Peer Review Plans

Title and Description:
U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessment (2006)
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. 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:  42 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date:  7/15/2006
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes  NOAA Locator

Date First Posted in Peer Review Agenda:  12/16/2005

Estimated Peer Review Start Date:  2/1/2006
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?  Document will be published in Federal Register, after peer review panel has met, and the SAR has been updated to reflect the reviews.  The public will then be invited to comment through publication of the availability of the report in the Federal Register.  Ninety days are provided for this comment period.  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?  It is anticipated that the public comment period will begin in March, 2006.  The public comment period will be ninety days long.

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:
Peer review report:  42-peer review report.pdf

Marine Mammal Commission comments: ID42-MMC Review of 2006 SAR.pdf
Humane Society of the U.S. comments: ID42-HSUS Review of 2006 SAR.pdf
Comments from the peer review Panel (the Atlantic Scientific Review Group or SRG): ID42-Atlantic SRG Review of 2006 SAR.pdf

Regarding the primary disciplines and expertise needed in the review:  As specified under Section 117 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, "the Secretary of Commerce shall, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior (with respect to marine mammals under that Secretary's jurisdiction), the Marine Mammal Commission, the Governors of affected adjacent coastal States, regional fishery and wildlife management authorities, Alaska Native organizations and Indian tribes, and environmental and fishery groups, establish three independent regional scientific review groups representing Alaska, the Pacific Coast (including Hawaii), and the Atlantic Coast (including the Gulf of Mexico), consisting of individuals with expertise in marine mammal biology and ecology, population dynamics and modeling, commercial fishing technology and practices, and stocks taken under section 101(b). The Secretary of Commerce shall, to the maximum extent practicable, attempt to achieve a balanced representation of viewpoints among the individuals on each regional scientific review group."

Charge statement:  As specified under Section 177 of the MMPA:

The regional scientific review groups shall advise the Secretary on -- (A) population estimates and the population status and trends of such stocks; (B) uncertainties and research needed regarding stock separation, abundance, or trends, and factors affecting the distribution, size, or productivity of the stock; (C) uncertainties and research needed regarding the species, number, ages, gender, and reproductive status of marine mammals; (D) research needed to identify modifications in fishing gear and practices likely to reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals in commercial fishing operations; (E) the actual, expected, or potential impacts of habitat destruction, including marine pollution and natural environmental change, on specific marine mammal species or stocks, and for strategic stocks, appropriate conservation or management measures to alleviate any such impacts; and (F) any other issue which the Secretary or the groups consider appropriate.