northwest fisheries science center strategic science plan...10 northwest fisheries science center |...

July 2013

Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Strategic Science Plan

Northwest Fisheries Science Center


July 2013

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNational Marine Fisheries ServiceNorthwest Fisheries Science Center

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 54 Northwest Fisheries Science Center | Strategic Science Plan

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 6

National Priorities for Ocean Research 9

Background 9

Research Theme I: Sustainable, safe and secure seafood for healthy populations and vibrant communities 12

Research Theme II: Ecosystem approach to improve management of marine resources 16

Research Theme III: Recovery and rebuilding of marine and coastal species 19

Research Theme IV: Habitats to Support Sustainable Fisheries and Recovered Populations 22

Research infrastructure and support 25

6 Northwest Fisheries Science Center | Strategic Science Plan

Strategic Research Plan Outline:• NationalPrioritiesforOceanResearch• RoleoftheNorthwestFisheriesScienceCenter• NWFSCResearchThemesandFoci• ResearchInfrastructureandSupport• ResearchStations• Infrastructure:currentcapabilitiesandneeds

- Technologies- Models- Infrastructure- ScienceCommunications- Strategiestomeetfutureneeds

• SupportStaff• Partnerships• ImplementationStrategy

Research Themes and Foci: TheNWFSC’sresearcheffortisorganizedaroundfourmajorthemes(orderdoesnotreflectimportance),andnineteenfoci.TheNWFSCincorporatesclimateresearchintoeachofthesethemestoimproveunderstandingoftheeffectsofclimateonecosystems.Inaddition,eachthemealsointegratessocialscienceresearchthatseekstobetterunderstandthehumanvalues,actions,communitiesandinstitutionsthatinfluencemarineandanadromousfish,marinemammals,andotherspeciesandecosystemsinthePacificNorthwest.

Sustainable, Safe and Secure Seafood for Healthy Populations and Vibrant CommunitiesEffectivefisheriesmanagementprovideseconomicopportunitiesandensuresthelong-termsustainabilityoffisheriesandthehabitatsonwhichtheydepend.TheNWFSCseekstoimprovethequalityandquantityofdatausedinstockassessments,themethodsforassessingstocksandecosystemsustainabilitywithinthecontextofhumanmodificationoftheenvironment.TheNWFSCalsoprovidesstate-of-the-artscienceandtechnologytosupportaquaculturewhileprotectingandmaintainingecosystemhealth.Further,pathogens,toxinsfromharmfulalgalblooms(HABs),chemicalcontaminantsandotherstressorsofmarineecosystemsposesignificantriskstohealthofbothseafoodresourcesandtohumans.TheNWFSCfocusesonresearchtoimproveunderstandingofthoserisks,howtoforecastthem,andidentifymeanstomitigatetheirimpacts.Ecosystem Approach to Improve Management of Marine ResourcesTheCaliforniaCurrentLargeMarineEcosystem,PugetSoundandtheColumbiaRiverBasinarehometoawiderangeoffreshwaterandmarineresourcesthatprovideawealthofecosystemgoodsandservices.EnsuringtheresiliencyandproductivityoftheCaliforniaCurrentandPacificNorthwestecosystemsrequiresanintegratedunderstandingoftheirstructure,function,andvulnerabilitytoincreasedhumanpopulationgrowthincoastalcommunitiesandcompetingusesofcoastalwaterwaysandoceans.TheNWFSC‘sapproachtounderstandingtheselargeecosystemsintegratesstudiesacrossecosystems(terrestrial,freshwater,andmarine)andscientificdisciplinestoinformresourcemanagersresponsibleforconservingmarineresources.

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

TheNorthwestFisheriesScienceCenter(NWFSC)conductsresearchtoconserveandmanagelivingmarineresourcesandtheirmarine,estuarineandfreshwaterhabitat.TheNWFSC’sresearchsupportstheNationalMarineFisheriesService’sWestCoastRegionalOfficeandotheragenciesinmanagingmorethan90commerciallyimportantfishspecies,recoveringover30threatenedandendangeredfishandmarinemammalspecies,andidentifyingandmitigatingcoastalandoceanhealthrisks.TheNWFSCalsofillsanimportantrole,togetherwiththeSouthwestFisheriesScienceCenter,inprovidingthescientificknowledgetoinformmanagementdecisionsonthestewardshipoftheCaliforniaCurrentLargeMarineEcosystem(CCLME).TheCaliforniaCurrentencompassesabroadrangeofcoastalecosystems,diversehabitatsandbiologicalcommunities.TheCCLMEprovidesvitalhabitatforlivingmarineresources,economicdevelopmentwithincoastalcommunities,andaestheticenjoyment.NOAAFisheriesfacestheimmediatechallengeofexpandingresearchrequiredtomeettheNation’sneedsandthegeographicalareaswheretheworkisdone,withlimitedresources.Recently,theNOAAFisheriesScienceBoardcalledforallScienceCenterstoreviseexistingordevelopnewstrategicscienceplansin2012tobemoreresponsivetoagencyandconstituentneeds.ThisNWFSCStrategicSciencePlanaddressestheresearchactivities,infrastructureandsupportservicesenvisionedoverthenext3to5years.Attimes,however,emergingregionalornationalprioritiesmayarisethatwillrequiremoreimmediatescience-relatedinputfromtheNWFSC.TheNWFSCwillrespondtotheseemergingissuesornewinitiatives(i.e.,PugetSoundHabitatInitiative,oceanplanning)bydevelopingaregion-specificAnnualGuidanceMemo(AGM)thatalignscloselywithNOAA’sAGM.ThisgivestheNWFSCtheflexibilitytoaddressemergingscienceandresearchdirectionsnotcapturedunderthecurrentStrategicSciencePlan.TheStrategicSciencePlanwillguidedecision-makingwithintheNWFSCbyprovidingtransparency,aframeworkforimplementation,anddirectionforallocatingCenterresourcestoaccomplishthesegoals.

ThetwodominantsectionsofthisStrategicResearchPlanarethe(1)ResearchThemesandFociand(2)ResearchInfrastructureandSupport.AdditionalsectionsexamineNationalPrioritiesforOceanResearchtoprovidecontextfortheNWFSC’spriorities,adescriptionofNWFSC’sroleinprovidingsciencetosupportmanagement,theskillsanddutiesofsupportstaffnecessarytoaccomplishthescience,andsummaryofthestrategyforimplementingthisStrategicPlan.

NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center


Aerial view of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington (SR-520 runs adjacent to the campus, at the bottom left hand corner)


Recovery and Rebuilding of Marine and Coastal SpeciesThePacificNorthwestishometoseveraliconicendangeredspecies,includingPacificsalmonandkillerwhales,andseveralrockfishspecies.MandatessuchastheEndangeredSpeciesAct,Magnuson-StevensAct,andtheMarineMammalProtectionAct,grantNOAAFisheriestheauthoritytomanagetherecoveryofdepletedspeciesandstocks.TheNWFSCcontributestospeciesrecoverythroughresearch,monitoringandanalysis,providingNOAAmanagersandregionalstakeholdersthetoolsandinformationtheyneedtocrafteffectiveregulationsanddevelopsustainableplansforrecovery.

Habitats to Support Sustainable Fisheries and Recovered PopulationsHealthyoceans,coastalwaters,andriverinehabitatsprovidethefoundationforaquaticresourcesusedbyadiversityofspeciesandsociety.Protectingmarine,estuarineandfreshwaterecosystemsthatsupportthesespeciesreliesonsciencetolinkhabitatcondition/processesandthebiologicaleffectsofrestorationactions.TheNWFSCprovidesthehabitatsciencebehindmanymanagementactionstakenbyNOAAFisheriesandothernaturalresourceagenciestoprotectandrecoveraquaticecosystemsandlivingmarineresources.TheNWFSCalsomaintainsalongstandingfocusontoxicchemicalcontaminants,asafoundationforregionalandnationalresearchonpollutionthreatstofisheriesandprotectedresources.

Research Infrastructure and support:TheNWFSCheadquartersisinSeattle,WAwithfiveresearchstationsstrategicallylocatedinWashingtonandOregontomeetmissionneedsforsciencetosupportmanagementmarineandanadromousspeciesandtheirhabitats.In2010,NWFSCunderwentacomprehensivereviewoffacilities.TheplanningteamcombinedNMFSheadquarterstaff,NWFSCstaffandplanningconsultantrepresentatives.ANorthwestScienceFacilitiesStrategicPlanwasdevelopedtoguideNWFSCfacilitiesdevelopmentandaddresslimitationsofcurrentfacilities.Thesixrecommendationsactionsinclude:

• ModernizetheFisheriesScienceHeadquartersateithertheUniversityofWashingtoncampuswestof15thAvenueNEortheexistingMontlakesite.

• UpdateManchestertosupportAquacultureResearchandspeciesrecovery.• ConstructaCenterforPugetSoundScienceatMukilteo.• InvestincontinuingcollaborativeresearchatNewport.• ContinuetosupportFishEcologyresearchatPasco.Evaluatetheoperationalandfinancialramifica-tionsofpotentialfuturedivestment.

• ConsolidatecoastandestuaryresearchinAstoria.

ThecurrentfocusisexploringthestrategicalignmentwiththeUniversityofWashingtononbenefitsofco-location,furtheringourrelationshipwithOregonStateUniversityontheecologyofthenorthernCaliforniaCurrentbymeansofjointresearchatOSU’sHatfieldMarineScienceCenter,NewportOregon,andpursuingthefinalclearanceofthetransferoftheMukilteofieldstationsitefromtheDepartmentofDefensetoNOAA.Furtherprogressontheseprogramplansiscontingentonfunding.

AnimportantregionaltransportationprojectwillhavedirectimpactsontheNWFSCresearchheadquartersinSeattle,WA.TheSeattleheadquartersfacilityislocatedadjacenttotheSR-520transportationcorridorthatconnectsSeattletotheeastsideofLakeWashington.TheSR-520BridgeReplacementandHighOccupancyVehicleProgramseeksto“enhancesafetybyreplacingtheagingfloatingbridgeandkeeptheregionmovingwithvitaltransitandroadwayimprovementsthroughoutthecorridor(http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/).”TheNWFSCgoalistohelpthisimportantregionalprioritymoveforwardwhilemaintainingourabilitytodocutting-edgescience.

