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High Performance Computing and Communications

Peer Review Plans

Titles are listed with Highly Influential Scientific Assessments first, followed by Influential Scientific Information. Within those groups the order is alphabetical.

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Title and Description:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing: Acoustic Threshold Levels for Onset of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts

NOAA has developed draft guidance for assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal species under NOAA's jurisdiction. The guidance provides updated received levels, or acoustic threshold levels, based on the best available science, above which individual marine mammals are predicted to experience changes in their hearing sensitivity (either temporary or permanent) for all underwater anthropogenic sound sources. This guidance is intended to be used by NOAA analysts and managers and other relevant user groups and stakeholders, including other federal agencies, when seeking to determine whether and how their activities are expected to result in particular types of impacts to marine mammals via acoustic exposure. Although NOAA has updated the acoustic threshold levels from those previously used, and these changes may necessitate new methodologies for calculating impacts, the application of the thresholds in the regulatory context under applicable statutes (Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Marine Sanctuaries Act) remains consistent with past NOAA practice.
Behavioral threshold levels were originally included in the draft guidance and reviewed by the peer reviewers. NOAA is continuing our examination of the effects of noise on marine mammal behavior and will focus our work over the next year on developing guidance regarding the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal behavior. Behavioral response is a complex question and we determined we still need time to research and address it appropriately. Behavioral guidance will have a separate peer review plan (see ID 274). 
 
For their Phase 3 Acoustic Effects Analysis, the U.S. Navy recently (January 2015) provided NOAA with a technical paper describing their proposed methodology for updating auditory weighting functions and subsequent numeric thresholds for predicting auditory effects (TTS/PTS thresholds) on marine animals exposed to active sonars and other active acoustic sources utilized during Navy training and testing activities.

Upon evaluation, NOAA preliminarily determined that the Navy's proposed methodology reflects the best available science and are working to incorporate it into our Acoustic Guidance before it becomes final. Before doing so, we commissioned an independent peer review of the Navy's technical paper (i.e., second peer review). 

Additionally, NOAA has re-evaluated its methods for defining threshold usage for sources characterized as impulsive or non-impulsive using comments from the initial public comment period. This proposed methodology also underwent a separate independent peer review (i.e. third peer review).Following these peer reviews, we held a second public comment period (July-September 2015). 
After the second public comment period, while NOAA was working to address additional public comments and finalize the Technical Guidance, NOAA and the Navy further evaluated certain aspects of the U.S. Navy's methodology.  As a result, several recommendations/modifications were suggested. 
 
After consideration of these recommendations, NOAA has revised the Draft Technical Guidance to reflect these suggested changes and is proposing to solicit public comment on the revised sections of the document (i.e., not the entire document) via a focused 14-day public comment period (March 2016). Concurrent with this third public comment period, NOAA requested that the peer reviewers of the Navy's methodology review the updated sections of the Draft Technical Guidance and indicate whether the revisions would significantly alter any of the comments made during their original review.
 
Consistent with our Draft Guidance’s finalization procedure, once the follow-up peer review and public comment period processes are complete, NOAA will evaluate how to best incorporate the proposed methodologies into our Final Guidance.
 

For more information, please see: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/guidelines.htm .

ID: 43 Info. Type:  HISA
Estimated Initial Dissemination Date: 12/31/2014
Actual Initial Dissemination Date (because behavioral portion separated out): 2/4/2014
Estimated and Actual Second Dissemination Date: 6/1/2015
Estimated and Actual Third Dissemination Date: 7/31/2015
Estimated and Actual Disseminiation of Peer Review Report as follow-up to second review: 5/20/2016
Estimated Dissemination Date of Final Work Product: 531/2016
Actual Dissemination Date of Final Work Product: 8/3/2016
Contact Person:Michael Liddel  Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID43

Title and Description:

Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Behavior
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal

NMFS is developing draft guidance for assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on the behavior of marine mammal species under NMFS's jurisdiction. The guidance provides updated received levels, or acoustic threshold levels, based on the best available science, above which individual marine mammals are predicted to experience changes in their behavior for all underwater anthropogenic sound sources. This guidance is intended to be used by NMFS analysts and managers and other relevant user groups and stakeholders, including other federal agencies, when seeking to determine whether and how their activities are expected to result in particular types of impacts to marine mammals via acoustic exposure.

 

ID: 274 Info. Type:ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/ 2018 (for peer review report; for final work product,12/31//2018)
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID274

Title and Description:

The 2015 Arctic Report Card

The Synthesis Product was first published in 2006. The Arctic Report Card is an annual, peer-reviewed, Web-based publication http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/reportcard/index.html. It is a multi-disciplinary document composed of topical essays in the physical and biological sciences. This synthesis product presents already published data for 2015 in the Arctic that have not been previously been assembled. Issued annually, the Arctic Report Card is a timely source for clear, reliable and concise environmental information on the state of the Arctic, relative to historical time series records. Material is prepared by an international team of scientists. The audience for the Arctic Report Card is wide, including scientists, students, teachers, decision makers and the general public interested in Arctic environment and science. The Report Card is cited on a wide range of websites. Example of use for decision-making: reductions in sea ice mean that Arctic shipping routes become more feasible. Also, the Arctic Report Card is closely tied to climate change issues, which affect (see State of the Climate reports).

ID:329 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 11/30/2015
Contact Person: Tammy Adams Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID329

 

Title and Description:

2014 Arctic Report Card

Issued annually, the Arctic Report Card is a timely source for clear, reliable and concise environmental information on the state of the Arctic, relative to historical time series records. Material is prepared by an international team of scientists. The audience for the Arctic Report Card is wide, including scientists, students, teachers, decision makers and the general public interested in Arctic environment and science. The web-based format facilitates timely updates of the content. Some of the essays are based upon updates to articles in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society State of the Climate.

ID: 268 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/12/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/8/2014
Contact Person: Patricia Hathaway Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID268

Title and Description:

2014 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks)

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 22 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP plan teams and the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.

ID: 275 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/12/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/29/2014
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID275

Title and Description:

2014 Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks)

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 22 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Gulf of Alaska. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Gulf of Alaska. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP plan teams and the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.

ID: 277 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/12/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/29/2014
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID277

Title and Description:

2015 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks)

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 22 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP plan teams and the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.


ID:302 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 1/8/2016
Actual DIssemination Date: 12/9/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID302

Title and Description:

2015 Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks)

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 22 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Gulf of Alaska. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Gulf of Alaska. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP plan teams and the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.

ID:303 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 1/8/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/9/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddell Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID303

Title and Description:

2015 Stock Assessment Review (STAR) panel for black rockfish.

These assessments report the status of the black rockfish resources in the north and south of the west coast of the United States using statistical population models. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and abroad who serve as a peer-review panel for the stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.

