the water's edge. A California sea lion with her pup on the beach at San Miguel Island. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #16087. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Endangered Killer Whales Known for Isolation May Depend on Their Interaction with Other Populations

Scientists describe an additional factor affecting the future of Southern Residents.
March 24, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Southern Resident killer whale J16 breaches near the San Juan Islands, with J26 nearby. The Southern Residents have spent less time in and around the San Juan Islands during summer in recent years. Southern Resident killer whale J16 breaches near the San Juan Islands, with J26 nearby. The Southern Residents have spent less time in and around the San Juan Islands during summer in recent years. Photo by Katy Foster/NOAA Fisheries, under permit 18786.
More News

Science Blogs

Sound Bytes: Synchronous Swimming (With Robots) – Behind the Glider Challenge

Sound Bytes

The exciting work of flying robots underwater takes science, teamwork, and flexibility.
March 30, 2026 - Technology ,
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Two people sit on the left and right sides of a bright yellow undersea glider while on a vessel in the ocean. They are wearing life jackets, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing. The deep blue ocean is visible behind them. Dr. Selene Fregosi (right) and Jeremy Taylor, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, supported NOAA Fisheries’ undersea glider challenge in Hawaiʻi in early 2026. The challenge assessed glider performance and capabilities in field conditions off Oʻahu. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Calla Lloyd-Lim

When It Comes to Tagging Seals, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

Field Fresh Blog: Science in Motion

Join science center seal researchers Kimberly Murray and Ellie Heywood, their Tufts University collaborator Wendy Puryear, and several other partners on a balmy 40° January day sampling and tagging gray seals on Nantucket, Massachusetts.
March 23, 2026 - Survey ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Close up of a tagged male gray seal. Seal researchers tagged a gray seal pup with a satellite tag during field work in January 2026. Photo taken under MMPA Permit# 26939. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Milton Levin (Permit# 26939)

Weird and Wonderful: 10 Years of Northeast Bottom Longline Survey Video Footage

Field Fresh Blog: Science in Motion

Field scientist Hannah Ciarametaro explains how and why the Cooperative Research team collects video footage of the ocean floor during the Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey. She shares the weird and wonderful things they have seen along the way.
February 17, 2026 - Survey ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
 A scientist deploys a camera cage into the ocean over the side of a boat while the captain looks on. Chief Scientist Giovanni Gianesin deploys a camera cage while Captain Eric Hesse operates the vessel during the Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Calvin Alexander
More Science Blogs
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