{"id":7056,"date":"2018-06-14T17:36:33","date_gmt":"2018-06-14T21:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/?page_id=7056"},"modified":"2019-02-22T14:51:24","modified_gmt":"2019-02-22T19:51:24","slug":"2018-annual-meeting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/events-meetings-and-workshops\/marine-mammal-commission-annual-meetings\/2018-annual-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"2018 Annual Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"heading-two callout-title\">A Spotlight on the Pacific Northwest and Alaska<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graphic alignleft\" data-modal=\"photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7059 \" src=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/MMC_at_AnnualMeeting18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"407\" height=\"291\" \/><figcaption><p>The Commission would like to thank all who attended our 2018 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA.<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Commission\u2019s 2018 Annual Meeting on May 29-31, 2018 in Seattle, Washington focuses on Pacific Northwest and Alaskan marine mammal science and management issues. Some of the major topics include impacts of a changing ocean, conservation concerns related to recovering pinniped populations, southern resident killer whales, West Coast large whale entanglements, sea otters, and Alaskan species of concern. Following the meeting, this page will host the\u00a0presentations and brief summaries of each session below.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/MMC-2018-Annual-Meeting-Public-Agenda2.pdf\">Click here for a PDF copy of the agenda<\/a>. Please feel free to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/about-the-commission\/contact-us\/\">contact us<\/a> with any questions or feedback.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-three\" class=\"heading-three\" id=\"day-1-tuesday-may-29\">Day 1: Tuesday May 29<\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"heading-three heading-four\" class=\"heading-three heading-four\" id=\"830-1000-am-executive-session-closed-to-public\">8:30-10:00 AM: Executive Session (closed to public)<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Morning Break<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"1030-am-public-meeting-begins\">10:30 AM: Public Meeting Begins<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Welcome and Overview from the Chairman<br \/>\n<em>Daryl Boness, Chairman, Marine Mammal Commission (MMC)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/P8tSU0jsCh8\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\">Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"1100-1200-pm-physical-and-biological-characteristics-of-the-north-pacific\">11:00-12:00 PM: Physical and Biological Characteristics of the North Pacific<\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"sue-moore-senior-scientist-noaa-national-marine-fisheries-service-nmfs-office-of-science-and-technology\">Sue Moore, Senior Scientist, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Science and Technology<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bond_MarineMammal_Fin.pdf\">Pacific Decadal Oscillation, El Ni\u00f1o Southern Oscillation, and \u201cthe Blob\u201d<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Nick Bond, Research Meteorologist, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Abrahms_MMC_2018_PDF_version.pdf\">On the Past, Present and Future of the California Current Upwelling System<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Briana Abrahms, Research Ecologist, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kimmel_MMC.pdf\">The Gulf of Alaska Ecosystem: Lower Trophic Level Trends and Dynamics<\/a><br \/>\n<em>David Kimmel, Lead Research Oceanographer, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/P8tSU0jsCh8\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Lunch Break\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\">1:30-3:00 PM: Impacts of\u00a0 a Changing Ocean<br \/>\nSamantha Simmons, Scientific Program Director, MMC<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/TrainerMMC2018.pdf\">Domoic Acid and Harmful Algal Blooms: Impacts on the Ecosystem<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Vera Trainer, Harmful Algal Bloom Team Lead, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gulland-Mortality-slides-FG-v4.pdf\">Recent Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Frances Gulland, Commissioner, MMC<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wade_AMSS-NP-whales_PRW.pdf\">Status and Trends: Cetacean Abundance and Distribution in the North Pacific<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Paul Wade, Research Fisheries Biologist, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gelatt-MMC-May-2018.pdf\">Status and Trends: Pinniped Abundance and Distribution in the North Pacific<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Tom Gelatt, Alaska Ecosystems Program Leader, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/JCig7faAA8M\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Afternoon Break<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\">3:30-5:00 PM: Emerging Tools and Technologies<br \/>\nRandy Wells, Senior Conservation Scientist, Chicago Zoological Society<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Advances in Telemetry\/Biologging Instruments: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Holland_MMCAnnualMeeting.Holland.29May2018.pdf\">From New Sensor Development<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Baird_MMC_2018MAY29_Tag_Development.pdf\">Tag