ID:306 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 2/28/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 8/25/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID306

Title and Description:

2015 Stock Assessment Review (STAR) panel for bocaccio and China rockfish.

These assessments report the status of the bocaccio and China rockfish resources off the west coast of the United States using statistical population models. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and abroad who serve as a peer-review panel for the stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.

ID:307 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 2/28/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 5/25/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID307

Title and Description:

2015 Stock Assessment Review panel for canary and darkblotched rockfishes.

These assessments report the status of the canary and darkblotched rockfishes resources off the west coast of the United States using statistical population models. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and abroad who serve as a peer-review panel for the stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.

ID:308 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 2/28/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 5/25/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID308

Title and Description:

2015 Stock Assessment Review (STAR) panel for widow rockfish and kelp greenling.

These assessments report the status of the widow rockfish and kelp greenling resources off the west coast of the United States using statistical population models. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and abroad who serve as a peer-review panel for the stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.

ID:312 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 9/1//2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 8/25/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID312

Title and Description:
2016 Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks) for 2016

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 22 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Gulf of Alaska. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Gulf of Alaska. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP Plan Teams and the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.

ID357 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/9/2017
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID357

 

Title and Description:
2016 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks) for 2017

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 22 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP plan teams and the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.

ID358 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/9/2017
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID358

Title and Description:
Alabama Shad Biological Assessment

Description of information (subject and purpose): The information and data in the biological assessment for the Alabama shad (Alosa alabamae) will be used to inform the status of the species throughout its range and the subsequent Endangered Species Act listing decision.  The biological assessment contains information on the Alabama shad’s life history and threats.  We are seeking peer review on the contents of the biological assessments to ensure that it contains the best available information and data on the Alabama shad’s life history, threats to the continued existence of the species throughout its range, and the effects of ongoing conservation efforts.

ID:322 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 1/21/2016
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID322

Title and Description:

Charter Boat Logbook Reporting Pilot Study Estimators for Use with Logbook Data

This report was developed in response to conclusions from a MRIP final report on “For-Hire Electronic Logbook Pilot Study in the Gulf of Mexico." Conclusions of that report stated that the logbook program pilot study investigated could not be used as a census or comparable to dockside surveys. The current project was started to develop an estimator based on logbook reporting, utilize the estimator, and to compare it to dockside survey data.

ID: 295 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 3/18/2013
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID295

Title and Description:

Climate Change and the Olympic Coast: Interpreting Potential Futures

Global projections of the physical and biological effects of climate change are increasingly established and accepted, but the scale of global climate models do not lend themselves to interpreting climate change projections for specific areas of special management concern.  The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS), through its management plan, has expressed a desire to start managing for changing climate, and the goal of this report is to support that effort by collating and analyzing the available peer-reviewed literature on the documented and projected physical and biological changes likely to impact the OCNMS in the coming century.  A comprehensive literature review and analysis were used to assess possible future conditions for ocean temperature, acidification, sea level rise, storm patterns, ocean currents, hypoxia/anoxia and river hydrology.  Additionally, the biological consequences of changes in these physical parameters were interpreted broadly for various habitats, and also for specific species or species groups including phytoplankton, zooplankton, marine algae, deep-water corals, mussels, coastal urchin species, Dungeness Crab, fish, marine mammals and seabirds.  Finally, the sensitivity of the resources managed by the OCNMS to climate change area analyzed, and management options available to the OCNMS to mitigate the negative consequences of climate change are considered.

ID: 237 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/15/2013
Actual Dissemination Date: 2/242013
Contact Person: Kim Jenkins Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID237

 

Title and Description:
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Condition Report


Sanctuary condition reports provide a standardized summary of resources in NOAA's sanctuaries, drivers and pressures on those resources, current conditions and trends for resources and ecosystem services, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment. Condition reports include information on the status and trends of water quality, habitat, living resources and maritime archaeological resources, and the human activities that affect them. They present responses to a set of questions posed to all sanctuaries. The reports also rate ecosystem services status and trends. Resource and ecosystem service status are rated on a scale from good to poor, and the timelines used for comparison vary from topic to topic. Trends in the status of resources and ecosystem services are also reported, and are generally based on observed changes in status over the past five years, unless otherwise specified.

The reports serve as a tool for resource managers, researchers, policy makers, and educators. Condition reports distill large amounts of information, ranging from technical data to traditional, local and personal ecological knowledge into concise, easily understood assessments that can be interpreted for a wide audience. The reports help identify gaps in current monitoring efforts, as well as causal factors that may require monitoring and potential remediation in the years to come. The data discussed in the reports will enable resource managers and stakeholders to not only acknowledge prior changes in resource status, but also provide guidance for future management challenges.

ID348 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/8/2016
Contact Person: Kim Jenkins Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID348

 

Title and Description:

Critical Habitat Designation for the Arctic Ringed Seal

Designation of critical habitat is a required part of the regulatory process for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and is to be based upon the best scientific and commercial data available.  We are obtaining independent peer review of: (1) the compilation and analysis of information in the proposed rule regarding the habitat needs of Arctic ringed seals and the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the species; and (2) the compilation and analysis of information regarding the potential impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation contained in a draft economic report and summarized in the proposed rule.

ID: 288 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/5//2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 3/1/2016
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID288

 

Title and Description:

Designation of Critical Habitat for the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, and Chesapeake Bay Distinct Population Segments of Atlantic sturgeon -- Biological Information, Economic Report and 4(b)(2) Impact Analysis.

The single source document includes the biological information, economic report, and 4(b)(2) Impact Analysis that compiles information on: 1) the habitat needs of Atlantic sturgeon belonging to the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, and Chesapeake Bay distinct population segments (DPSs) in U.S. waters, including the physical and biological features essential to each DPS that may require special management; 2) the potential economic effects of designating such critical habitat; and, 3) the analyses of the economic, national security and other relevant impacts of designating critical habitat for each of these Atlantic sturgeon DPSs. The information compiled in this document is used in the designation of critical habitat for the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, and Chesapeake Bay DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act.

ID: 294 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/30/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 6/3/2016
Contact Person:Michael Liddel NOAA Locator
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID294

Title and Description:

Designation of critical habitat for North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) – Biological Source Document and 4(b)(2) Impact Analysis

The Right Whale Source Document and 4(b)(2) Impact Analysis compile information on; 1) the habitat requirements of right whales in U.S. waters and identifies the physical an biological features essential to the species that may require special management and; 2) analyses the economic, national security and other relevant impacts of designating critical habitat for the North Atlantic right whale.