National Priorities for Ocean Research

NOAAFisheriesdescribesitsmissionas“responsibleforthemanagement,conservationandprotectionoflivingmarineresourceswithintheUnitedStatesExclusiveEconomicZone.NOAAFisheriesalsoplaysasupportiveandadvisoryroleinthemanagementoflivingmarineresourcesincoastalareasunderstatejurisdiction,providesscientificandpolicyleadershipintheinternationalarenaandimplementsinternationalconservationandmanagementmeasuresasappropriate.“Manyfactors,bothnaturalandanthropogenic,affectpopulationsoffish,invertebrates,marinemammalsandmarineecosystems.Althoughnaturalfactorscannotbecontrolled,andmanyhuman-causedfactorsareoutsidethecontrolofNOAAFisheries,theagencycollectsandmaintainsscientificinformationtoinformandadvisepolicymakersandmanagers.Understandingandpredictingthehealthandproductivityofmarineecosystemsiscriticaltoourstewardshipmission.TheNWFSCStrategicSciencePlanisalignedwiththismissionandwiththeprioritiesoftheAdministration.

InFebruary2012,Dr.JaneLubchenco,UndersecretaryofCommerceforOceansandAtmosphere,issuedherAnnualGuidanceMemocallingonNOAAtofocusonthefollowingareas:

1. Climate:Throughcollaborativestrategies,continuetoadvancetheobserva-tions,modeling,andresearchnecessarytounderstandclimatechangeanditsimpacts;andtransitionmatureclimatescienceintoregular,reliable,andrelevantinformationservices;

2. Weather: NOAAwillbuilda“Weather-ready”nationbypreservingandimprovingitsabilitytoprovidetimelyandaccurateforecastsandwarningsfortheprotectionoflifeandpropertythroughscience,technology,infrastructureimprovementsandcollaborativeeffortswithpartners;

3. Oceans:NOAAwilladvanceoureffortstoensurethelong-termsustainabilityofmarinefisheriesandrecoveryofprotectedspeciesandtheirhabitats;

4. Coasts: NOAAwilldeliverintegrateddata,information,products,andser-vicesneededtosupportresilientcoastalcommunitiesandeconomies;

Background

“We have a stewardship responsibility to maintain healthy, resilient, and sustainable oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes resources for the benefit of this and future generations. Yet, the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes are subject to substantial pressures and face significant environmental challenges. Challenges include water pollution and degraded coastal water quality caused by industrial and commercial activities both onshore and offshore, habitat loss, fishing impacts, invasive species, disease, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification. Oceans both influence and are affected by climate change. They not only affect climate processes but they are also under stress from the impacts of climate change. Renewable energy, shipping, and aquaculture are also expected to place growing demands on ocean and Great Lakes resources.”

- President Barack Obama

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/


5. Science and Technology: NOAAwillfocusondevelopingsystems-levelunderstandingofecosys-temsandphenomena—acrossmissionsanddisciplines—withthegoalofincreasingtheresilienceofecosystems,economies,andcommunities;

6. Engagement: NOAAwillexpandeffortstolistenandrespondtoourcustomers’andstakeholders’concernsandbetterrelateNOAAmissionresponsibilitiesandactivitiestothoseconcerns;and

7. Organization and Administration: NOAAwillfurthercapitalizeonrecentinitiativestocutcostsandimproveeffectiveness.

Role of the Northwest Fisheries Science CenterTheNWFSCoperatesunderthevisionthat“scientistsattheNorthwestFisheriesScienceCenterconductleading-edgeresearchandanalysesthatprovidethefoundationformanagementdecisionstoprotect,recover,restore,andsustainecosystemsandlivingmarineresourcesinthePacificNorthwest.”NWFSCresearchersarededicatedtoproducingscientificproductsthatwillstrengthendecision-makingatalllevels,enhancesocio-economicbenefits,supportsustainableresourceuse,andconservebiologicaldiversity.

NWFSC Research Themes and Foci

Sustainable, safe and secure seafood for healthy populations and vibrant communities

1. Providescientificsupportforsettingannualcatchlimitsandmeasureresultsofannualcatchlimitimplementation

2. Supporteffectivecatchsharemanagementandevaluation

3. Providescientificsupporttoensuresafeseafoodforhealthypopulationsandcharacterizehowhumanactivitiesandclimateaffectrisksfrompathogens,chemicalcontaminantsandbiotoxins.

4. Developresearchandtechnologytofosterinnovativeandsustainableapproachestoaquaculture.

5. Supportcollaborativecommunity-baseddatacollection,dissemination,andanalysisforfishers,fisheriesmanagement,science,marketing,seafoodsafety,andeducation

Ecosystem approach to improve management of marine resources

6. Providescientificsupportfortheimplementationofecosystem-basedmanagement.

7. Describetheinteractionbetweenhumanactivities,particularlyharvestofmarineresources,andecosystemfunction.

8. Understandhowclimateinfluencesecosystemvariability.

9. Characterizeecologicalinteractions(e.g.predation,competition,parasitism,disease,etc.)withinandamong species.

10.Characterizetheinteractionbetweenmarine,freshwaterandterrestrialecosystemcomponents.

11.Assessecosystemstatusandtrends.

Recovery and rebuilding of marine and coastal species

12.Describetherelationshipsbetweenhumanactivitiesandspeciesrecovery,rebuildingandsustainability.

13.Characterizethepopulationbiologyofspecies,anddevelopandimprovemethodsforpredictingthestatusofpopulations.

14.Developmethodstousephysiological,biologicalandbehavioralinformationtopredictpopulation-levelprocesses.

15.Evaluatetheeffectsofartificialpropagationonrecovery,rebuildingandsustainabilityofmarineandanadromousspecies.

Habitats to Support Sustainable Fisheries and Recovered Populations

16.Characterizerelationshipsbetweenhabitatandecosystemprocesses,climatevariation,andtheviabilityoforganisms.

17.Characterizetheinteractionofhumanuseandhabitatdistribution,quantityandquality.

18.Assesstheimpactsoftoxicchemicalsandotherpollutantsacrossbiologicalscales,andidentifypollutionreductionstrategiesthatimprovehabitatquality.

19.Developeffectiveandefficienthabitatrestorationandconservationtechniques.


Research Theme I: Sustainable, safe and secure seafood for healthy populations and vibrant communities

InthePacificNorthwest,muchofthepopulationlivesatthecoastalinterfaceofterrestrialandmarineecosystems,withanincreasingtrendinthecomingdecades(e.g.,1.4millionmoreresidentsarepredictedinthePugetSoundregionby2020).Theoceanandcoastalenvironmentsprovidenumerousbenefitstohumans,includingnutritiousseafood,variouspharmaceuticalsandnaturalproducts,andopportunitiesforamultitudeofrecreationalandcommercialactivities.

Fishinginoceanandcoastalareassupportseconomicallyviablecommunities,feedspeoplearoundtheworld,andoffersimportantrecreationalopportunities.Effectivefisheriesmanagementprovideseconomicopportunitiesandensuresthelong-termsustainabilityofthosefisheriesandthehabitatsonwhichtheydepend;itisalsohighlydependentupontimely,accurateandreliableinformationaboutthecurrentconditionofstocks,preyspecies,habitatsandhumanresponsestomanagementmeasures.Twooftheresearchfociunderthisthemeareimprovingthequalityofavailableinformationforfisheriesmanagersandsupportingtheminensuringstockandecosystemsustainabilityaswellaslimitingimpactsonhumancommunitiesfrommanagementmeasures.

Thereareotherkeymanagementissuestoprovidingsafeandsecureseafood.First,pathogens,toxinsfromharmfulalgalblooms(HABs)andchemicalcontaminantspresentinmarineecosystemsposesignificantriskstohealthofbothhumansandmarinelife.Criticalgapsexistinourknowledgeofwhatthoserisksare,howtoforecastthem,andidentificationofmeanstomitigatetheirimpacts.NWFSC’sresearchincludesstudiesonoceanandclimatefactorsthatdirectlyimpactseafoodsafetythroughtheireffectsonpathogensandHABs,andstudiesusingsentinelorsurrogatespeciestomeasuretheimpactsofchemicalcontaminantsorotheranthropogenicandnaturalstressorsonhumanhealth.Second,aquacultureproducesasignificantproportionofseafoodconsumedglobally.Aquacultureresearchexploresadiversityofissuesrelatedtothecultureoffishandshellfishforhumanconsumptionandforstockenhancementandrestoration.Tworesearchprioritieslistedbelowfocusonaquaculture,pathogens,HABS,chemicalcontaminantsandsentinelspecies.

Pike Place Market, Seattle WA. (Photo Su Kim, NWFSC)

Research Foci for Research Theme I1. Provide scientific support for setting annual catch limits and measure results of annual catch limit

implementation.Effectivefisheriesmanagementisdependentuponreliableestimatesofcurrentstockstatusandprojectionsoflikelyfuturestatus.Workinthisareafocusesonseveralkeyresearchcomponents.Thefirstgoalistoimprovestockassessmentsandapplications.NWFSCstockassessmentscientistsarecurrentlyusinganddevelopingstate-of-the-artdatacollectionandassessmentmethods.Priorityresearchinthisareaincludescontinuingimprovementofexistingmethods,developmentofmethodsfordata-limitedspeciesandmakingthesehigh-endtechniquesreadilyavailabletoassessmentscientistsaroundtheworld.Asecondpriorityistoimprovedataforstockassessments.Stockassessmentsrelyonbothfishery-dependentandfishery-independentinformation.NWFSCscientistsareinvolvedindesigningandimplementingsurveys,improvingandenhancingdatacollectionmethods,includingdevelopingadvancedtechnologiesforoceansampling,andevaluatingtheresultsofthosesurveys.Annualsurveysareconductedtocollectdataontargetedspecies,habitatsandecosystems;thedataarevitalinputstomathematicalmodelsusedtoinformmanagementdecisions.Third,NWFSCscientistsmeasureandestimatefishery-relatedmortalityforby-caughtanddiscardedspecies.Reliableestimatesofthenumbersanddistributionofnon-targetspeciesaffectedbythefisheryisacriticalcomponentofeffectivefisheriesandprotectedresourcemanagementintheshort-term(withinseasonmanagementmeasures)andlong-term(e.g.restrictedareadefinition).Scientistsdevelopandimprovedatacollectionforthispurpose,aswellasimproveanalyticalmethodsforestimatingthiscatch.

