"Steller Sea Lion Research"

Biological opinion on the issuance of Steller sea lion and Northern fur seal research permits for federally funded research on Steller sea lions and Northern fur seals.

A survey to assess Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pup production in Alaska conducted by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) in Summer 2009.

Researchers conducting field and captive studies on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) meet at least annually to coordinate research plans and field work. In addition to updating research findings, these meetings provide a direct means to minimize potential disturbance to sea lions in the field, and maximize collaboration and sharing of samples or data. During the past several years a coordination meeting has been held in Anchorage associated with the Alaska Marine Science Symposium because most researchers conducting Steller sea lion studies in Alaska attend. This year a second meeting was held in Seattle, which focused on the eastern distinct population segment (eDPS) in Washington, Oregon and California. Because applications for new permits to conduct Steller sea lion research authorized under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) are due in February, most of the time during meetings was dedicated to permit application issues and discussions towards ensuring proposed research would directly address recovery and conservation priorities. Though these meetings primarily address U.S. research, studies conducted in Russia and Canada were also included in discussions.

Researchers permitted to conduct studies on Steller sea lions in Alaska have historically coordinated their plans to minimize disturbance to sea lions and increase collaboration to achieve objectives. Formal coordination occurs at least once per year.

This Plan contains: (1) a comprehensive review of Steller sea lion status and ecology, (2) a review of previous conservation actions, (3) a threats assessment, (4) biological and recovery criteria for downlisting and delisting, (5) actions necessary for t

This Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement assesses the environmental impacts associated with research on northern fur seals and Steller sea lions.

Until the late 1990s, most research on Steller sea lions in Alaska was conducted by relatively few groups using the Steller Sea Lion Recovery Plan (NMFS 1992) for guidance, and thus coordination was straightforward. Because of a large increase in scientific activity and funding, mostly through Congressional appropriations starting in FY01, a framework for a comprehensive and coordinated research program was created as an organizational tool (Ferrero and Fritz 2002). Studies were also categorized based on which multiple hypotheses proposed for the Steller sea lion decline were being addressed.

NOAA Fisheries proposes to issue permits and permit amendments for scientific research on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in the wild.