ID: 259 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/23/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 1/27/2016
Contact Person:  Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID259

Title and Description:

Development and Testing of Recreational Fishing Effort Surveys Testing a Single-Phase Mail Survey Design

NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program is developing improved methods to estimate marine recreational fishing catch and effort. Traditionally, marine recreational fishing effort data for the U.S. Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico have been collected by NOAA Fisheries through the Coastal Household Telephone Survey (CHTS). A 2006 review by the National Research Council noted that the CHTS design suffers from inefficiency due to the low rate of saltwater angler participation among the general population, as well as potential coverage bias due to the survey's limitation to coastal county residences and landline-based telephone numbers. In addition, response rates to the survey have declined considerably over the past decade, increasing the potential for nonresponse bias. The Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) has designed and tested several different data collection alternatives to address concerns about the CHTS. This report outlines the various approaches to collecting fishing effort data that have been studied by MRIP and describes the feasibility of a single-phase mail survey design as an alternative to the CHTS.

ID: 296 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 6/30/2014
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID296

Title and Description:
Dwarf Seahorse Biological Assessment

The information and data in the biological assessment for the dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) will be used to inform the status of the species throughout its range and the subsequent Endangered Species Act listing decision.  The biological assessment contains information on the dwarf seahorse’s life history and threats.  We are seeking peer review on the contents of the biological assessments to ensure that it contains the best available information and data on the dwarf seahorse’s life history, threats to the continued existence of the species throughout the range, the effect of the fishery, and any existing regulatory mechanisms that may be regulating threats.


ID: 239 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/8/2013
Actual Dissemination Date: 2/3/2014 (peer review report, but not yet final work product)
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID239

Title and Description:
Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Designation for 7 Caribbean Corals Information Report

This report is part of the information basis for the proposed designation of critical habitat for 7 Caribbean corals under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It contains: (1) the biological information used to determine the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the species that require special management, and the specific areas containing the features, and (2) the economic impact of designating critical habitat.

ID346 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/23//2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID346

Title and Description:
Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Designation for 7 Indo-Pacific Corals Information Report


This report is part of the information basis for the proposed designation of critical habitat for 7 Indo-Pacific corals under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It contains: (1) the biological information used to determine the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the species that require special management, and the specific areas containing the features, and (2) the economic impact of designating critical habitat.

ID350 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/23/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID350

NOTE: This project is being re-started and the item will be replaced with a new ID number, ID352,.

Title and Description:
Endangered Species Act draft status review report of two East Atlantic guitarfishes

The information is a review of the biological and conservation status of, and extinction risk to, two species of foreign guitarfishes petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.  Status reviews are required under Section 4 of the Act. The two species of guitarfish are: Rhinobatos cemiculus and Rhinobatos rhinobatos. 

ID: 263 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/1/2014
Contact Person:  Michael Liddel Get contact information

Title and Description:

Endangered Species Act Status Review Report for the Coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae

The information is a review of the biological and conservation status of, and extinction risk to, coelacanth, which was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.  Status reviews are required under section 4 of the Act. The status review report will help inform the decision whether this species warrants listing under the Act.

ID:305 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 12/30/2014
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID305

 

Title and Description:

Endangered Species Act Status Review Report for the Eastern Taiwan Strait population of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin

The information is a review of the biological and conservation status of, and extinction risk to, the Eastern Taiwan Strait (ETS) Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin population, which was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.  Status reviews are required under section 4 of the Act. The status review report will help inform the decision whether this species warrants listing under the Act.

ID: 278 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/25/2014
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID278

Title and Description:
Endangered Species Act draft status review report for porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus)

The information is a review of the biological and conservation status of, and extinction risk to, porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus), which was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Status reviews are required under section 4 of the Act. The status review report will help inform the decision whether this species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the Act.

ID:333 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3//1/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID333

Title and Description:
Endangered Species Act Status Review Report for the Gulf of Mexico Bryde's whale

The information is a review of the biological and conservation status of, and extinction risk to, Gulf of Mexico Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), which was petitioned for listing as an endangered distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A review of the status of the species is required under section 4 of the ESA. The Bryde's whale status review report will help inform the decision whether the Bryde's whale in the Gulf of Mexico warrants listing under the ESA.

ID:337 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 5/2/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/20/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID337

 

 

Title and Description:

Explaining Extreme Events of 2013 from a Climate Perspective

Explaining Extreme Events of 2013 from a Climate Perspective is part of a recurring, annual ~100 page collection of short weather and climate attribution papers on extreme weather and climate events of the preceding year. The contributions are written by over 20 research groups around the world. Scientists at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, in collaboration with a scientists at NOAA OAR and the UK Met Office, serve as editors and compilers of the report which is published as a supplement to the September issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Perspectives are provided on the extent to which the climate system varies and changes as well as the effect that climate is having on societies and the environment.

ID: 292 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 9/10/2014
Contact Person:Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID292

Title and Description:

Explaining Extreme Events of 2014 from a Climate Perspective.

Explaining Extreme Events of 2014 from a Climate Perspective is part of a recurring, annual ~100 page collection of short weather and climate attribution papers on extreme weather and climate events of the preceding year. The contributions are written by over 20 research groups around the world. Scientists at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, in collaboration with a scientists at NOAA OAR and the UK Met Office, serve as editors and compilers of the report which is published as a supplement to the September issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

ID:313 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 9/10/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 11/5/2015
Contact Person: Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID313

 

Title and Description:
Explaining Extreme Events of 2015 from a Climate Perspective.

Explaining Extreme Events of 2015 from a Climate Perspective is a recurring, annual ~100 page collection of short weather and climate attribution papers on extreme weather and climate events of the preceding year. The contributions are written by over 20 research groups around the world. Scientists at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, in collaboration with a scientists at NOAA OAR and the UK Met Office, serve as editors and compilers of the report which is published as a supplement to the October issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

ID354 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date:11/5/2016
Contact Person: Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID354

Title and Description:

Five-Year Review for Endangered Species Act of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.

The information is a review of the recovery status of the Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), which is listed under the Endangered Species Act.  5-year reviews are required under Section 4 of the Act.

ID: 286 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/15//2014
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID286

 

Title and Description:
Joint Scientific Peer Review of the 2016 Stock Assessment for Pacific hake / Whiting in US and Canadian waters

This stock assessment reports the status of the trans-boundary coastal Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) resource off the west coast of the United States and Canada. The stock assessment is conducted and peer reviewed as outlined in the Agreement between the Government of the United States of American and the Government of Canada on Pacific hake / Whiting. This agreement formalizes past scientific and stock assessment collaboration through the creation of two scientific bodies: a Joint Technical Committee, charged with producing an annual stock assessment that includes scientific advice on the annual potential yield of the offshore hake/whiting resource that may be caught for that fishing year; and a Scientific Review Group, charged with providing an independent peer review of the Joint Technical Committee's scientific products.