2. Support effective catch share management and evaluationCatchshareprogramsuseallocationsoftargetandby-caughtspeciestoindividuals,withthegoalofimprovingthesafetyandprofitabilityofthefisherywhilereducingenvironmentalimpacts,particularlywithrespecttobycatch.ThistypeofIndividualTransferableQuotaprogramwasimplementedfortheWestCoastGroundfishfisheryin2011.Whilethecatchshareprogramitselfisamanagementconstruct,evaluatingitseffectsandprovidingkeyinformationaboutimmediateharvestandbycatchstatusarescienceissues.Researchtosupportthiscatchshareprogramfallswithinfourareas.First,identifyingcost-effectivemonitoringsystemsisimperative.Currently,theWestCoastgroundfishfisheryrequires100%observercoverage.Determiningwhetheranelectronicmonitoringprogramthatmeetsscientific,management,enforcementandfisheryinformationneedsandiscost-effectiveisakeypriority.Incollaborationwithindustry,statesandfishers,NWFSCscientistsarecurrentlydesigningmonitoringsystems,evaluatingtheireffectivenessandassessingtrade-offsininformationqualityandcostsfortheseprograms.Second,catchshareprogramsaredesignedtoprovideindividualaccountabilityandflexibilityandincreasetheoverallprofitabilityofthefishery.Determiningtowhatdegreethesegoalsareachieved,howchangesaremadeandtheirimpactsonfishingcommunitiesisakeyelementofimprovingmanagementinthelong-term.Third,NWFSCscientistsareevaluatingthebiological,ecologicalandsocialimpactsofthecatchshareprogram.Asaresultofincreasedflexibility,catchsharesprogramsarealsoanticipatedtoalterhumaninteractionswiththeecosystem,inthetimingoffishingactivities,fishingintensityonatleastsomespecies,andpotentiallyonthelocationoffishingactivities.Anyofthesechangesarelikelytohavecascadingeffectsonthestatusofstocksandthesystemsuponwhichtheydepend.TheNWFSCisactivelyworkingwithNOAAandacademicscientiststoevaluatetheseeffects.Andlast,itis

importanttoimprovedatadeliverysystemsformanagement.Toprovidetheflexibilityandaccountabilitythatacatchsharesprogrampromises,datamustbeavailabletofishersandmanagersinnear-real-time.NWFSCscientistsareworkingtoimproveexistingdatabasesystemsandaddnovelcomponentsallowinggreateraccessibilitytodata.

An example of a Pacific Groundfish Industry social network based on results of surveys and interviews with participants in WA, OR, and CA fisheries. Each point represents a person who works in the fishery. Each line represents a communication link between people sharing everyday information about the fishery. Social mapping allows for the identification of key resource informants and demonstrates how informa-tion is transferred within the fishery. (Photo Suzanne Russell, NWFSC)

Research Theme I


3. Provide scientific support to ensure safe seafood for healthy populations and characterize how human activities and climate affect risks from pathogens, chemical contaminants and biotoxins.Theavailabilityofnutritiousandsafeseafoodfrommarineecosystemsandaquacultureareessentialtomaintainandmaximizehumanhealth.Eventhoughfishareknowntohaveavarietyofhealthbenefits,someseafood(wildorfarmed)maycontainlevelsoftoxiccompounds(e.g.,chemicalcontaminants,pathogens,biotoxins)fromavarietyofhuman-relatedandnaturalsourcesthatcanposehealthriskstohumans,especiallyforthosegroupswithhighratesofseafoodconsumption.Thedevelopmentofnovelmethodsandtechnologiestoassessseafoodsafetyandbiologicaleffectsofthesetoxiccompoundsremainsapriorityforcommercial,subsistenceandrecreationalconsumptionofseafood.Forexample,severalspecies(e.g.,zebrafish,sealions,shellfish)areexcellentindicatorsofenvironmentalstressandpotentialhealththreatstomarinespeciesandhumans.Thesespeciescanserveasinformativeanimalmodelsforinvestigationsofthemechanismsoftoxicityordiseaseprocesses.Specificresearchgoalsinclude(1)improvemethodsformonitoringforthepresenceofpathogens,toxinsandcontaminantsinseafoodproducts,(2)characterizetheenvironmentalandclimateconditionsthatmaybefavorableforpotentialbiotoxinandpathogenoutbreaks,(3)developtechnologiestoremovechemicalcontaminantsfromfishfeedandtoenhancethenutritionalcontentofaquacultureproducts,(4)developabetterunderstandingoftheneteconomicandhealthbenefitsofseafoodconsumptionbalancedwiththeriskofexposuretopathogens,toxinsandcontaminants,and(5)developnewmechanisticanimalmodelsforthestudyofinfectiousdiseases,aswellastoxicological,physiological,andbiochemicalprocessesrelevanttomarineanimalandhumanhealth.

4. Develop research and technology to foster innovative and sustainable approaches to aquaculture.TheNOAAAquaculturePolicycallsforenablingsustainableaquaculturethatprovidesdomesticjobs,products,andservicesandthatisinharmonywithhealthy,productive,andresilientmarineecosystems.Toachievethesegoals,NWFSC’sresearchexaminesscientificandtechnicalissuestosupportaquacultureproduction.NWFSCresearchalsoconsiderspotentialimpactsofaquaculturepracticesontheenvironmentandonwildpopulationsoffishandshellfishandmethodsfordiminishingthoseimpacts.Specificresearchobjectivesinclude(1)identifymethodsforreducingrelianceonforagefishproteinandoilinaquaculturefeeds;thisincludestheevaluationofplantandmicrobe-basedalternativesforfishmealandoil,becausefishmealandoilusedinproducingartificialfishdietsisunsustainableandoftenasourceofcontaminants,(2)evaluateandmodelpotentialgeneticimpactsofaquacultureescapesonnaturalpopulations,(3)developshellfishresearchthatwillsupportregionalinitiatives,suchastheWashingtonShellfishInitiative,especiallynativeshellfishrestorationand(4)developnewmarinespeciesforaquacultureandshore-basedmarinerecirculatingaquaculturesystems.

5. Support collaborative, community-based data collection, dissemination, and analysis for fishers, fish-eries management, science, marketing, seafood safety, and education.Dataarenolongerthesoleprovinceoftheagency.Astechnologiesadvance,fishersarecollectingandanalyzingfleetdatainnearrealtime.Datacollectedbyfishersareusedbythefishingcommunitytoreducebycatch,allocatefisheryimpacts,andtraceproductsthroughtheprocessingandmarketingsystem.Fisher-collecteddata,incombinationwithsurveyandoceanographicdata,satelliteremotesensing,economicdata,andsocioculturaldataprovideimprovedunderstandingoffishstocks,fishing,andthenear-shoreecosystem.Collaborativeeffortsincreasethequantityandqualityofdataavailabletotheagencyforscientificanalysis,modeling,fisherymanagement,andconservation.Throughcooperationwiththescienceandmanagementagencies,thefishingcommunitystandstogainmorecontrolandflexibilityoftheirfishingoperations,includingthepotentialforimprovedeconomicefficiency.Increasedavailabilityoffisheriesdatacreatesopportunitiesforeducationandoutreachbothintheschoolsystemandtothegeneralpublic.Further,well-informedlocalleadersconversantinthelatestfisheryissueswillhelpgarnerlocalsupportandfisherbuy-inforimprovedinformationsharing.TheNWFSCwillworkwithindustrygroupstoimprovedistributeddatacollection,compilation,anddistributionformultipleusesinfisheries,management,science,marketing,andeducation.

A new, native shellfish hatchery is being designed to be located at the Manchester research station. This facility will establish a hatchery breeding program for native Olympia oysters (Ostrea lurida) to increase seed production that meets established genetic conservation guidelines. Construction is expected to start in late 2012 and be completed in 2013. The shellfish facility will bring shellfish culture activities back to the Manchester station and NWFSC after a 30-year absence.

Olympia oysters in Puget Sound.

Nook(TM) e-reader adapted for fishermen to collect data at sea. The eInk screen is visible in full sunlight. Data can be transmitted to shore and viewed on the web portal within minutes. On the right, the fisherman’s web portal (fp.fishtrax.org/portal) shows fish caught (orange dots) by an individual fisherman from June 15 to 30, 2010. The path fished is drawn as a black line. The background is satellite-measured chlorophyll concentrations from NOAA CoastWatch. Data displays like this are available to fishermen to help guide their fishing activities. A similar portal for the general public is also available.


Research Theme II: Ecosystem approach to improve management of marine resources

TheCaliforniaCurrentLargeMarineEcosystem(LME)spanstheentirewestcoastoftheUSandsupportsawiderangeofvaluablemarineresources.Inaddition,PugetSound,theColumbiaRiverestuaryandcountlesssmallerestuariesandinlandfreshwaterecosystemssupportsalmonpopulationsandprovidebioticandabioticinputstomarineecosystems.Theabilityofthesemarineecosystemstoproduceimportantproductsandservices–fisheries,climateregulation,pollutioncontrol,energyproduction,transportationandrecreation–dependsontheirintegrity.Humanimpactshaveledtodegradationofecosystemsandcomplexmanagementissuesfromcompetingsectors.Ensuringtheresiliencyandproductivityofecosystemswillrequireunderstandingtheirstructure,function,andvulnerabilitytoanthropogenicactions.Theecosystemapproachresearchthemebuildsuponsciencesupportingcurrentmanagementefforts.Thisapproachintegratesscientificdisciplinesandaccountsforinteractionswithinandacrossecosystems.Researchfociemphasizetheneedtoconductacomprehensiveassessmentofecosystemcomponentsanddevelopappropriatemeasurementindicators;characterizethelinkagesandinteractionsbetweenphysicalprocesses,species,andhumanactivities;andprovideabasistomeasureandpredictecosystemresponsesandsocio-economicbenefitsandcostsofmanagementactions.Thecarefulassessmentofecosystemindicatorswillformasoundscientificbasistoshapemanagementpracticesthatareflexibleandsensitivetochangingconditionsandnewinformation.TheNWFSCprovidessciencesupportformovingresourcemanagementtowardamoreholistic,ecosystem-basedstrategy.

Research Foci for Research Theme II 6. Provide scientific support for the implementation of ecosystem-based management.