Attachment<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Melinda Holland, CEO, Wildlife Computers & Robin Baird, Research Biologist, Cascadia Research Collective<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sterling_MMC_May_2018_Saildrone_MODIFIED.pdf\">Saildrones in the Bering Sea: Using Unmanned Surface Vehicles to Examine Relationships between Northern Fur Seals and their Prey<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Jeremy Sterling\/Carey Kuhn, Fisheries Biologists, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Berchok_New-Discoveries-from-Passive-Acoustic-Monitoring-and-Future2.pdf\">New Discoveries from Passive Acoustic Monitoring and Future Applications and Directions for its Use<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Catherine Berchok, Research Zoologist, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Baker_MMC18_eDNA_Seattle_v2.pdf\">Environmental DNA (eDNA): Advances and Applications to Conservation and Management of Cetaceans<\/a><br \/>\n<em>C. Scott Baker, Professor and Associate Director of the Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/kRcnSn2MDrs\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\">Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"day-1-session-summaries\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/MMC2018-Summaries-day-1.pdf\">Day 1 Session Summaries<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"heading-three heading-four\" class=\"heading-three heading-four\" id=\"500-530-pm-public-comments-end-of-day-recap-action-items\">5:00-5:30 PM: Public comments, end of day recap, action items<\/h4>\n<figure class=\"graphic alignright\" data-modal=\"photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2702 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/nmmlweb-steller-15.jpg\" alt=\"Steller sea lions range along the North Pacific Rim from northern Japan to California image\" width=\"660\" height=\"437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/nmmlweb-steller-15.jpg 660w, https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/nmmlweb-steller-15-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><figcaption><p>Steller sea lions range along the North Pacific Rim from northern Japan to California (NOAA’s National Marine Mammal Laboratory)<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4 class=\"heading-three heading-four\" class=\"heading-three heading-four\" id=\"daryl-boness-chairman-mmc\"><em>Daryl Boness, Chairman, MMC<\/em><\/h4>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-three\">Day 2: Wednesday May 30<a id=\"pinnipeds\"><\/a><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\"><strong>8:30-9:15 AM: Salmon Runs, Southern Resdient Killer Whales (SRKW), and Pinnipeds<br \/>\nDennis Heinemann, Senior Advisor for Fisheries Policy & Ecology, MMC & Michael Gosliner, General Counsel, MMC<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/1.-Ford-SRKW-and-salmon-recovery-May-2018-MMC-version.pdf\">Salmon Recovery and SRKW Status<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Mike Ford, Director of Conservation Biology Division, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-Neatherlin-2018-MMC-Neatherlin-Final-Final.pdf\">Pinnipeds and Salmon and Steelhead Marine Survial in Puget Sound<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Erik Neatherlin, Science Director of the Fish Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/LUdiZKvPHyg\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/AM-2018-Salmon-Session-Summary.pdf\"><strong>Session Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"915-1000-am-conservation-concerns-related-to-recovering-pinniped-populations-part-1\">9:15-10:00 AM:\u00a0Conservation Concerns Related to Recovering Pinniped Populations – \u00a0Part 1<\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"jason-baker-research-marine-biologist-nmfs-pacific-island-fisheries-science-center\">Jason Baker, Research Marine Biologist, NMFS Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/MMC-Pinnipeds.pdf\">Addressing Direct Predation – Bonneville Dam<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Robert Anderson, Acting Portland Branch Leader, NMFS West Coast Regional Office<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/MMC_Seattle_20180530b.pdf\">Addressing Direct Predation – Willamette Falls<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Bryan Wright, Acting Marine Mammal Program Leader, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pending-Columbia-River-Legislation-v2.pdf\">Addressing Direct Predation – Pending Columbia River Legislation<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Michael Gosliner, General Counsel, MMC<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/LUdiZKvPHyg\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Morning Break<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\">10:30 AM-12:00 PM: Conservation Concerns Related to Recovering Pinniped Populations – \u00a0Part 2<br \/>\nJason Baker, Research Marine Biologist, NMFS Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Panel Discussion<br \/>\n<em>Panelists in Addition to Presenters:<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li><em>Nate Pamplin, Policy Director, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Sharon Young, Marine Issues Field Director, Humane Society of the United States<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Guy Norman, Member, Northwest Power & Conservation Council<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/VNeFKtS0c6Y\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/MMC2018-Summary.Pinniped-Session.pdf\">Session Summary<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Lunch Break<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"130-300-pm-srkw-science-status-stressors-and-trends\">1:30-3:00 PM: SRKW: Science – Status, Stressors, and Trends<\/h4>\n<figure class=\"graphic alignright\" data-modal=\"photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7006 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/nmmlweb-killerwhale-lrg-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/nmmlweb-killerwhale-lrg-4.