The Scientific Review Group (SRG) will be composed of up to six individuals, with two appointed by each party (e.g. the United States and Canada) and two independent members appointed jointly from a list supplied by the Advisory Panel. The SRG will meet annually, or as often as required, to:
· Establish Scientific Review Group terms of reference for approval by the Joint Management Committee
· Review the stock assessment criteria and methods and survey methodologies used by the Joint Technical Committee
· Annually provide, by Mar. 1, unless otherwise specified by the Joint Management Committee, a written technical report of the stock assessment and its scientific advice on annual potential yield
· Perform other duties and functions as directed by the Joint Management Committee.

Additional information regarding the Pacific hake / Whiting Scientific Review Group and Joint Technical Committee, including current member composition and meeting documents, can be found on the Pacific hake/Whiting Treaty website: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Groundfish-Halibut/Groundfish-Fishery-Management/Whiting-Management/Treaty.cfmN

ID:334 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3//1/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 2/25/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID334

Title and Description:
Kona Crab Benchmark Assessment

The Kona crab (Ranina ranina) benchmark assessment will provide the basis for the management of this iconic Hawaiian species. The Kona crab fishery is one of three commercial crab fisheries in Hawaii. Historically, Kona crab landings make up over 25% of all commercial crab landings and up to 5% of all commercially landed reef species in Hawaii. Kona crabs are found in sandy habitat adjacent to fringing reefs and rocky areas in depths from 2 to 200 m. The fishing methods (baited tanglenets) are generally thought to be benign to habitat (when not set too close to coral reefs) and take little bycatch. However, basic biological information for the Kona crab is generally unavailable, and commercial landings data are the main indicator available to determine stock abundance. The commercial Kona crab landings in Hawaii have declined over the last 18 years. Because the most recent stock assessment of the Kona crab fishery was conducted over 30 years ago (Vansant 1978) the need for a contemporary assessment of the stock and review of the fishery was identified at the 2008 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)Pacific Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrated Observing System (CREIOS) Workshop and prioritized within the Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishery Management Plan (CMFMGP). To date stock status is classified as “unknown”. Though it is mentioned peripherally in fisheries management plans, regulations regarding closures are "best guess" only.

ID340 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/152015
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/31/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID340

 

Title and Description:
Length-based stock assessment methods for coral reef fish stocks in Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Island Territories

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) is conducting stock assessments on exploited coral reef fish species in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands which are listed in the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's Fishery Ecosystem Plans. These stocks are generally classified as data-poor due to a lack of reliable, long-term, catch and fishing effort data. However, some parsimonious assessment models rely on more easily obtainable length composition data and certain key population demographic parameters related to growth, maturity, and longevity. PIFSC scientists have been implementing an approach that uses the average length in the exploited phase of the population to obtain an estimate of total and fishing mortality rates for coral reef fish stocks. These rates, combined with population demographic parameters, are used in numerical population models to obtain stock sustainability metrics. Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs) can be generated by obtaining recent total catch estimates and specifying new ABCs based on the results of the population sustainability analyses. Furthermore, a novel meta-analytical approach using stochastic simulations was developed at PIFSC to obtain demographic parameter estimates for species with even less data than data-poor species (“data-less” species).

ID:324 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 10/16/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 10/26/2015
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID324

Title and Description:
Lesser Electric Ray Status Review

The Lesser Electric Electric Ray (Narcine bancroftii) Status Review will be used in making an Endangered Species Act listing determination.

ID:325 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 7/31/2015
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID325

Title and Description:

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES – CREEL SURVEY
DOCUMENTATION

The information being reviewed is a complete documentation of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) recreational fisheries creel survey (LA Creel) data collection methods. In 2014, LDWF implemented the LA Creel survey to replace NOAA Fisheries recreational survey. This documentation outlines the survey program and is being reviewed for potential certification by NOAA Fisheries.

ID341 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date:
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID341

Title and Description:
Methodology for Sampling and Estimating Bycatch of the Hawaii Deep-Set Longline Fishery

Quantifying bycatch in the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery is required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and their implementing regulations. As over a hundred species, some of them listed as endangered or threatened, have been recorded as being caught in the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery, reliable bycatch estimates need to be computed in a relatively quick manner on a yearly basis. Since mid-year 2002, a unique complex sampling design has been used to select deep-set longline trips for observer placement. While onboard a selected longline trip, NMFS-trained observers collect information on bycatch and ancillary variables for each longline fishing operation. Based on the sampling design, bycatch estimates are computed for all species of marine mammals, protected species, sharks, and other fish that have been observed at least once in the fishery or are of special interest. What estimators are used depends on the observed frequency distribution of bycatch events for the species of interest. Interval estimators have been developed for commonly, seldom, and very rarely bycaught species. Methods for estimating bycatch within specified geographical subareas of the fishing grounds and the total number of marine mammal bycatch events resulting in a death or serious injury (DSI) have also been developed as the MMPA requires estimates of DSI within and outside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the United States.

These annual bycatch estimates of sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals are used to monitor takes within the deep-set longline fishery. These estimates have a large potential impact on endangered species and the valuable longline commercial fishery in Hawaii. Additionally, bycatch estimates of all species are provided for inclusion in the National Bycatch Report, seabird and sea turtle estimates are submitted annually to the IATTC (Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission) per Resolution C-11-02 and C-04-05, and marine mammal, seabird, and sea turtle estimates are provided for inclusion in the annual WCPFC (Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission) National report.

ID:327 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 10/5/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 10/15/2015
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID327

 

Title and Description:
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Condition Report
Partial Update: A New Assessment of the State of Sanctuary Resources
2015


This document provides a partial update to Monterey Bay NationalMarine Sanctuary’s 2009 Condition Report. The 2009 report provided a summary of resources in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS or sanctuary), pressures on those resources, current conditions and trends, and management responses to reduce or mitigate human pressures. Specifically, the State of Sanctuary Resources section of the 2009 Condition Report presented responsesto a set of 17 questions posed to all sanctuaries.
These responses provided information on the status and trends of water quality, habitat, living resources and maritime archaeological resources, and the human activities that affect them. These 17 questions were completed for three marine environments: (1.) estuarine, (2.) nearshore and (3.) offshore. The 2009 report can be downloaded from the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries website.

This report provides an updated assessment of the health of thesanctuary in the State of Sanctuary Resources section. Sanctuary staff, with input from regional scientific experts, re-evaluated statusand trend ratings for 162 of the questions. Each question was reevaluated for accuracy and completeness, given new data sets, published literature and expert opinion that have become available since 2009. In most cases, new information and updated narratives are provided for each question, and many include new status and trend ratings. Trend ratings are generally based on trends since 2009. This re-evaluation was completed for the three aforementioned marine environments: (1.) estuarine, (2.) nearshore and (3.) offshore. Furthermore, a fourth marine environment, seamount, was evaluated for the first time in this update due to the addition of Davidson Seamount Management Zone to the sanctuary in November 2008 (Figure 1).

