Minutes of 2010 Steller Sea Lion Research Coordination Workshop Held in Anchorage, Alaska

April 26, 2010

Researchers possessing Endangered Species Act (ESA)/Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) permits to conduct scientific studies on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska meet at least annually to coordinate field study plans for the subsequent year, and these annual meetings also include researchers conducting studies in Canada and Russia. The primary objectives are to minimize potential disturbance to wild sea lions and maximize collaboration and sharing of samples or data, but the meeting is also a forum to discuss other research-related topics, such as national or regional Steller sea lion management issues with research implications. This meeting also partly meets coordination requirements stipulated in the issued permits.