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/nmmlweb-killerwhale-lrg-4-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/nmmlweb-killerwhale-lrg-4-1024x679.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\" \/><figcaption><p>Killer Whales – National Marine Mammal Laboratory<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"robin-baird-research-biologist-cascadia-research-collective\">Robin Baird, Research Biologist, Cascadia Research Collective<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduction<br \/>\n<em>Robin Baird, Research Biologist, Cascadia Research Collective <\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/MMC_Ward_demography_5-29-18-2.pdf\">Population History, Status, Trends, Demography, Vital Rates, and Viability Analyses<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Eric Ward, Biological Statistician, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Williams-MMC-2018.pdf\">Impacts of Prey Availability, Vessels, and Contaminants on Southern Resident Killer Whale Vital Rates<\/a><em><br \/>\nRob Williams, Co-Founder, Oceans Initiative<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Noren_MMC_2018MAY_PUBLIC.pdf\">Condition and Health: Connections to Ecology, Feeding, Social Behavior and Human Impacts<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Dawn Noren, Research Fishery Biologist, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Panel Discussion<br \/>\n<em>Panelists in Addition to\u00a0<\/em><i>Presenters<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li><em>Mike Ford, Director of Conservation Biology Division, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Ken Balcomb, Founder and Senior Scientist, Center for Whale Research<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Gina Ylitalo, Environmental Chemistry Program Manager, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Sheila Thornton, Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Jason Wood, Operations Manager & Senior Research Scientist, Sea Mammal Research Unit Consulting<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Joe Gaydos, Science Director, SeaDoc Socie<\/em>ty<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/jen3BpVICws\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Afternoon Break<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\">3:30-5:00 PM: SRKW: Management- Existing and Planned Actions\/Measures<br \/>\nRandy Wells, Senior Conservation Scientist, Chicago Zoological Society<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduction<br \/>\n<em>Randy Wells, Senior Conservation Scientist, Chicago Zoological Society<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/1.-Babcock.Becker-MMC.5.30.2018_Version-5.pdf\">Federal\/Bilateral Actions Targeted at Reducing the Impact of Reduced Prey Availability<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Elizabeth Babcock, Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Coordinator, NMFS West Coast Regional Office &\u00a0Penny Becker, Policy Lead, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2.-Becker-MarineMammalCommission_StateActions_PB_30May2018.pdf\">State Actions Targeted at Reducing the Impact of Reduced Prey Availability<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Penny Becker, Policy Lead, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/3.-Barre-NOAA-SRKW-recovery-implementation-2018-MMC.pdf\">https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/3.-Barre-NOAA-SRKW-recovery-implementation-2018-MMC.pdf<\/a>Ongoing and Emerging Federal\/Local\/Bilateral Management Actions and Policy Initiatives<br \/>\n<em>Lynne Barre, Seattle Branch Leader, NMFS West Coast Regional Office<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Panel Discussion<br \/>\n<em>Panelists in Addition to Presenters<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li>Kendra Smith, Environmental Resources Manager, San Juan County Office<\/li>\n<li>Deborah Giles, Scientific Advisor and Coordinator, Orca Salmon Alliance<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/UHXzgZCHgbY\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/MMC-AM-SRKW-Session-Summary-.pdf\"><strong>Session Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\"><strong>5:00-5:30 PM: Public comments, end of day recap, action items<br \/>\nDaryl Boness, Chairman, MMC<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p> <\/p>\n<figure class=\"graphic alignright\" data-modal=\"photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2713 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/humpback-entanglement-1.jpg\" alt=\"A humpback whale entangled in fishing gear image\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/humpback-entanglement-1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/humpback-entanglement-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption><p>A humpback whale entangled in fishing gear. Image taken under NOAA MMHSRP permit #932-1905 (NOAA)<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"heading-three\" class=\"heading-three\" id=\"day-3-thursday-may-31\">Day 3: Thursday May 31<\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"heading-three heading-four\">8:30 AM-11:15 AM: West Coast Large Whale Entanglements<br \/>\nRandall Reeves, Chair of Committee of Scientific Advisors, MMC<\/h4>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduction<br \/>\n<em>Randall Reeves, Chair of Committee of Scientific Advisors, MMC<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lawson-MMC-presentation-6-8-18.pdf\">Increase in Entanglements: species, fisheries\/gear, and spatial\/temporal patterns<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Dan Lawson, Fisheries Biologist, NMFS West Coast Regional Office<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2.