ID349 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/8/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 8/14/2015
Contact Person: Kim Jenkins Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID349

Title and Description:
Operational Assessments of 20 Northeast Groundfish Stocks

In September 2015 the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) will carry out Operational Stock Assessments of 20 Atlantic groundfish stocks which occur off the NE coast of the US. These stocks are managed by the New England Fishery Management Council and are included in the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The stocks were last assessed in 2008 and 2012. The assessments in 2015 will be peer reviewed by members of the Science and Statistical Committee (SSC), and comments from the review panel will be included in the final assessment report. The results will be published by the NEFSC and will serve as a basis for fishery management specifications starting in May 2016.

ID:321 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date:10.15//2015
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID321

Title and Description:
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDIFE – OCEAN RECREATIONAL BOAT SURVEY

The information being reviewed is a complete documentation of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Ocean Recreational Boat Survey (ORBS) recreational fisheries data collection methods. The ORBS program conducts angler-intercept interviews and boat counts to collect data on kept and released fish and angler effort, as well as biological samples. In 2010, NOAA Fisheries Marine Recreational Information Program sponsored an independent review of the ORBS. Since then, ODFW has pilot tested improvements recommended in that review. This documentation outlines the improved survey program and is being reviewed again for potential certification by NOAA Fisheries.

ID342 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: Not given.
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID342

Title and Description:

PMEL Tsunami Forecast Series: Vol. 5 — A Tsunami Forecast Model for Newport, Oregon

NOAA’s tsunami forecast system combines numerical models with deep-ocean tsunami amplitudes observed at DART locations during tsunami propagation to produce estimates of tsunami wave arrival times, amplitudes, and coastal inundation. The Newport, Oregon forecast model is one in a series of 75, each developed for integration into the NOAA tsunami forecast application for real-time forecast during a tsunami event. This report documents development of the Newport model, including rigorous testing and validation with historic and synthetic tsunami events.


ID: 280 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 11/1/2014
Contact Person: Patricia Hathaway Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID280

Title and Description:

PMEL Tsunami Forecast Series: A Tsunami Forecast Model for Point Reyes, California

NOAA’s tsunami forecast system combines numerical models with deep-ocean tsunami amplitudes observed at DART locations during tsunami propagation to produce estimates of tsunami wave arrival times, amplitudes, and coastal inundation. The Point Reyes, California forecast model is one in a series of 75, each developed for integration into the NOAA tsunami forecast application for real-time forecast during a tsunami event. This report documents development of the Point Reyes model, including rigorous testing and validation with historic and synthetic tsunami events.

ID: 283 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/1/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 11/15/2014
Contact Person: Patricia Hathaway Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID283

Title and Description:

PMEL Tsunami Forecast Series: Vol. 7—A Tsunami Forecast Model for Midway Atoll

NOAA's tsunami forecast system combines numerical models with deep-ocean tsunami amplitudes observed at DART locations during tsunami propagation to produce estimates of tsunami wave arrival times, amplitudes, and coastal inundation. The Midway Atoll forecast model is one in a series of 75, each developed for integration into the NOAA tsunami forecast application for real-time forecast during a tsunami event. This report documents development of the Midway Atoll model, including rigorous testing and validation with historic and synthetic tsunami events.

ID: 289 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/12/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/8/2014
Contact Person:Patricia Hathaway Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID289

Title and Description:

PMEL Tsunami Forecast Series: Vol. 8—A Tsunami Forecast Model for Nantucket, Massachusetts

NOAA's tsunami forecast system combines numerical models with deep-ocean tsunami amplitudes observed at DART locations during tsunami propagation to produce estimates of tsunami wave arrival times, amplitudes, and coastal inundation. The Nantucket forecast model is one in a series of 75, each developed for integration into the NOAA tsunami forecast application for real-time forecast during a tsunami event. This report documents development of the Nantucket model, including rigorous testing and validation with historic and synthetic tsunami events.

ID: 290 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/18/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/18/2014
Contact Person:Patricia Hathaway Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID290

Title and Description:

PMEL Tsunami Forecast Series: Vol. 9—A Tsunami Forecast Model for Santa Monica, California

NOAA's tsunami forecast system combines numerical models with deep-ocean tsunami amplitudes observed at DART locations during tsunami propagation to produce estimates of tsunami wave arrival times, amplitudes, and coastal inundation. The Santa Monica forecast model is one in a series of 75, each developed for integration into the NOAA tsunami forecast application for real-time forecast during a tsunami event. This report documents development of the Santa Monica model, including rigorous testing and validation with historic and synthetic tsunami events.

ID: 299 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 3/27/2015
Contact Person: Tammy Adams NOAA Locator
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID299

Title and Description:

PMEL Tsunami Forecast Series: Vol. 10—A Tsunami Forecast Model for Arena Cove, California

NOAA's tsunami forecast system combines numerical models with deep-ocean tsunami amplitudes observed at DART locations during tsunami propagation to produce estimates of tsunami wave arrival times, amplitudes, and coastal inundation. The Arena Cove forecast model is one in a series of 75, each developed for integration into the NOAA tsunami forecast application for real-time forecast during a tsunami event. This report documents development of the Arena Cove model, including rigorous testing and validation with historic and synthetic tsunami events.

ID:300 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual DIssemination Date: 3/27/2015
Contact Person: Tammy Adams NOAA Locator
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID300

Title and Description:

PMEL Tsunami Forecast Series: Vol. 11—A Tsunami Forecast Model for Kihei, Hawaii

NOAA's tsunami forecast system combines numerical models with deep-ocean tsunami amplitudes observed at DART locations during tsunami propagation to produce estimates of tsunami wave arrival times, amplitudes, and coastal inundation. The Kihei forecast model is one in a series of 75, each developed for integration into the NOAA tsunami forecast application for real-time forecast during a tsunami event. This report documents development of the Kihei model, including rigorous testing and validation with historic and synthetic tsunami events.

ID:301 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual DIssemination Date: 3/27/2015
Contact Person: Tammy Adams NOAA Locator
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID301

Title and Description:

PMEL Tsunami Forecast Series: Vol. 12—A Tsunami Forecast Model for Santa Barbara, California

NOAA's tsunami forecast system combines numerical models with deep-ocean tsunami amplitudes observed at DART locations during tsunami propagation to produce estimates of tsunami wave arrival times, amplitudes, and coastal inundation. The Kihei forecast model is one in a series of 75, each developed for integration into the NOAA tsunami forecast application for real-time forecast during a tsunami event. This report documents development of the Kihei model, including rigorous testing and validation with historic and synthetic tsunami events.