Fisheriesscientistsandmanagersrecognizethepotentialforecosystem-basedmanagementtoimprovesustainthedeliveryofecosystemgoodsandservices,includingsustainablefisheriesresources.AnIntegratedEcosystemAssessment(IEA)isoneapproachthatexaminesallavailableinformationonrelevantphysical,chemical,ecologicalandhumanprocessesinrelationtospecifiedecosystemmanagementobjectives.IEAsprovideanefficient,transparentmeansofsummarizingthestatusofecosystemcomponents,screeningandprioritizingpotentialrisks,andevaluatingalternativemanagementstrategiesagainstabackdropofenvironmentalvariability.ToperformIEAsofmajorecosystemswillrequiredevelopmentofprojectcomponents,includingnewandexistingdata,todevelopasuiteofindicatorsthatcharacterizetheecosystem.Carefulassessmentofecosystemindicatorswillprovideapowerfulmeansforassessingmanagementefficacyandabasisforadaptingandimprovingmanagementpractices.AmajorfocuswillbetoproducetheinitialIEAoftheCaliforniaCurrentLMEandthenprovideannualupdates.

Using a state-of-the-art facility, the NWFSC is leading efforts to understand the biological and ecological impacts of ocean acidification throughout the West Coast. The facility is being used to examine multiple stressors (e.g., CO2, pH, temperature, light, feeding rate) for Puget Sound species of economic value, ecological importance, or conservation concern. These animals are grown in conditions that mimic pre-industrial, current, and future ocean carbon dioxide levels to observe changes in animal growth, survival and behavior. (left)

A five step process for IEAs. The bold arrow from the monitoring box to the risk analysis box indicates that analyses will be updated as more data become available. The dotted lines to the other boxes indicate that these steps may need revisiting as more data are collected. (below)

7. Describe the interaction between human activities, particularly harvest of ma-rine resources, and ecosystem function.Humansareanintegralcomponentofecosystems.Theseecosystemsprovidegoodsandservicessuchasfishandseafoodharvests,buttheseactivitiesandotherssuchashabitatalteration,pollution,andoceanacidification,canhavestrongimpacts.Understandingthenatureoftheseinteractionswillrequireobservationalandexperimentalstudiesaimedatidentifyingecosystem-levelresponsestohumanactivities,bothindividuallyandcumulatively,aswellashumanresponsestoecosystemchanges.Modelingspatialchoicesforharvestingandotherhumanactivitiesthatareaffectedbyecosystemintegrity,forexample,cansupportabetterunderstandingoftheeffectsofecosystem-basedmanagementactions.

8. Understand how climate influences ecosystem vulnerability and variability.

Effectiveecosystemmanagementwillrequireanunderstandingofhowclimatevariabilityandclimatechangewillalterriverine,estuarine,andmarinehabitatsandconsequentlyhowthiswillaffectecosystemstatus,functionandrecovery.Keyresearchelementsincludebetterunderstandingofhistoricalecologicalvariabilitythroughtraditional(i.e.,indigenous)sources,exploringthevulnerabilityofkeyspeciesandbioticcommunitiestoexpectedhabitatchanges,includingdecreasingstreamflow,increasedfloodfrequency,increasingstreamtemperature,sealevelrise,oceanacidification,shiftsinoceancurrents,andchangedfrequencyandextentofdeoxygenatedzones.Asecondarygoalistoimproveunderstandingofhowecosystemsrespondtoyear-to-yearanddecadalclimatevariability.AchievingtheseresearchgoalswillprovideNOAAandstateandlocalgovernmentswiththeknowledgeandtoolsneededtoincorporateclimatechangeandvariabilityintomanagementoflivingmarineresources.

Research Theme II

Giant kelp. (Photo Claire Fackler, CINMS, NOAA)


9. Characterize ecological interactions (e.g. predation, competition, parasitism, disease, etc.) within and among species.Predator-preyinteractions,inter-andintra-specificcompetition,andparasitesandpathogensinfluencethesurvival,growth,andreproductivesuccessofanadromousandmarinefishes,marinemammalsandothermarineorganisms.Moreover,anthropogenicstressors,suchaspollutionandfishing,caninfluencetheseinteractions.Becauseofthecomplexnatureoftheseinteractions,addressingquestionsaboutecologicalinteractionswillrequirenovelfieldandlaboratorystudiesandanalyses.Thisincludesecosystemmodels,useofinnovativetechnologies(e.g.,otolithmicrochemistryandstableisotopes),integrationofsamplecollectioneffortswiththoseoftheOceanObservingSystementitiesonthewestcoast,andquantifyinginteractionsamongenvironmentalstressors,speciesbehaviorandecosystemprocesses.

10.Characterize the interaction between marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystem components.Althoughmanyspeciesmigratebetweenconnectedaquatic,marine,estuarineandfreshwaterenvironmentstheyarecommonlystudiedandmanagedasseparateecosystems.Environmentalconditionsinbothmarineandfreshwaterareasarestronglyinfluencedbyflowsofwater,sediment,organicmatterandnutrientsamongecosystems.Moreover,manythreats(e.g.,pollution,habitatloss,climatechange,etc.)tomarineorganismscrossland-seaboundaries.Successfulmanagementofaquaticsystemsthusrequiresanunderstandingoflinkagesamongecosystems,includingstudyofhowspecifichabitats(e.g.,headwaters,floodplains,submergedaquaticvegetation,nearshorezones,plumesandfrontalregions)contributetotheproductivityandcapacityofecosystems,andhowtoprioritizeecosystemprotectionorrestorationwithinthecontextoftheentirefreshwater-estuarine-marineecosystem.

11.Assess ecosystem status and trends Trackingthestatusofecosystemsacrosstimeandspaceisdataintensiveasitnecessitatesevaluatingabroadrangeoftrophiclevelsandenvironmentalconditionsfrompre-Europeantimestothepresent.Becauseecosystemsvaryacrossspaceandtime,theNWFSCmustmaintainaresearchfocusonthedesignandimplementationofmonitoringprogramsthatarecapableofcapturingthisvariability.Keyresearchelementsarethedevelopmentandapplicationofnovelsurveydesigns,thedevelopmentofinformationrichmetricsandindicators,andthedevelopmentofnovelspatio-temporaldecisionsupportmodelstofacilitatetheuseofmonitoringdatainsciencebaseddecisionmaking.Long-termmonitoringprogramdesignshouldbeintegratedwiththedevelopmentofecosystemmodelsandindicatorstoensurethatcriticaldataarecollectedtosupporttheseefforts.Animportantmanagementgoalistheabilitytoquicklydetectimportantchangesinthestateofecosystems(e.g.,presenceofaninvasivespecies)suchthatpreventativeactionscanbetakenassoonaspossible;thus,keymanagementquestionsanduncertaintiesshouldbeidentifiedasthestructureofmonitoringprogramdesigntofacilitatethedecision-makingprocess.ItisimperativethattheNWFSC’smonitoringsciencestrengthsbeappliedtothedesignofecosystemmonitoringprogramsforspecies(e.g.,salmon,rockfish)andecosystemssothatsuchprogramsarestrategicallydesignedtomaximizeuseableinformationandminimizecostandeffort.

Southern Resident killer whale feeding on a Chinook salmon. (Photo Brad Hanson, NWFSC)

Research Theme III: Recovery and rebuilding of marine and coastal species

AnimportantpartofNOAAFisheries’mandateistoincreasetheabundanceofdepletedspeciesandstocks.Thismandatecomesfrommultiplesources,includingtheMagnuson-StevensAct’srequirementtorebuildoverfishedfisherystocks,theMarineMammalProtectionAct’schargeofprotectingmarinemammalsandturtles,andtheEndangeredSpeciesAct’srequirementtoprotectthreatenedandendangeredspeciesofalltypes.ThePacificNorthwestishometoseveraliconicendangeredspecies,includingPacificsalmonandkillerwhales,andalsotosomelesswellknownspeciessuchasPacificeulachon(aspeciesofsmelt)andthreespeciesofPugetSoundrockfish.Tenadditionalfish,sharkand

Research Theme III

A comparison of overfishing (y-axis) and status (x-axis) for groundfish stocks assessed during two periods (1999-2001; 2005-2011). Recent assessment of additional stocks revealed fewer are in an overfished condition, which reflects the agency’s success in rebuilding U.S. Pacific groundfish stocks. Also, fisheries harvested a much smaller fraction of the maximum sustainable yield compared to the earlier period, a difference due in part to management efforts to rebuild stocks to target levels.

The catch from one 15-minute tow during the 2013 West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey. (Photo Keith L. Bosley, NWFSC)

molluskspeciesareclassifiedas“speciesofconcern”.Inaddition,sevenWestCoastmarinefishstocksareclassifiedas“overfished”undertheMagnuson-StevensAct.Humansdependontheseatriskspeciesforsustenance,othereconomicbenefits,andwaysoflife,thusachievingrecoveryandrebuildingofthesespeciesisahighpriorityfortheregionandthenation.TheNWFSCcontributestospeciesrecoverythroughresearch,monitoringandanalysisthatgivesNOAAmanagersandregionalstakeholdersthetoolsandinformationtheyneedtocrafteffectiveregulationsanddevelopsustainableplansforrecovery.

Stock status compares the most recent measure of spawning output (or a proxy) to the first year of spawning output (or a proxy). For each stock, the target is for the Index of Stock Status value (x-axis) to be greater than or equal to 1. Values of the Stock Status Index below the lim-its of 0.625 (vertical black lines) for most groundfish, or 0.5 (dashed pink lines) for flatfish, indicate that the stock was in an overfished condition. The Index of

Overfishing (y-axis) compares fishing mortality from all sources with the catch limits published for those individual species. These “overfishing” catch limits (hori-zontal black lines at 1.0) are set at a level equal to Maximum Sustainable Yield (or a proxy); exceeding those levels is considered overfishing. In addition, there were seven assessed stocks not included in the figure because they lacked fishery status measures. None were below the status limit.


Research Foci for Research Theme III12.Describe the relationships between human activities and species recovery, rebuilding and

sustainability.Humanactivitiesplayamajorroleindeterminingthestatusofspeciesandstocks.Rebuildingandrecoverythereforeneedtoaddresshowtheseactivitiesaffecttheirstatus.AttheNWFSC,biophysicalmodelingisusedtolinkspecifichumanactivitiessuchaslanduseandpollutiontohabitatconditions,andthentolinktheseconditionsandotheractivitiestoparticularlifestages.Thesemodelscanbeusedtoquantitativelyassesshowhumanactivitiesinfluencespeciesabundance,productivity,distributionanddiversity.Notsurprisingly,alteringhumanactivitiesinsomewayisoftennecessaryforspeciesorstockrecoveryandrebuilding.Itisthereforeimportanttounderstandthesocio-economiceffectsofalternativemanagementstructures.Gatheringdataontheireconomiccostsandsocialimpactshelpsidentifyactionsthatarecost-effective.Theseactionswillneedtoberesilienttopotentialchangesinclimatethroughouttheregion.Researchonhowhumansreacttomanagementstrategieshelpspolicymakersavoidthosethatleadtounintendedconsequencesthatcanhinderratherthanhelprecovery.