-Martien-2018-MMC-population-level-impacts.pdf\">Potential Impacts: Stocks, populations impacts, and science gaps<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Karen Martien, Operations Research Analyst, NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sayce-MMC_WorkingGroupPresentation_May2018-public-version.pdf\">Mitigation Efforts: Federal, State, and Fisheries Prevention\/Mitigation Efforts<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Kelly Sayce, Facilitator of California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group, Strategic Earth Consulting; <\/em><em>Geoff Shester, California Campaign Director, Oceana; and Dick Ogg, Fisherman, California Dungeness Crab Fishery<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/MMC_Werner_Public.pdf\">Mitigation of North Atlantic Large Whale Entanglements \u2013 What Has Worked and What Hasn\u2019t<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Tim Werner, Senior Scientist and Director, Bycatch Program, New England Aquarium<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/EJKHj_72pIM\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Morning Break<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Panel Discussion<br \/>\n<i>Panelists in Addition to Presenters<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li>Sheila Garber, Purchasing and Sales, Englund Marine & Industrial Supply<\/li>\n<li>Daniel Ayers, Coastal Shellfish Manager, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018-MMC-AM-Whale-Entanglement-Session-Summary-.pdf\"><strong>Session Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"1115-1200-pm-southeast-alaska-harbor-porpoises\"><strong>11:15-12:00 PM: Southeast Alaska Harbor Porpoises<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"patty-rosel-research-geneticist-nmfs-southeast-fisheries-science-center\">Patty Rosel, Research Geneticist, NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduction<br \/>\n<em>Patty Rosel, Research Geneticist, NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Zerbini_SEAK_HarborPorpoise_MMC2018_v2.pdf\">Harbor Porpoise Abundance and Trends<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Alex Zerbini, Contractor, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/KLong_SEAK-HP-bycatch_MMC-meeting_5-31-18.pdf\">Bycatch of Harbor Porpoise in the Southeast Alaska Gillnet Fishery: Bycatch Estimates and Implications for Management<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Kristy Long, National Marine Mammal Take Reduction Program Coordinator, NMFS Office of Protected Resources, NOAA<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Parsons-MarMamComm_May2018.pdf\">Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) and Opportunistic Sampling to Address Data Gaps in Genetic Stock Structure<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Kim Parsons, Contractor, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/18uIQJTfS9Q\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\">Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Lunch break<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\">1:30-3:00 PM: Sea Otters – California, Washington, and Alaska<br \/>\nFrances Gulland, Commissioner, MMC<\/h4>\n<figure class=\"graphic alignright\" data-modal=\"photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7007 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/shutterstock_156215126-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/shutterstock_156215126-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/shutterstock_156215126-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><figcaption><p>Sea otters on the Pacific coast, Shutterstock Photo.<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-Sea-otters-status-and-trends-MMC.pdf\">Overview of California, Washington, and Southeast Alaska Sea Otter Stocks: History, Trends, Population Structure\/Demography, Threats, and Status Relative to Optimum Sustainable Population\/Carrying Capacity<\/a><br \/>\n<em>California – Tim Tinker, Nhydra Ecological Consulting; Adjunct Professor, UC Santa Cruz<\/em><em>Washington – Deanna Lynch, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Washington<\/em><em>Southeast Alaska\u2013 Jim Bodkin, Research Biologist (retired, US Geological Survey, Alaska)<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-Sea-Otter-Ecological-Interactions-MMC.pdf\">Ecological Interactions:\u00a0Role of Sea Otters in Maintaining a Healthy Ecosystem (California and Southeast Alaska)<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Jim Bodkin, Research Biologist (retired, US Geological Survey, Alaska) &\u00a0Tim Tinker, Nhydra Ecological Consulting; Adjunct Professor, UC Santa Cruz<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-Polasek-Sea-otter-impacts-on-SEAK-fisheries-for-MMC-05-30-18-sent-to-MMC.pdf\">Fisheries Interactions: Impacts of Sea Otters on Fishery Resources (Focus on Southeast