ID:318 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual DIssemination Date: 9/9//2015
Contact Person: Tammy Adams NOAA Locator
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID318

Title and Description:

PMEL Tsunami Forecast Series: Vol. 13—A Tsunami Forecast Model for Elfin Cove, Alaska

NOAA's tsunami forecast system combines numerical models with deep-ocean tsunami amplitudes observed at DART locations during tsunami propagation to produce estimates of tsunami wave arrival times, amplitudes, and coastal inundation. The Elfin Cove forecast model is one in a series of 75, each developed for integration into the NOAA tsunami forecast application for real-time forecast during a tsunami event. This report documents development of the Elfin Cove model, including rigorous testing and validation with historic and synthetic tsunami events.

ID:317 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual DIssemination Date: 9/4//2015
Contact Person: Tammy Adams Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID317

Title and Description:
Population genetics of Halophila johnsonii Eiseman

This is a final report delivered to NMFS that contains influential scientific information pertaining to the taxonomic status of Johnson's seagrass. The information is based on genetic analyses conducted in 2013 and 2014. While the lead authors of this report are in the process of modifying this information into peer reviewed journal articles, we (NMFS) are tasked with using the best information available to administer the Endangered Species Act. The information will be used to conduct a status review on the species, specifically evaluating its listing status.

Following comments received during the peer review NMFS decided not to publish the report to our website and not to proceed with a status review. Based on the peer review comments, the agency decided against publishing the report to our website and further decided to abort the intended status review.

ID:323 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 7/31/2015
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID323

Title and Description:
Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Distinct Population Segments of Lower Columbia River Coho and Puget Sound Steelhead

Section 4 of the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires the designation of critical habitat for threatened and endangered species. This report contains a biological analysis compiled by the Protected Resources Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in support of designating critical habitat for the threatened Distinct Population Segments (DPS) of Lower Columbia River Coho and Puget Sound Steelhead. This report summarizes the best available information on these species’ life history, distribution, and habitat use relevant to critical habitat designation.

ID:330 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 12/17/2013
Actual Dissemination Date: 4/15/2013
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID330

 

Title and Description:
Queen Conch Biological Assessment

Biological Assessment as part of the Status Review for the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) used in making Endangered Species Act listing determination. The information and data in the biological assessment for the queen conch (Strombus gigas) will be used to inform the status of the species throughout its range and the subsequent Endangered Species Act listing decision.  The biological assessment contains information on the queen conch’s life history and threats. The biological assessment contains information, where available, on queen conch fisheries and the status of queen conch stocks in states and territories in greater Caribbean.  We are seeking peer review on the contents of the biological assessments to ensure that it contains the best available information and data on the queen conch’s life history, threats to the continued existence of the species, the effect of fisheries (past and current) throughout the range, and any existing regulatory mechanisms that may be regulating threats.

ID: 236 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/14/2013
Actual Dissemination Date: 6/14/2014
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID236

Title and Description:
Recovery Plan for Listed Indo-Pacific Corals

The recovery plan for listed Indo-Pacific corals will consist of three separate documents: the Species Status Assessment, which will review the biology, ecology, and threats to the species; the Recovery Enhancement Vision, which will include objective and measurable recovery criteria, a description of site-specific management actions necessary to conserve the species, and estimates of time and costs required to achieve the plan's goals; and the Recovery Implementation Strategy, which will provide detailed activities for implementing the recovery actions.

ID359 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/1/2017
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID359

Title and Description:
Recovery Plan for the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular False Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment

The recovery plan for the Main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale will consist of three separate documents: the Species Status Assessment, which will review the biology, ecology, and threats to the species; the Recovery Enhancement Vision, which will include objective and measurable recovery criteria, a description of site-specific management actions necessary to conserve the species, and estimates of time and costs required to achieve the plan's goals; and the Recovery Implementation Strategy, which will provide detailed activities for implementing the recovery actions.

ID360 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/1/2017
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID360

Title and Description:
Replacement of Critical Habitat for the Western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Steller Sea Lion -- Biological Report

Section 4 of the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires the designation of critical habitat for threatened and endangered species. It allows for the revision of existing critical habitat. Both designation and revision are required to be based upon the best scientific and commercial data available. The Draft Biological Report for Identifying Critical Habitat for the Western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Steller Sea Lion presents information needed to determine if NMFS should replace currently designated critical habitat for Steller sea lions to account for the delisting of the Eastern DPS and to focus on identifying those specific geographical areas that meet the ESA's definition of critical habitat for the Western DPS. The intent of the report is to provide the best available information about; the geographical range of the species at the time of listing; its current range; its biology, ecology, and status necessary to identify those physical and biological features of its habitat that are essential to its conservation; whether those essential features may require special management considerations or protection; specific geographical locations where those physical and biological features are located; and whether there are unoccupied geographical areas that are essential to its conservation. This report will be considered by NOAA Fisheries in its decision about critical habitat for the Western DPS under Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act.

ID:332 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/31/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID332

Title and Description:
Review of Length and Biomass Augmented Catch-MSY Assessment Methods

A large number of fish and invertebrate species listed in fisheries management plans have insufficient data to conduct routine stock assessments. Nearly all of the assessment methods for data-poor stocks rely solely on catch data, or one source of data for directly estimating population density. A modified integrated assessment model has been developed, focusing on developing extensions for the Catch-MSY method, or stock reduction analysis proposed by Martell and Froese (2012) and Taggart and Kimura (1982)and modified by Sabater & Kleiber (2014), by incorporating data other than catch times series that directly inform total mortality rates (e.g. changes in mean size), relative and absolute abundance estimates, and other life history information. This modified model is being applied to data-poor coral reef fish stocks throughout the Pacific Islands Region, including Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. However these scientific analyses have not previously been applied for management purposes in the Pacific Islands Region, so there is a need to conduct an independent peer review of the analyses to improve the scientific basis for management.

ID339 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/31/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID339

 

Title and Description:

Review of Sea Scallop Survey Methodologies

Examine all of the primary survey methods for assessing sea scallop abundance. Examine sea scallop survey methods including scallop dredge surveys conducted on research vessels, scallop dredge surveys conducted on commercial vessels, the drop camera survey, and the HabCam system. The objectives are to assess the strong and weak points of each sampling approach, and identify the complementary facets of each survey methodology and opportunities for each method as part of the scallop survey sampling program going forward.

