Resource Evaluation and Assessment Division

Chief: Dr. Richard Merrick Woods Hole Laboratory (508) 495-2291

The Protected Species Branch conducts research needed for the management of protected species off the northeast coast of the United States in support of NMFS mandates and responsibilities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act,

Endangered Species Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.Research is focused on three areas: ecological roles and habitat; human interactions, including by-catch mitigation; and population assessment, including determination of Potential Biological Removal (PBR). The Branch develops improved population and by-catch estimation techniques, obtains information on life history and stock structure, investigates bycatch reduction techniques, and assesses the efficacy of management actions for by-catch reduction. The Branch provides information and advice to the NMFS Northeast Regional office, the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, NMFS Headquarters, the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, and the International Whaling Commission. Click here to visit the Protected Species Branch website Click here to visit the Right Whale Aerial Surveys website Click here to visit the Gear Research website

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