13.Characterize the population biology of species, and develop and improve methods for predicting the status of populations.Toevaluatespeciesstatusandrecovery,itisnecessarytounderstandkeyaspectsofthepopulationbiologyofthespeciesinquestion.Thisincludesbasicinformationonabundance,agestructure,

recruitment,spatialdistribution,lifehistoryandhowthespeciesinteractswithitsecosystem.Forsomerecoveringspecies,includingmostoverfishedgroundfishstocks,manyESA-listedPacificsalmonstocks,andhighprofilespeciessuchasSouthernResidentkillerwhales,thisbasicinformationisoftenreasonablywellunderstood.Forotherrecoveringspecies,suchasPacificeulachonandsomeESA-listedrockfishspecies,evenbasicinformation(e.g.stockabundance)isunknown.Evenforwell-studiedspecies,keyinformationonsurvivalratesforcriticallifestagesandhowtheenvironmentaffectsthesevitalratesislacking.Withoutbasicinformationonspeciesdynamics,achievingothergoalssuchasquantifyingrelationshipsbetweenhumanactivitiesandspeciesrecoveryorevenknowingifspeciesrecoverygoalsarebeingmetwillnotbesuccessful.TheNWFSC,inpartnershipwithregionalstakeholders,includingstates,tribesandindustry,isconductingresearchtocollectandmonitorcriticaldemographicinformationforrecoveringspecies.

14.Develop methods to use physiological, biological and behavioral information of organisms to predict population-level processes.Understandingthebiologicalprocessesoccurringwithinorganismsisapowerfulwayofunderstandinghowenvironmentalchangesaffectthoseorganisms.Genetics,developmental,physiologicalandbehavioralstudiesallprovideimportantinformationforeffectivespeciesrecoveryandrebuilding.Integratingthisinformationintomodelsisvitaltopredicthowpopulationswillrespondtonaturalorhumanperturbations,andtoassesstheconstraintstostockrebuildingefforts.Forexample,dataonthermaltoleranceandphysiologicalresponsestotemperaturecanbeusedtoexplorechangescausedbyshiftsinclimateonreproductivebehaviorandproductivity,viability,movement,habitatselection,andpopulationdynamics.Similarly,dataoncontaminantsthatimpactphysiologicalprocesses(immunesystem,growth,development,reproduction,andgeneralhealth)arecriticalindetermininghowthesecompoundsaffectpopulationdynamics.Dataonbiologicalresponsesoforganismstooceanacidificationareusefulforunderstandinghowacidificationmayaffectindividualdevelopmentandsurvival.TheNWFSCcollectssuchinformationforseveralspeciesthatareofconcern,targetsoffisheriesorotherwiseimportantforoverallecosystemfunction.NWFSCscientistswillcontinuetoexpandcurrenteffortsanddevelopmethodstoincorporatephysiological,biologicalandbehavioraldataintopopulationmodelsinordertopredictpopulation-levelprocessesfromtheseindividualleveldata.

15.Evaluate the effects of artificial propagation on recovery, rebuilding and sustainability of marine and anadromous species.Artificialpropagationhasthepotentialtoprovidebenefitsbothtospeciesrecoveryandtoseafoodsustainability.Artificialpropagationalsoposesriskstowildspeciesandecosystems.Inthepast,theuseofartificialpropagationhasbeenanimportantriskfactorforseveralthreatenedandendangeredspecies,particularlyPacificsalmon.Assessingtheeffectsofartificialpropagationiscomplicatedbythefactthatprogramsvarywidelyinsize,rearingpractices,andgoals.TheNWFSCconductscriticalresearchontheinfluenceofartificialpropagationonpopulationdynamics,growthrate,ecologyofinfectiousdisease,andtheevolutionaryfitnessofwildfishandothermarineorganisms.Resultsofthisresearchareneededtosupporttherecoveryoffishpopulationsandhavebeenespeciallyvaluableinprovidingcriticalinformationforrecent,largerscalehabitatrestorationactivitiessuchastheElwhaDamremoval.NWFSCwillcontinuetoconductsciencethatinformsthediscussionaboutwhethertoallowfishtorecolonizenaturallyafterbarrierremoval,ortosupplementpopulationswithhatcheryfishandontheimpactsofaquacultureonfishingpressureandpractices,andonthesurroundingenvironmentandecosystem.

Lingcod. (photo Kelly Andrews)

The Elwha Dam (upper left, photo Lighthawk) removal began in the fall of 2011 and was completed in spring 2012 (upper right, photo John McMillian). A second dam on the Elwha River, the Glines Canyon Dam, will be removed by 2013. NWFSC has been continuously gathering information to understand the impacts that the removal of these dams will have on the Elwha River and adjacent marine habitat (lower left, photo Lighthawk & Neal Chism), the salmon populations, and local, regional and national communities. In conjunction with its partners, NWFSC is conducting long-term monitoring in the lower Elwha River to evaluate habitat conditions, fish presence (steelhead, lower right, photo John McMillian), and habitat use and distribution.


Research Theme IV: Habitats to Support Sustainable Fisheries and Recovered Populations

Healthyoceansandnaturalcoastalandriverinehabitatsprovidethefoundationforaquaticresourcesthatsocietydependson.Tomanagewestcoastmarine,estuarineandfreshwaterecosystemsinasustainablefashion,habitatconditionsmustbelinkedtotheirbiologicaleffectsonspeciesatthenestedscalesoftheindividual,population,communityandecosystem.Moreregionalinformationisneededaboutphysical,chemicalandbiologicalhabitatfeaturesthatareimportanttospeciesbylocation,extent,persistence,andcondition.Furthermore,NOAAFisheriesandothernaturalresourcemanagersmustunderstandwhatlong-termprocessesformandsustainriparian,riverine,estuarine,andoceanenvironments.Theseprocessesincludethetransportofsediment,water,andorganicmaterialfromterrestrialareasthroughstreams,torivers,throughestuaries,andintotheocean,oractionsfromextractionthataltersbenthicmarinehabitat.Theyalsoincludetheimpactsoftoxicsandotherformsofpollutionfromland-basedsources,oilspills,andhistoricalhumanactivities.ResearchattheNWFSCprovidesthebasisformanyofthemanagementactionstakenbyNOAAFisheriesandothernaturalresourceagenciesastheystrivetoprotectandrecoveraquaticecosystemsandmarineandandromousspecies.Researchfociinclude:thelinkageofhabitatfeaturestolife-stagesurvival,growthandproductivityoforganisms;mappingthefootprintofhumanactivitiesandtheirimpactstospeciesofinterest;identifyingandminimizingtheharmfuleffectsofpollutiononorganismalhealthandhabitat-formingprocesses;anddevelopingrestorationtechniquesthatarecompatiblewithlarge-scaleprocessestocreatediverseanddynamichabitats.Aswithotherresearchthemes,thedevelopmentofmetricsandevaluationmodelsareneededtoidentifytrends,improvepredictivecapability,anddevelopsustainablemanagementapproachestohabitat.

Research Foci for Research Theme IV16.Characterize relationships between ecosystem processes, climate variability and change, habitat and

the viability of organisms.Developingeffectiveconservationandrestorationstrategiesforspeciesorpopulationsrequiresaclearunderstandingofhowecosystemprocessesandclimatechangewillinfluencetheviabilityoforganismsinthefuture.Keyresearchneedsinclude(1)evaluatingthevulnerabilityoforganismsandecosystemstoclimatechangeandhumanimpacts(e.g.,fishing,pollution,landuse),and(2)devisingadaptationstrategiesthatwillhelpachieveconservationgoalsdespiteclimatechangeandincreasinghumanpressures.Understandinghowclimatechangeortrendsinhumanimpactsmightinfluenceorganismsisbasedonanunderstandingoflinkagesbetweenecosystemprocesses,habitatconditions,andabundance,survivalordemographicsoforganisms.Thisnecessitatesmodelinginfluencesofecosystemprocessesonhabitatsandspecies,ordevelopingmodelstoexamineinfluencesofhumanpressuresonpopulationorecosystemdynamics.Withthisfoundation,vulnerabilityassessmentscanfocusonunderstandinghowinteractionsbetweenclimatechangeandhumanimpactsinfluencevulnerabilityofspeciesorpopulations.Adaptationstrategiesrequireknowledgeofcurrentconservationneeds,predictionsofhowthoseneedsmightchangeasaresultofclimatechangeorfuturehumanimpacts,andassessmentsoftherobustnessofalternativeconservationstrategiesortechniquestoclimatetrends.Primnoa pacifica providing habitat for rockfish. Washington, Olympic Coast NMS. (Photo Ed Bowlby/NOAA)

Research Theme IV

Overlap of salmon life history stages and timing of climate change effects on stream flow and temperature will determine effects of climate change on salmon viability. This example shows how two different species will interact with predicted climate change effects in snowmelt-dominated rivers of the Pacific Northwest.

17.Characterize the interaction of human use and habitat distribution, quantity and quality. Theabilitytodefinethestateofanecosystemrequiresinsightintothenaturalprocesseswithinhabitats,andhowanthropogenicinteractionswiththeseprocessescanalterecosystemsandmarineorganisms.Awidediversityofhumanactivities--landuseandwaterwithdrawals,industrializationanddredging,fishingpracticesandclimatechange(e.g.,oceanacidification)--directlyandindirectlyimpactcriticalfreshwater,estuarine,andmarinehabitats.Tobestmanagewestcoastmarine,estuarineandfreshwaterhabitatsinasustainablefashion,itisnecessarytomapthespatialandtemporalfootprintofhumanimpactsandreviewtheirpotentialbiologicalimpactoneachspeciesofinterest.Measurementparameterswillbedevelopedtodeterminethefullrangeofhumanimpactsusingspatialdataandimprovedhabitatclassification.