ID:310 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 8/152015
Actual Dissemination Date: 4/9/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID310

Title and Description:

SAW-SARC 61, 2016

A comprehensive Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) on Atlantic surfclam was conducted in July 2016. The Northeast Regional SAW is a formal, scientific peer-review process for evaluating and presenting stock assessment results to managers. The SAW protocol is used to prepare and review assessments for fish stocks in the offshore US waters of the Northwest Atlantic. This represents the convening of the 61st SAW-SARC since the program's inception in 1985.


ID363 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/30/2016
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID363

Title and Description:

SEDAR 41 South Atlantic red snapper and gray triggerfish

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (South Atlantic red snapper and gray triggerfish) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management agencies to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.

ID: 276 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/17/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 3/18/2016
Contact Person: Michael LIdde lGet Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID276

 

Title and Description:

SEDAR 46 U.S. Caribbean Data-limited Species

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (U.S. Caribbean data-limited species) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management agencies to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.

ID:326 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 3/28/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 2/25/2016
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID326

 

Title and Description:
SEDAR 47 Southeastern U.S. Goliath Grouper

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Southeastern U.S. goliath grouper) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management agencies to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.

ID347 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/10/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 6/14/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID347

Title and Description:
SEDAR 49 Gulf of Mexico data-limited species

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Gulf of Mexico data-limited species: Red Drum, Lane Snapper, Wenchman, Yellowmouth Grouper, Speckled Hind, Snowy Grouper, Almaco Jack, Lesser Amberjack) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management agencies to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries


ID361 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/1/2016
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID361

Title and Description:
SEDAR 50 Atlantic blueline tilefish

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Atlantic blueline tilefish) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management agencies to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.

ID356 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/26/2016
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get Contact Informatiion
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID356

State of the Climate in 2014

I

The State of the Climate Report is a recurring, annual 200+ page summary of weather and climate conditions of the past year. Working with contributing authors from about 55 countries around the world, this report places today's climate in historical context and provides perspectives on the extent to which the climate system varies and changes as well as the effect that climate is having on societies and the environment.

ID: 291 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/16/2015
Actual Disseminiation Date: 6/26/2015 (for final product, 7/16/2015)
Contact Person:Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID291

Title and Description:
State of the Climate in 2015.

The State of the Climate Report is a recurring, annual 200+ page summary of weather and climate conditions of the past year. Working with contributing authors from about 55 countries around the world, this report places today's climate in historical context and provides perspectives on the extent to which the climate system varies and changes as well as the effect that climate is having on societies and the environment.

ID355 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date (final work product, peer review report not available): 5/31/2016
Contact Person: Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID355

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of the giant manta ray (Manta birostris) and reef manta ray (Manta alfredi)

The status review for the giant and reef manta rays will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of these species as well as their respective risks of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range. The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the giant manta ray and reef manta ray is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID353 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/10/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID353

 

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act Consideration of Greenback Parrotfish (Scarus trispinosus)

The status review for greenback parrotfish will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species’ risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID: 272 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 121/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 2/15
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID272

Title and Description:

Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of Harrisson’s Dogfish (Centrophorus harrissoni)

The status review for Harrisson’s dogfish will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species’ risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID: 271 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 81/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 7/25/2014
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act Consideration of Island Grouper (Mycteroperca fusca)

The status review for island grouper will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species’ risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID: 270 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/1/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 6/15/2015
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID270

 

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of three foreign corals

The information is a review of the biological and conservation status of, and extinction risk to, three species of foreign coral petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.  Status reviews are required under Section 4 of the Act. The three species of coral are: ACantharellus noumeae, Siderastrea glynni, and Tubastraea floreana. 

ID: 265 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/1/2014
Actual DIssemination Date: 12/15/2014
Contact Person:  Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID265

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of two guitarfishes

The draft status review report is a review of the biologicla and conservation status of, and the exiction risk to, two species of guitarfish, the common guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) and the blackchin guitarfish (Rhinobatos cemiculus). Status reviews are required under Section 4 of the Act. This peer review plan replaces peer review plan 263 which was posted on 5/15/2014 and was titled: Endangered Species Act draft status review report of two East Atlantic guitarfishes.

ID352 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/15/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID352

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of seven foreign marine species of elasmobranchs

The status reviews for these seven elasmobranch species (Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus, Rhinobatos horkelii, Mustelus fasciatus, M. schmitti, Squatina guggenheim, S. argentina, and Bathyraja griseocauda) will consist of reports explaining the best available information on the biology and status of these species as well as potential threats to the species throughout all or a significant portion of their ranges. The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing these species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID:316 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 8/1/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/7/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID316

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of the Banggai cardinalfish

The information is a review of the biological and conservation status of, and extinction risk to, the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.  Status reviews are required under Section 4 of the Act.

ID: 267 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/15/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/16/2014
Contact Person:  Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID267

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of the giant manta ray (Manta birostris) and reef manta ray (Manta alfredi)

The status review for the giant and reef manta rays will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of these species as well as their respective risks of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range. The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the giant manta ray and reef manta ray is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.


ID362 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/10/2016
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID362

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of the Great Hammerhead Shark

The status review for the great hammerhead shark will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species’ risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID: 266 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 31/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 6/11/2014
Contact Person:  Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID266

Title and Description:

Status review for Endangered Species Act Consideration of the Gulf Grouper (Mycteroperca jordani)

The status review for gulf grouper will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species’ risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID: 285 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/18//2014
Actrual Dissemination Date: 6/1/2015
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID285

Title and Description:

Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of the Humphead Wrasse

The status review for the humphead wrasse will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species’ risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID: 293 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 11/1/2014
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID293

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act Consideration of the Orange Clownfish

The status review for the orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula) will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species’ risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID:319 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 9/3//2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 8/1/2014
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID319

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of the Northwest Atlantic Dusky Shark

The status review for the northwest Atlantic dusky shark will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species’ risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID: 264 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/1/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 9/15/2014
Contact Person:  Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID264

Title and Description:
Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of the smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena)

The status review for the smooth hammerhead shark will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of this species as well as its respective risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the smooth hammerhead shark is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID:331 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 4/27/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 6/28/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID331

 

Title and Description:

Status Review for Endangered Species Act Consideration of the Undulate Ray

The information is a review of the biological and conservation status of, and extinction risk to, the undulate ray (Raja undulata) petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.  Status reviews are required under Section 4 of the Act.