Alaska)<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Lori Polasek, Marine Mammal Program Coordinator, Alaska Department of Fish and Game<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Panel Discussion<br \/>\n<em>Panelists in Addition to Presenters<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li>Lilian Carswell, Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Marine Conservation Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service<\/li>\n<li>Patrick Lemons, Chief of Marine Mammals Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Alaska<\/li>\n<li>Mike Miller, Chair, Sitka Marine Mammal Commission<\/li>\n<li>Grant Hilderbrand, Marine Ecology Office Chief, USGS Alaska Science Center<\/li>\n<li>Dan Ayres, Shellfish Biologist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Public-Statement-of-Michelle-Bender-FSO.pdf\">Public Comment Submitted by Michelle Bender on behalf of Friends of the Sea Otter<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/KzR7XKHfM3Q\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sea-Otter-session_brief-summary1.pdf\"><strong>Session Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Afternoon Break<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"330-445-pm-alaska-species-of-concern-science-gaps-and-management-needs\">3:30-4:45 PM: Alaska Species of Concern – Science Gaps and Management Needs<\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\" class=\"heading-four\" id=\"robert-suydam-wildlife-biologist-north-slope-borough\">Robert Suydam, Wildlife Biologist, North Slope Borough<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<figure class=\"graphic alignright\" data-modal=\"photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7063 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1334.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"6000\" height=\"4000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1334.jpg 6000w, https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1334-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1334-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 6000px) 100vw, 6000px\" \/><figcaption><p>MMC Meeting in Session<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Regehr-MMC-31May18-LR-to-share.pdf\">Chukchi Sea Polar Bears: Abundance Estimate from Mark-Recapture Study, Lessons from Aerial Survey\/Thermal Imaging, Harvest Risk Assessment, and Stock Boundary Delineation<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Eric Regehr, Research Biologist, University of Washington<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lang-Ringed-seals-v3.pdf\">Ringed seals: Unravelling Population Structure in Arctic Ringed Seals<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Aimee Lang, Contractor, NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wright-and-Crance-NPRW-MMC-2018.pdf\">North Pacific Right Whales: Status Update, Including Recent Cruise Results, Saildrone Acoustics, Contemporary Distribution from Long-Term Acoustic Recorders, and Implications for Stock Assessment<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Jessica Crance, Research Biologist, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em>\u00a0&\u00a0<em>Dana Wright, Contractor, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Cook Inlet Beluga Whales: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wade_2018-CI-beluga-research-update-for-MMC_Wade.pdf\">Research Program Updates 1<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/Castellote-CIB-PAM-for-MMC-May18.pdf\"> Research Program Updates 2<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Paul Wade, Research Fisheries Biologist, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center &\u00a0Manolo Castellote, Affiliate Scientist, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/LY6IWoduvO8\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-modal=\"disclaimer\"><strong>Audio MP3 on YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h4 class=\"heading-four\">4:45-5:00 PM: End of day recap, action items and thank you from the Chairman<br \/>\nDaryl Boness, Chairman, MMC<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"heading-three\" class=\"heading-three\" id=\"\"><\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"heading-three\" class=\"heading-three\" id=\"500-pm-annual-meeting-adjourns\">5:00 PM: Annual Meeting Adjourns<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Spotlight on the Pacific Northwest and Alaska The Commission\u2019s 2018 Annual Meeting on May 29-31, 2018 in Seattle, Washington focuses on Pacific Northwest and Alaskan marine mammal science and management issues. Some of the major topics include impacts of a changing ocean, conservation concerns related to recovering pinniped populations, southern resident killer whales, West [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"parent":247,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"spay_email":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v18.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>2018 Annual Meeting - Marine Mammal Commission<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mmc.gov\/events-meetings-and-workshops\/marine-mammal-commission-annual-meetings\/2018-annual-meeting\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2018 Annual Meeting - Marine Mammal Commission\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A Spotlight on the Pacific Northwest and Alaska The Commission\u2019s 2018 Annual Meeting on May 29-31, 2018 in Seattle, Washington focuses on Pacific Northwest and Alaskan marine mammal science and management issues. 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