18.Assess the impacts of toxic chemicals and other pollutants across biological scales, and identify pollu-tion reduction strategies that improve habitat quality.TheNWFSChasbeenattheforefrontofmarinepollutionresearchformorethanfourdecades,providingsciencesupportforseveralmajorevents,includingtheExxonValdezoilspill,HurricaneKatrina,andtheDeepwaterHorizondisaster.Land-basedsourcesofpollutionareanincreasinglyimportantthreattoNOAAtrustresources,andNWFSCscienceisevolvingtofillpriorityinformationgapsattheregionalandnationalscales.Thisincludestargetedresearchonmajorclassesofcontaminants(e.g.,crudeoil,pesticides,metals,pharmaceuticalsandotherchemicalsofemergingconcern);surveillancemonitoringtoassesstheexposure,healthandstatusofspeciesinpollutedhabitats;exposure;monitoringtoassessthesuccessofhabitatrestorationefforts;andresearchtoevaluatetheeffectivenessofnewgreeninfrastructuretechnologies.Ongoingeffortsspanallbiologicalscales,frommolecularmechanismsoftoxicitytopopulationandcommunity-levelresponses.

19.Develop effective and efficient habitat restoration and conservation techniques.Maintainingandre-establishingviabilityandsustainabilityoflivingmarineresourcesrequiresconservationandrehabilitationorrestorationofhabitatsuponwhichspeciesdepend.Commonhabitatrestorationapproachesandtech-niquesoftenpresumethathabitatsarestaticfeaturesoftheenvironment,andthatcreationofstablehabitatsisadesirablerestorationstrategy.However,riverine,nearshore,andmarinehabitatsarecreatedandsustainedbydynamiclandscape,climatic,andoceanographicprocessesandbiotaareadaptedtochanginghabitatsthatarewithintherangeofnaturalvariability.Hence,currentrestorationstrategiesoftenhavelimitedsuccess,inpartbecausetheyfailtorecognizelargerscaleprocessesthatdrivehabitatchange,andinpartbecausetheyfailtorecognizeintrinsichabitatpotentialofindividualrestorationsites.Themaingoalsofthisresearchfocusareto:improveunderstandingofhowlarge-scaleprocessescreatediverseanddynamichabitatsthatsupportmarineandanadromousspecies,betterunderstandhowhumanactivitiesalterhabitat-formingprocessesandhabitats,developnewrestorationtechniquesthatarecompatiblewithsustainablehabitat-formingprocesses,andunderstandthevarietyofactionsneededtoadequatelyconserveintactcriticalhabitats.Inaddition,NWFSC’sresearchwillimproveunderstandingofhownewandexistinghabitatrestorationandprotectiontechniquesaffectfishandhabitatatmultiplescales(i.e.,reach,watershed,EvolutionarilySignificantUnit).

Research infrastructure and support

The NWFSC research activities require the active development and improvement of Center infrastructure and support capabilities. This section briefly describes the tools, facilities, and support staff needed to enable high-priority research.

Infrastructure: The NWFSC maintains the infrastructure for critical data management functions, laboratory facilities, field sampling, and administrative activities

TheNWFSC,withitsheadquartersinSeattle,WAandfiveresearchresearchstationsinWashingtonandOregon,ishometomorethan400scientistsandstaff.TheNWFSCheadquartershousestheOfficeoftheScienceDirector,aswellasseniorleadership(e.g.,Directors,ProgramManagers)andstaffforitsfivedivisions:ConservationBiology;EnvironmentalConservation;FishEcology;FisheryResourceAnalysisandMonitoring;ResourceEnhancement&UtilizationTechnologies;andOperations,Management,andInformation.ThemanagementstructureoftheNWFSCfollowsthe“HubandSpoke”paradigm,wheretheorganizationisarrangedlikeawheelinwhichmanagementdirectionmovesalongspokestoitsresearchstationsthatareconnectedtomanagementatitshub.TheOfficeoftheScienceDirector,aswellastheDivisions’Directors(i.e.,thehub)providesoverallleadershipandcoordinationfortheCenter’sscienceprogramsandensuresthatadequateresourcesareavailabletoitsresearchStations(i.e.,thespokesofthewheel)toaccomplishresearchprioritiesandthattheCenter’sscienceisresponsivetoregionalandnationalmanagementneeds.EachoftheNWFSC’sresearchstationsprovidesauniquecapabilityandoptimizedaccesstothemajorhabitattypesandspeciesofstudyinthePacificNorthwest.Research Stations:• Manchester (WA).Manchesterhousesthelargestmarinenet-penresearchcomplexonthewestcoast,aswellassaltwatersystemsanduniquesalmonandmarinefishaquaculturefacilities.MajorareasofstudyatManchesterincluderesearchonaquaculturetechnologies,conservationhatcheries,captivebroodstocks,stockenhancement,fishgeneticsandbehavior,andPIT-tagtechnology.

• Mukilteo (WA).LocatedontheshoresofPugetSound,Mukilteohasahigh-qualityseawatersystemaswellasspecializedlaboratoriesandequipmentforstudyingtheeffectsoftoxicsubstancesonmarineandanadromousspecies.MajorareasofstudyatMukilteoincludetherearingofmarineflatfishandjuvenilesalmonforpopulationstudiesandunderstandingthelifecycleofmarinespeciesandinvesti-gatingtheimpactsoftoxinsandpollutantsonlivingmarineresources.

Salmon habitats in the shrub-steppe region of the Pacific Northwest have been dramatically altered by past land use activities, resulting in entrenched channels with little floodplain or riparian vegetation, low summer flows, and high temperatures. New techniques to encourage beaver recolonization in specific locations help to increase groundwater levels, restore summer stream flows, and reduce stream tempera-tures for salmon. (Photos Tim Beechie, NWFSC and Kent Miller, USNPS)

Research Infrastructure & Support

Elwha River. (Photo Ruth Howell), NWFSC)


• Pasco (WA).PascoislocatedontheColumbiaRiver.ScientistsatthisstationareengagedprimarilywithresearchonthemigrationandsurvivalofanadromousfishthroughtheColumbiaRiverhydro-electricsystem.Pascohasauniquefabricationshopthatenablesscientiststoquicklybuildandmodifyresearchequipmenttosupportawiderangeoffishpassage,migration,andhabitatresearch.

• Newport (OR).WithitsproximitytothePacificOceanandthenewMarineOperationsCenter–Pacific,Newportisahubforcollaborativeandocean-basedresearch.MajorareasofstudyatNewportincludesurveyingPacificgroundfish,identifyingessentialfishhabitat,investigatingfishdisease,andstudyingthelinksbetweentheoceanfoodwebandclimatechangeandvariability.

• Point Adams (OR). PointAdams,atthemouthoftheColumbiaRiver,providesanidealsiteforstudy-ingestuarineandnear-oceanhabitats.MajorareasofstudyatPointAdamsincludeunderstandingtheestuarineecologyofjuvenilesalmonandevaluatingtheroleoftheColumbiaRiverPlumeastransitionhabitatforjuvenilesalmonbetweenfreshandsaltwater.

Infrastructure: Current Capabilities and NeedsImplementingresearchprioritieswillrequiretheactivedevelopmentandimprovementofCentercapabilitiesinseveralareas:(1)technologiesthatallowscientiststoobserveandanalyzeocean,estuarineandfreshwaterenvironments;(2)modelstoevaluatealternativescenariosandeffects;and(3)targetedchangesinthedatamanagement,laboratoryfacilities,andfieldsamplinginfrastructureoftheCenter.Inaddition,theNWFSCrealizestheimportanceofcommunicatingitssciencetootherscientists,decision-makers,andthepublictoincreaseawarenessandsupportfortheCenter’swork,fosterunderstandinganduseofCenter’sinformation,products,andservices,aswellasimprovestewardshipofcoastalandmarinespeciesandtheirhabitat.Last,NWFSChasbeenworkingwithNMFSHQandaplanningteamtodevelopaFacilitiesStrategicPlanthatidentifiesthespecificstepstomeetourfutureresearchneeds.1. Technologies: Oceanenvironmentsandtheorganismsthatinhabitthemarenotoriously

challengingtoobserve–thescalesarelarge,theorganismsareoftenfragile,crypticorunknown,andthehabitatisademandingandexpensiveoneforhumanstooccupyforprolongedperiodsoftime.Technologythatenablesustogaininformationremotelyaboutoceanographicorotherenvironmentalconditionsandaboutorganismsacrosswideareasorininaccessiblehabitatsisahighpriority.Otherkeytechnologiesincludethosethatallowustounderstandtheinteractionbetweenorganismsofinterest,theirhabitatsandhumans.

- Observational systems and technologiesrangingfromsmallscalenetswithtowedcamerasandacoustics,oranimalsinstrumentedwitharchivaltags,tolarge-scaleoceanobservationsystems,remotesensing(satellites,multi-beam,LIDAR,hyperspectralimagery,etc.),andremoteandau-tonomousunderwatervehiclesfacilitatetheobservationandmappingofoceanconditionsatlocaltoecosystemscales.Assensingandcommunicationstechnologiesimprove,newopportunitiesfordistributeddirectmeasurementswillemerge.Acombinationofmeasurementandobserva-tionacrossscalesareneededtoground-truthremotesensingdata.Thesecanthenprovidelinksbetweenbasin-scalephysicalandbiologicaloceanographyandtheprocessesinfluencinglocalpopulationdynamicsandstockstatus.

- Tagging and remote sensing technologies for individual organismshaveprogressedrapidlyoverthepastseveraldecadesasthepowerofcomputershasincreased,electroniccomponentshavedecreasedinsize,andtheabilitytodetectsignalsremotelyhasincreased.Theabilitytodetectandidentifyindividualanimalsgreatlyenhancestheabilitytotrackmovement,survivalratesandotherdemographicandbehavioralinformation.Thesedataareneededtomakedecisionsonalteringmanagementstrategiesforprotectinglistedstocks.

- Population structure and patterns of movement canbedeterminedbyrecentadvancesingenetictechniques,isotopes,andtheidentificationofparasites.Improvedsamplingandthroughputtechnologiescanmakesignificantcontributionstowardthisgoal.Forinstance,suchtechnologiescouldallowobserverstotakethousandsofgeneticsamplesonboats.Datafromthosesampleswouldsignificantlyimproveourabilitytodelineatestocks.