ID: 273 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/15/2015
Actual dissemination date: 4/30/2015
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID273

Title and Description:

Status Review for Endangered Species Act consideration of three angelshark species (Squatina aculeata, S. oculata, and S. squatina)

The status review for these three angelshark species will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of these species as well as their respective risks of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their ranges. The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing these species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID:315 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 7/31/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 7/13/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel NOAA Locator
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID315

 

Title and Description:
Status Review for the Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas

 The Green Turtle Status Review combined and analyzed all biological information on the green turtle, identified potential Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) of the species, and reviewed the status (stable, increasing, declining) of each population.  The information in the  report was in the 12-Month Finding on the green turtle in response to a petition (to list the Hawaiian population as a DPS and delist it), and in a proposed rule to identify and list DPSs as endangered or threatened.

ID: 232 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 1/30/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID232

itle and Description:
Status Review of Hector's Dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA)


This status review report is the scientific review of the biology, status, and future outlook for Cephalorhynchus hectori based on the best available data and information. This status review
also includes an analysis of threats to the species and makes conclusions regarding the extinction risk of the species. The intention of this status review report is to provide a thorough
and accurate review and analysis of the available information to inform a subsequent determination about whether this species warrants protection under the ESA.

ID351 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/3/2016
Actual Dissemination Date: 9/15/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel NOAA Locator
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID351

Title and Description:

Status Review of the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Under the Endangered Species Act

In May 2010, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) convened the Humpback Whale Biological Review Team (BRT) to conduct a comprehensive review of the status of humpback whales as the basis for considering revisions to this species’ Endangered Species Act listing status.  Conducting an ESA status review involves two key tasks: identifying the taxonomic units (species, subspecies or DPS) to be evaluated, and assessing the risk of extinction for each of these units.

ID: 284 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 12/1/2014
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID284

 

Title and Description:
Status Review Report of the Common and Bigeye Thresher Sharks: Alopias vulpinus and Alopias superciliosus

The status review document for the thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus and A. superciliosus) will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species' risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID344 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/28/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID344

Title and Description:

Status Review Report of the Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)

The status review document for the oceanic whitetip shark will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species as well as the species' risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination on whether listing the species is warranted or not warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

ID345 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/1//2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID345

 

 

Title and Description:
Stock Assessment Updates of the Bottomfish Management Unit Species of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam in 2015 Using Data Through 2013

We conducted a strict stock assessment update of the Bottomfish Management Unit Species (BMUS) in Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands using the same base case production model as used in the previous stock assessment, but with an additional 3 years of catch and nominal CPUE as input data. A Bayesian statistical framework was applied to estimate parameters of a production model fit to a time series of annual CPUE statistics to provide direct estimates of parameter uncertainty for status determination. The surplus production model included both process error in biomass production dynamics and observation error in the catch-per-unit effort data. Overall, the American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Guam bottomfish complexes were not overfished (overfished is defined as B<0.7*BMSY) and were not experiencing overfishing (overfishing is defined as H>HMSY) in 2013, the most recent year of the stock assessment estimates.

We conducted stock projections for 2016 and 2017, which projected a range of hypothetical two-year catches and calculated corresponding risks of overfishing. For the American Samoa BMUS complex, the 2016 catch level that would produce a 50% risk of overfishing in 2016 was 137 thousand pounds. For the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands BMUS complex, the 2016 catch level that would produce a 50% risk of overfishing in 2016 was 304 thousand pounds. For the Guam BMUS complex, the 2016 catch level that would produce a 50% risk of overfishing in 2016 was 82 thousand pounds. All of these catch values associated with a 50% risk of overfishing in 2016 are much higher than actual bottomfish landings in 2013 for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam which were 23,630, 22,510, and 29,848 pounds, respectively. The assessment document to be reviewed is a draft NOAA Technical Memorandum.

ID:328 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 11/1/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 8/24/2015
Contact Person: Michael LIddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID328

 

 

Title and Description:

Stock Assessment Update for the Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Complex Through 2013 With Projected Annual Catch Limits Through 2016

A stock assessment update of the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Deep7 bottomfish complex was conducted using up-to-date re-audited bottomfish catch and effort data from Hawaii state commercial catch reports for the years 1948-2013.The update used previous benchmark assessment data analysis, modeling, and stock projection approaches, with one minor improvement in catch-per-unit-effort standardization to explicitly account for fishermen's skill from 1994-2013. The Deep7 complex in the MHI is not currently experiencing overfishing and is not currently depleted relative to the best available information on biological reference points.

ID:309 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 1/16/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 1/12/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID309

Title and Description:
Summary of Biological Information and Economic Analysis Prepared for Consideration of Critical Habitat Designation for the Carolina and South Atlantic Distinct Population Segments of Atlantic Sturgeon

The document is part of the process for designating critical habitat and contains: (1) the biological information used to determine the specific areas containing the features essential to the conservation of the species and essential features of critical habitat, and (2) the economic impact of designating critical habitat.

ID:336 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/16/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 10/2/2015
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID336

 

Title and Description:

U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessment (2014)

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: 253 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/1/2014
Actual Dissemination Date: 2/5/2014
Dissemination Date of Final Work Product: 8/20/2015
Contact Person:  Michael Liddel Get contact info
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID253


Title and Description:

U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessment (2015)

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: 298 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 4/1//2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 2/20/2015
Dissemination Date of Final Work Product: 6/14/2016
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact info
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID298

Title and Description:

U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessment (2016)

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.


ID364 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/24/2016
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get contact info
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID364

Title and Description:

U.S. States and Territories National Tsunami Hazard Assessment (update)

The National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP) requested this update to the 2008 National Tsunami Hazard Assessment following several tsunamis in the 2008 - 2012 timeframe, including the 2009 Samoa, 2010 Chile, and 2011 Japan tsunamis. The NTHMP, a partnership between Federal and State agencies, provides the organizational framework for this collaborative effort of the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC, now part of the National Centers for Environmental Information - NCEI) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The assessment is based largely on a careful examination of the NCEI historical tsunami data, which results in a qualitative tsunami assessment based on the distribution of runup heights and the frequency of tsunami runups and on the USGS National Seismic Hazard Map (NSHM) data to partially extend the time interval. The update also identifies progress in recent tsunami research.

ID:314 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated DIssemination Date: 9/30/2015
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/30/2015
Contact Person: Peter Grimm Get contact info
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID314

 

Title and Description:
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDIFE – OCEAN SAMPLING
PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION

The information being reviewed is a complete documentation of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Ocean Sampling Program (OSP) recreational fisheries data
collection methods. The WDFW OSP is a stratified, two-stage survey designed to estimate total ocean recreational fishery effort and catch by boat type (charter and private), port,
catch area, and trip type (primary target species). In 2010, NOAA Fisheries Marine Recreational Information Program sponsored an independent review of the OSP. Since
then, WDFW has pilot tested improvements recommended in that review. This documentation outlines the improved survey program and is being reviewed again for
potential certification by NOAA Fisheries.

ID343 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: Not given.
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact info
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID343