"Steller Sea Lion"

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.

NOAA Fisheries prepared this Opinion to address impacts to the Steller sea lion resulting from two federal actions: the issuance of an IHA by NOAA Fisheries and rat eradication on Rat Island by the U.S. FWS.

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 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.

Biological opinion on the potential effects of an exempted fishing permit for acoustic surveys of pollock in the Aleutian Islands on the western population of Steller sea lion. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2006-1059.

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

Biological opinion on the effects of activities associated with the Kensington Gold Project on all threatened and endangered species. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2004-2624.