Peer Review Plans

Title and Description:
U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessment (2009)
Section 117 of the U. S. Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), as Amended through 1997, requires that a stock assessment be prepared for each marine mammal stock that occurs in waters under USA jurisdiction in consultation with regional Scientific Review Groups (SRGs). The SRGs consist of individuals with expertise in marine mammal biology and ecology, population dynamics and modeling, and commercial fishing technology and practices and are mandated to review the marine mammal stock assessments and provide advice to the Secretary of Commerce. Use of these experts enables NOAA to obtain the best available scientific information for these stock assessments. The reports are then made available on the Federal Register for public review and comment before final publication.

The MMPA also requires that stock assessments be updated at least annually for stocks specified as strategic stocks, or for which significant new information is available, and at least once every three years for non-strategic stocks. In these documents, major revisions and updating of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico SARs are completed for approximately ten strategic stocks and for upwards to 50 nonstrategic stocks.

ID:  134 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date:  4/17/2010
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes  NOAA Locator

Date First Posted in Peer Review Agenda:  12/15/2008

Estimated Peer Review Start Date:  1/8/2009
Review type:  panel
Expected number of peer reviewers: more than 10
Peer reviewers will be selected by:  the agency

Will the public, including scientific or professional societies, be asked to nominate potential peer reviewers?  no

Will there be opportunities for the public to comment on the work product to be peer reviewed?  yes

How?  After the peer review panel met on 6-8 January 2009, the SAR was updated to reflect the reviewer’s comments. This report, and the 2 other marine mammal SARs, will be published as draft document in the Federal Register in June 2009. The public will be invited to comment. These comments are then used to update the SAR, and responses to the comments are provided as part of the FR notice of availability of the final report.

When?  The public comment period will open in June 2009 and continue for 90 days.

Will the agency provide significant and relevant public comments to the peer reviewers before they conduct their review?  no

Primary disciplines or expertise needed in the review:
marine mammal biology and ecology, population dynamics and modeling, commercial fishing technology and practices, and stocks taken under section 101(b)

Comments on Peer Review: