Steller Sea Lions at a haulout
The SSC received a series of presentations from ecosystem program leads at the AFSC Marine Mammal Laboratory, as requested by the SSC in December 2017. The purpose of the presentations is to regularly bring to the SSC information about marine mammals of conservation concern, or for those with unexpected survey or research results. For this meeting, Dr. John Bengtson provided an overview of the Marine Mammal Laboratory, Dr. Tom Gelatt provided an overview of the Alaska Ecosystem Program and recent survey results for the Eastern and Western Distinct Population Segments of Steller sea lions. Dr. Peter Boveng provided an overview of the Polar Ecosystems Program and provided information about harbor seals and Bearded seals. Dr. Phil Clapham provided an overview of the Cetacean Assessment Program, and information about the eastern Pacific population of North Pacific right whales. Future presentations will occur during the February Council meetings. Staff contact is Steve MacLean.