- Landed catch, bycatch and discard hasnotbeensystematicallymonitoredforsomeWestCoastfisheriesuntilrecently.TheWestCoastGroundfishObserverProgram(WCGOP)wasestab-lishedin2001toimproveestimatesoftotalcatchanddiscardinwestcoastfisheries.Theprogramdeploysobserversandcollectsat-seadatafromlimited-entrytrawlandfixedgearfleetsaswellasfromopenaccess,nearshore,prawn,andshrimpfleets.AnintegratedelectronicrecordingsystemforfishticketandlogbookinformationforthePacificcoastwouldvastlyimprovetheabilitytotrackgroundfishcatchesinseasonandtoproducereal-timeestimatesoflandingsand

Schematic diagram of the flexible sorting grate designed to reduce rockfish bycatch in the Pacific hake fishery (top); aft view of the forward portion of the excluder where fish enter and encounter the device (bottom left image); forward view of the space where fish would enter after passing through the port panel of the vertical sorting grate and move aft towards the codend (middle image); forward view of the space where fish unable to pass through the sorting grate are forced out an exit ramp (bottom right im-age). The concept of this design is that fish smaller than the sorting grate openings (i.e. Pacific hake) will pass through the grate openings and be retained, whereas fish greater than the sorting grate openings (i.e. rockfishes) will be excluded from the trawl out an exit ramp.


discardneededfortimelymanagementdecision-making.Inaddition,NWFSChasdevelopedtwoautonomousunderwatervideocamerasystemsforfilmingcommercialfishinggearandfishbehaviorduringfishingoperations.Thepurposeofthesevideocamerasystemsistoprovidetrawlandfixedgearfishermenwithequipmentforevaluatingindustry-designedapproachestoreducebycatchandreduceimpactstobenthichabitats.

- Geographically or spatially linked analysis and interpretation: Marineandfreshwaterresearcheffortsincreasinglyrelyonlargegeospatialdatasetstoaddressissuessuchasindividualandpopu-lation-levelmovementpatterns,climatechangeeffectsonstreamflows,oceancirculationpatterns,andpatternsofcurrentandfuturelanduse.Maintainingup-to-dateGIScapabilities,includingsoftware,databasesandsupportstaff,willbeacriticalelementofconductingthelandscape(andoceanscape)scaleanalysesthatcontributetomultiplegoals.

- Socio-economic surveysaretheprimarymeansofcollectinginformationanddatausedtodescribetheinteractionsbetweenhumansandlivingmarineresources.Twoimportantpolicythemesforsocio-economicanalysisarecommercialandrecreationalfisheries,andconservationandecosystemmanagement.

- Bioinformatics includeadvancesingenomictechnologies;sensorsthatcanbeusedfortherapiddetectionofpathogens,harmfulalgae,andtoxins;andassociatedinstrumentation.Moleculartechniquesthathavebeenusedtoidentifyspeciesandstockstructurecanalsobeusedtoassessgeneexpressionpatternsintheassessmentofecosystemfunction.Developmentofsharedcom-putationalbioinformaticstoolsrequireshardware,softwareandpersonnelwithspecificexpertise.PresentlytheNWFSChashardwareandsoftwareforabioinformaticscorefacility.Personnelwithspecificexpertiseinbioinformaticsareneeded.

2. Models and the Data to Support Them: Modelingprovidesaframeworkinwhichtodescribeasystemindetailoringeneral,toevaluatetheeffectsofalternativeactions,andtocharacterizethesensitivityofasystemtoperturbations–allofwhichareessentialforeffectivemanagement.Itiscritical,however,thatthesemodelsaresupplementedbyexperiments,directedobservationalstud-iesandotherresearcheffortstodevelopthedatatoestablishparametersandevaluatethemodels.SeveraltypesofmodelsarebeingusedordevelopedattheCenter:

- Socio-economic modelsarenecessarytomeasurethebenefitsprovidedbynaturalresources,andhowthosebenefitsmaychangesasresourceflowschange.Economicvaluationandbehavioralmodelsareneededtoevaluatebothuseandnon-usevalues,aswellasregionaleconomy,com-munityandsocialimpacts.Thesemodelswillbelinkedtobiologicalandecologicalmodelsofhabitatdistribution,quantityandquality.

- Risk assessment modelsattempttoanalyzebiologicalinformationinthefaceoflimiteddata,andarelimitedbythedifficultyofcapturingbiologicalcomplexitythroughmodelswithmanyparameters.Researchisneededtoincorporateadditionalbiologicalinformationintosimplemodels,andtodevelopmethodsforincorporatingorspecifyinguncertainties.

- Population dynamic models canbequitesophisticated,butsubstantialimprovementintheirutilitycanbeachievedbydevelopingwaysofincludinginformationonspatialdynamics,theroleofsizeandagecompositioninpopulationdemographics,anddemographicandenvironmentalstochasticity.Attheecosystemlevel,forecastingtheseimpactsrequiresunderstandingcomplexdynamicscontrolling:1)productivityofpopulationswithinvarioustrophiclevels,2)predator-preyinteractions,3)connectednessofsub-populations,4)impactsofnaturalclimatevariationandchange,and5)anthropogenicpressures.

- Life cycle modelsareusefultotranslatechangesinlife-stagespecificdemographicrates(survival,capacity,andfecundity)intochangesinpopulationviability.Theyareparticularlyusefultoexpressthepredictedbenefitsofmitigationactionsacrossthelifecycleinthecontextofotherpopulation’sdriversincludingclimatevariabilityandchange.

- Evolutionary modelsarevaluableforanalyzingpopulationdynamicsof,andgenetically-basedchangesin,exploitedspeciesorkeycomponentsofdisturbedecosystems.Evolutionaryap-proachestothisproblemwilllinkmultivariategeneticmodelsoflifehistoryvariationtoanalysesofpopulationdynamicsandviability.

- Models to support ecosystem approaches to managementarebeingdevelopedandinclude:1)modelsaimedatprioritizingsitesforconservation,2)data-drivenstatisticalmodelsthatestimatepopulationorcommunitydynamics,and3)foodwebsimulations.

- Models treating habitats and landscapescontributetoeffectiverecoveryplanningbyanalyzinghowhabitatrestorationactionswillaffectpopulationviabilityandsustainability.Fewmodelsareavailabletosimulatehownaturalprocessesformandsustainhabitat.Integrationofdataonthequantity,qualityandspatialdistributionofhabitatcanimprovethepredictivepowersofassess-mentmodelsandguidefisherymanagement.

- Designation and delineation modelsarebeingdevelopedinresponsetotheMagnuson-StevensFisheryConservationandManagementActrequirementthatregionalfisherymanagementcouncilsdescribeEssentialFishHabitat(EFH)intheirfisherymanagementplans.Impactsonessentialhabitatfromfishingactivitiesotheractivitiesmustbeminimized.ThemodelssupportNationalMarineFisheriesServicemanagerswhentheyworkwithotheragenciesandthePacificFisheryManagementCounciltomodifyactivitiesthatmightharmEFH.


- Integrated modeling approachesovercomemanyofthelimitationsdescribedaboveandachievethecrucialgoalofintegratingphysical,chemical,ecological,andfisheriesdynamicsinathree-dimensional,spatiallyexplicitdomain.Inthesemodels,ecosystemdynamicsarerepresentedbyspatiallyexplicitsub-modelsthatsimulatehydrographicprocesses(light-andtemperature-drivenfluxesofwaterandnutrients),biogeochemicalfactorsdrivingprimaryproduction,andfoodwebrelationsamongfunctionalgroups.Thesemodelsrepresentkeyexploitedspeciesatthelevelofdetailnecessarytoevaluatedirecteffectsoffishing,andtheyalsorepresentotheranthropogenicandclimateimpactsontheecosystemasawhole.

3. Infrastructure:TheNWFSCmaintainstheinfrastructureformanycriticaldatamanagementfunc-tions,laboratoryfacilities,fieldsamplingandadministrativeactivities.Building,office,laboratory,libraryfacilitiesandsea-watersystemsarerequiredtoachieveresearchgoals.Recently,theCenterworkedcollaborativelywithNOAAFisheriesHeadquartersandMAKERSConsultantstodevelopa“NorthwestScienceFacilitiesStrategicPlan”thatidentifiesfacilitiesneedstosupporttheNWFSC’sscienceprioritiesnowandintothefuture,andrecommendsactionstoachievethatvision(seebelow,“Strategiesforfutureneeds”).ResearchactivitiesattheNWFSCaresupportedbyfacilitiesinWashington(Montlake,Mukilteo,Manchester,Pasco)andOregon(PointAdams,Newport).

- Data managementattheNWFSCisusedtoefficientlygeneratescienceguidanceproductssuchasESAstatusreviews,MSFCMAstockassessmentsandIEAs.TheCentermustalsohavethecapacitytoarchive,compileandinter-relatenumerousindependentdatatypesrunningintothemillionsofrecords.Astandardizedprotocolfordatasecurityneedstobedevelopedandsupport-edtoprotecttheCenter’slargeinvestmentinelectronicdata.TheentireCenterstaffneedstobeinvolvedinadiscussionofhowtoidentifyandsupportDataStewardsforresearchandcorporatedatathataremaintainedbyCenterstaff;andtheCenterneedstohaveadatamanagementstrategythatmeetstheneedsofmultiplescalesofdatamanagement.

- Data exchange: Inadditiontointernaldatamanagement,plansareneededtoexchangedatawiththefishingindustryinnear-real-timeandlinkourdatasystemstothelargerpooloffishery,environmental(e.g.,satellite,buoy,IOOS),andeconomicdatathatarebecomingincreasinglyavailable.KnowledgegainedthrougheffectivedataintegrationandanalysiswillallowtheCentertobetterrespondtorisingresearchprioritiesecosystem-basedfisherymanagementandclimatechange.

- Laboratory facilitiesareimportantinachievingresearchgoals.Althoughmanyfacilitiesarealreadyoperational,modernizationofthesefacilitieswillbetterallowNWFSCscientiststocon-ductstate-of-the-artscience.Someidentifiedneedsincludespecializedlaboratoriesandsupportpersonnel(e.g.,molecularbiology,environmentalchemistry),fishculturefacilitiesandwetlabs,andcomputationalresources.

