NOAA Fisheries Cancels 2004 Kodiak Study on Marine Mammal – Fishery Interactions

NOAA Fisheries officials have decided not to award a contract for marine mammal observation in the Kodiak salmon set gillnet fishery in 2004, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

Due to budget uncertainties, the contract to provide marine mammal observer services cannot be awarded in a timely manner to ensure observers would be in the field in Kodiak collecting data before most of the 2004 fishing effort has occurred.

The agency is sending a letter to each Kodiak salmon set gillnet permit holder regarding this decision.

The Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program collects data to assess the levels and nature of marine mammal and seabird interactions with near-shore commercial salmon fisheries in Alaska. In 2002, the program began a two-year study on the Kodiak set gillnet fishery, with professional observers gathering data around Kodiak Island through the set gillnet fishing season. Plans for continuing the Kodiak study in future years are under discussion.

For more information, contact Bridget Mansfield at 907-586-7235. Reports on the 2002 marine mammal observer program season will be sent to Kodiak set net permit holders and may be sent electronically to those who request them from bridget.mansfield@noaa.gov.

To learn more about the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program, please see: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/observers/mmop.htm or NOAA Fisheries’ Alaska website: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov