New meeting summary report

Posted on November 17, 2015

In April 2015, the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) and several other partners convened the Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Research and Monitoring Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. The objectives of the meeting were to identify high priority marine mammal information needs for the next 5-15 years and to discuss existing and emerging funding opportunities in the Gulf. More information regarding the meeting, as well as PDF versions of the presentations and posters, is available at: http://www.mmc.gov/gom/gom_meeting.shtml

Report highlights include:

-Participant input on information needed regarding marine mammal abundance, distribution, habitat use, and behavior to monitor restoration of marine mammal post-Deepwater Horizon and mitigate impacts of human activities in the Gulf, including those associated with oil and gas exploration and development, commercial and recreational fishing, shipping, tourism, military operations, and pollution. Specific data collection needs identified by presenters and breakout groups are included in the report. 

-Information about funding opportunities in the Gulf and potential alignment to expand marine mammal restoration, research, monitoring, and analytical capabilities in the Gulf. Funding opportunities for marine mammal research and monitoring discussed at the meeting included the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Restoration Plan, the RESTORE Act various “buckets,” the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, the NAS Gulf Research Program, the NFWF Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program, and the Joint Industry Program on Sound and Marine Life. 

The Marine Mammal Commission hopes that information presented at the meeting and summarized in the report will help pave the way for additional collaboration in the Gulf region. We would like to thank the Steering Committee members and all of the meeting presenters, session moderators, breakout group leaders, sponsors, and participants who contributed their time and efforts to make the meeting a success.