- Vessels and aircraft for research: Large-scale,interdisciplinaryoceanresearchrequirestheuseoflarge,sophisticatedresearchvesselscapableofextendedcruisesinroughseaconditions.Thebroadnatureofoceanographicsamplingrequiresmanysensorsofatmosphericandoceancondi-tionsandtheabilitytodeployandretrievemanygeartypes.Estuarineandriverinesamplingdonotposethelogisticlimitationsinshipsizeasdoesoceansampling.TheNWFSCownsandoper-atesafleetofsmallboatsnecessaryfornearshoreandestuarineresearchactivities.TheNWFSCalsoreliesonbothNOAAandcharteredcommercialvesselsand,toalesserdegree,reliesonaircrafttocompletemissioncriticalfieldwork.TheNWFSCiscommittedtomaintainingandex-pandingthefunctionalityofavailableoperationaldaysofNOAAshipsandaircraftbycontinuingtoworkcloselywithNOAA’sOfficeofMarineandAviationOperationsandbyworkingwiththecommercialcommunitytoretainaccesstoanduseofcharteredshipsandaircraft.Furthermore,PugetSoundisanestuaryofregionalsignificance.TheNWRandNWFSCsupportthecrossagencyPugetSoundHabitatInitiative.TomaintainneededsurveycapabilitytheNWFSCisseek-ingpartnershipinacquiringaresearchvesselwiththecapabilitytosampleinthekeysubbasinsofPugetSound.

- Gear storage: GearstorageneedsforsamplinggearincludingATVs,equipment,boats,nets,trawlsandotherfieldandlaboratorygearhavebecomeacuteinrecentyears.Dedicatedandacces-siblestorageforthisgeariscritical.

- Observer office and training facility:AdditionalspacefortheObserverProgramisneededtohouseobserverstaffandprovideformeetingandtrainingactivities,aswellasstorageofequip-ment,samplesandsupplies.Thisconsolidationwillgreatlyimprovecosteffectivenessandef-ficiencyoftheprogram.

- 4. Science Communications:TargetedcommunicationadvancesNOAA’sgoalofscience,service,and

stewardship.TheCenterprovidesgraphicdesign,webdesign,writing,media,socialmedia,internalcommunications,andstrategicoutreachsupporttoCenterscientistsandmanagersandworksinclosecollaborationwithNOAAFisheriesCommunicationsTeam,WestCoastRegionalOfficeCommunicationsTeam,andotherpartnersinandoutsideoftheagency.HighqualityoutreachandeducationeffortsenabletheNWFSCto(1)betterfulfillitsresponsibilitiestoprovidethescien-tificbasistomeetNOAA’sstewardshiprolebya)ensuringresourcemanagersandothershavethescientificinformationtheyneedtoconserveandmanagemarineandanadromousspeciesandtheirhabitatandb)bycreatingawell-informedpublicthatunderstandsearthsystemsandactsasastew-ardofcoastalandmarineecosystems(Communications,Media,andStrategicOutreach),(2)ensureadynamic,diverse,andinterdisciplinaryfutureworkforcewithcompetenciescriticaltoadvancingearthsystemresearch,bothnowandinthefuture(Education)and(3)facilitateflowofinformationnecessaryforstafftodotheirjobswell(InternalCommunications).

5. Strategies to meet future facilities needs: AlthoughtheNWFSChasmadeandcontinuestomakesubstantialinvestmentsintothetoolsneededfurtherourresearchobjectives,modificationstofacili-tieshavetypicallybeeninresponsetochangingdemandsratherthanplannedchangesforfuturefacilityneeds.Thisreactiveapproachisinefficient,anddoesnotprepareNWFSCtoaccommodatenewtechnologiesorrespondtimelytoemergingresearchneeds(i.e.,aquaculture,climatechange,ecosystems,habitatrestoration,marineplanning,andsocioeconomics).Tosustainstate-of-the-artscienceforemergingresearchefforts,CenterleadershipworkedcollaborativelywithNOAAFisheriesHQandMAKERSConsultantstodevelopa“NorthwestScienceFacilitiesStrategicPlan’.ThisfacilitiesstrategicplanprovidesacomprehensiveoutlineofthefacilitiesneededtosupporttheNWFSC’smission,todayandtomorrow.Itidentifiesareasofcurrentandfutureresearchfocus,presentsavisionforfacilitiesneededtosupportthesciencepriorities,andrecommendsactionstoachievethatvision.


Thesixrecommendationsactionsinclude:- ModernizetheFisheriesScienceHeadquartersateithertheUniversityofWashingtoncampuswestof15thAvenueNEortheexistingMontlakesite.

- UpdateManchestertosupportAquacultureResearchandspeciesrecovery.- ConstructaCenterforPugetSoundScienceatMukilteo.- InvestincontinuingcollaborativeresearchatNewport.- ContinuetosupportFishEcologyresearchatPasco.Evaluatetheoperationalandfinancialramifi-cationsofpotentialfuturedivestment.

- ConsolidatecoastandestuaryresearchinAstoria.

ThecurrentfocusisexploringthestrategicalignmentwiththeUniversityofWashingtononbenefitsofco-location,furtheringourrelationshipwithOregonStateUniversityontheecologyofthenorthernCaliforniaCurrentbymeansofjointresearchatOSU’sHatfieldMarineScienceCenter,NewportOregon,andpursuingthefinalclearanceofthetransferoftheMukilteofieldstationsitefromtheDepartmentofDefensetoNOAA.Furtherprogressontheseprogramplansiscontingentonfunding.

AnimportantregionaltransportationprojectwillhavedirectimpactsontheNWFSCresearchheadquartersinSeattle,WA.TheSeattleheadquartersfacilityislocatedadjacenttothe520transportationcorridorthatconnectsSeattletotheeastsideofLakeWashington.The520BridgeReplacementandHighOccupancyVehicleProgramseeksto“enhancesafetybyreplacingtheagingfloatingbridgeandkeeptheregionmovingwithvitaltransitandroadwayimprovementsthroughoutthecorridor(http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/).”TheNWFSCgoalistohelpthisimportantregionalprioritymoveforwardwhilemaintainingourabilitytodocutting-edgescience.

Support staffTheNWFSCresearchactivitiesrequirededicatedandknowledgeabletechnicalandsupportstafftodesign,prepare,stage,andmaintaincriticalequipmentandinstrumentsandfacilities.TheCenter’sresearchbringstogethermanydisciplines,includingfisheriesscience,marinebiologyandecology,genetics,biochemistry,molecularbiology,oceanography,andphysiology.Inaddition,manyoftheCenter’sresearchprojectsareconductedincooperationwithotherorganizations,includingfederal,state,local,tribal,andacademicentitiesthroughouttheregion,nation,andworld.TheNWFSCmustcontinuetodedicatestaffandbudgetaryresourcesforoperationsandadministrativefunctions.Continuedinformationtechnologysupportiscriticaltoensurecomputersystemsaresecureandfunctionalandtodevelopandmaintainnecessarydatabasesandapplicationsforresearchandadministrativefunctions.Laboratory,field,andofficesafetyisapriorityandanessentialpartofsuccessfulperformanceofNWFSCresearch.Staffwiththeexpertiseandresourcestomaintainourfacilities,andtoensureworkplacesafetyandenvironmentalcompliancearecriticalsupportfunctionsthatmustbesupported.

Partnerships Partnershipswithotherinternational,federal,state,academic,tribalandprivateorganizationsmaximizetheutilityofscientificinformationandprovideanexcellentmeansforcollaborationsthatenhancetheNWFSC’sabilitytoachieveitsgoalsandobjectives. Successfulpartnershipsleveragetalent,funding,andcapacitythatusuallyresultingreateroutcomesthananyindividualentitycoulddoonitsown.ExamplesofpartnershipswithinternationalscienceorganizationsincludetheNorthPacificMarineScienceOrganization,InternationalCouncilfortheExplorationoftheSea,NorthPacificAnadromousFishCommission,PacificSalmonCommission,andtheDepartmentofFisheriesandOceansCanada.TheNWFSChaspartneredwithstateagenciessuchasWashingtonStateDepartmentsofFishandWildlife,NaturalResources,Ecology,andHealth,aswellasacademicinstitutions–UniversityofWashington,WashingtonStateUniversity,andOregonStateUniversity.TheNWFSCalsopartnerswiththeNorthwestIndianCollegetofamiliarizeindigenousstudentstoNOAAscienceusedtoaddressimportantregionalissues.SeveralNWFSCStrategicSciencePlanthemesandfoci(e.g.,seafoodsafety,aquaculture,habitats,ecosystem-basedmanagement,speciessustainability)aligncloselywithissuesofimportancetoourtribalconstituents.

Implementation strategy AccompanyingtheStrategicSciencePlanwillbeanImplementationProcess,outliningtheprocessesforresourceallocation,decision-makingandcommunicationtoaccomplishcoreactivitiesandhighpriorityresearch.Whilethisisenvisionedasaseparatedocument,theImplementationProcessandStrategicSciencePlanwillworktogetherasguidingdocumentsfortheNWFSC.

Eachyear,NWFSCleadershipdevelopsaregionalAnnualGuidanceMemo,closelyalignedwithprioritiesofNOAA,whichareoutlinedinNOAA’sAnnualGuidanceMemorandum(AGM),NOAA’sNextGenerationStrategicPlan(NGSP),andNOAAFisheriespriorities.TheNWFSChasdevelopedacomprehensiveProjectDatabasethatisacompilationofallprojectsbeingconductedattheCenter,includinginformationonareaofresearch,staffinvolvement,budgets,andothermetadatacomponents.Thedatabaseorganizesresearchactivitiesinaconcisemanner,togetherwithresourcesdedicatedtoeachactivity.Eachactivityisalignedtoaparticularthemeorfociandthenprioritized.Theassessmentconductedthroughtheuseofthedatabasewillthenbeused,alongwiththeNOAAAGMprioritiesandregionalpriorities,toguidedevelopmentofelectronicAnnualOperatingPlanmilestones.SpecificprogresstowardmeetingthegoalsoutlinedinthisresearchplanisarticulatedintheelectronicAnnualOperatingPlanandtrackedbycompletionoftheidentifiedmilestones.Inaddition,dataproducedbytheprojectswillbereadilyavailabletoend-users,completewithassociatedmetadata.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/

U.S. Secretary of CommercePenny Pritzker

Acting Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Undersecretary of CommerceDr. Kathryn D. Sullivan

Acting Assistant Administrator for NOAA FisheriesSamuel D. Rauch III

Science and Research Director for Northwest Fisheries Science CenterDr. John E. Stein

July 2013

www.nmfs.noaa.gov

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Northwest Fisheries Science Center2725 Montlake Blvd. E

Seattle, WA 98112

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