Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program (AMMOP)
About the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program
NMFS is mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to measure and report on the effects of commercial fisheries on marine mammal stocks. One of the ways NMFS gathers this information is through the Marine Mammal Observer Program .
The purpose of the Marine Mammal Observer Program is to:
- obtain reliable estimates of incidental serious injury and mortality of marine mammals and seabirds,
- determine the reliability of reports submitted by vessel owners and operators,
- identify changes in fishing methods or technology that may increase or decrease incidental serious injury or mortality,
- collect biological samples to support and promote scientific studies,
- record data on by-catch and discard levels of all species.
Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery
The Southeast Alaska salmon drift gillnet fishery as a Category II fishery is subject to monitoring of marine mammal interactions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Fishing operations in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Management Areas 6&8 for this fishery will be monitored together during the 2012 and 2013 fishing seasons. Operations in this fishery in the remaining ADF&G Management Areas will be monitored in subsequent years.
In 2011 NMFS’ AMMOP will conduct industry outreach and logistics scoping to discuss program goals and industry concerns and to determine the best approach for placing observers throughout the fishery for data collection. Public meetings and workshops will be held with fishermen to develop a dialog with permit holders regarding data collection methods. Public meetings also will be held prior to each fishing season in which data collection occurs (initially 2012—2013) to ensure fishermen are well informed about the program and to provide a forum for discussion about program details and concerns. Dates and locations for such meetings will be posted here.
- 2010 AMMOP Information Pamphlet - Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery
- 2010 Letter to ADF&G Commissioner
- 2010 Letter to Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Permit Holders
- Public Information Meetings and Fishermen Workshops
General Information
AMMOP
- Slide Show Overview (588KB PDF)
- Photo Album
- Laws and Regulations
AMMOP in Yakutat 07-08
- Letter to Permit Holders, September 2007
- Letter to Set Gillnetters, March 2007
- Program Booklet (1MB PDF)
- Program Manual (2.5MB PDF)
Related Information
- ADF&G Commercial Fisheries (external website)
- Alaska Marine Mammal Authorization Program
- List of Fisheries
- Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory
- National Observer Program
- Observer Providers
- Observer Harassment Warning Sign
- UAA North Pacific Fisheries Observer Training Center (external website)
Bycatch Estimation Reports
- Incidental Take and Interactions of Marine Mammals and Birds in the Yakutat Salmon Setnet Fishery, 2007 and 2008
- Incidental Take and Interactions of Marine Mammals and Birds in the Kodiak Island Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery, 2002 and 2005
- Incidental Catch and Interactions of Marine Mammals and Birds in the Cook Inlet Salmon Driftnet and Setnet Fisheries, 1999-2000
- Salmon Gillnet Fisheries Observer Programs in Prince William Sound and South Unimak Alaska: 1990 and 1991
Program Coordinator
- Bridget Mansfield
PH: (907) 586-7642
Bridget.Mansfield@noaa.gov
