For about 1 penny per American per year, the Marine Mammal Commission has met its Congressional mandate to conserve marine mammals for over 50 years. 

We work to ensure that marine mammal populations are restored and maintained as functioning elements of healthy marine ecosystems in the world's oceans.

Annual Meeting of the Marine Mammal Commission

September 9-11, 2025

A drone is used to drop a tag onto the back of a sei whale (Credit: Laura Howes under NOAA Fisheries Permit #18059).

The Commission is planning to hold its 2025 Annual Meeting on September 9-11 in La Jolla, California, focusing on emerging technologies to improve efficiency and support innovation for marine mammal stock assessments.

Assessing marine mammal stocks gives us valuable information on population trends, productivity rates, estimates of human-caused mortality and other sources of serious injury, and more. These assessments allow federal agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation and recovery measures, and to adjust management approaches as needed. The Commission meeting will be public and open to all.

Over the course of the meeting, the Commission will feature presentations and panels across four sessions. For details view the draft public agenda.

More details will be released in advance of the meeting on the Commission's Annual Meeting webpage.

The Importance of Large Research Vessels

NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter photographed with a blue whale during a research project in the North Atlantic Ocean in 2011 Credit: NOAA Fisheries under Permit #779-1633).

Marine mammal conservation and management rely upon the data collected on research surveys. Data collected on NOAA research cruises helps us understand the range, size, and health trends of marine mammal populations, and to document marine ecosystem changes which may impact the size and distribution of marine mammal populations. Survey data informs Stock Assessment Reports, which guide management of marine mammal populations and their habitats, as mandated by the MMPA. NOAA’s research surveys rely on a fleet of 15 ships and ten aircraft operated by the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). During surveys, vessels conduct line-transect and other surveys to record visual and acoustic sightings of marine mammals and other wildlife. They also collect associated environmental data, such as salinity and water temperature, to monitor the marine ecosystem.

A new multi-authored publication led by scientists from Scripps Institute for Oceanography, highlights the continued need for large research vessels to effectively monitor marine ecosystems. Research vessels enable repeated observations and sampling over long periods of time and serve as stable platforms and mobile labs for collecting and processing in situ data from marine ecosystems. The authors assess the capabilities of research vessels relative to other ocean observation tools, including remote sensing devices, remote operated vehicles, buoys, and fixed platforms to demonstrate the importance of research vessels as the “backbone” of ocean observing systems. While autonomous and other emerging technologies provide exciting prospects for advancing marine science, the authors suggest that these technologies are complementary to ship-based sampling, rather than a replacement.

New MMC-affiliated publications, media, and reports!

Below are a few recent media highlights that reflect some of the ongoing scientific research, collaborations, and accomplishments of our world-renowned marine mammal scientists. For a reminder about our Commissioners, Committee of Scientific Advisors, and Staff, visit our website. 

Harbor Seals in North Carolina - Andy Read

Guiana dolphin distribution projections - Laura May-Collado

Conflicting Values in Aquaculture - Robin Fail

Refugia for Mobile Species - Karin Forney

Local Leaders at Arctic Encounter Summit - Vera Metcalf

Right Whale Calves in Cape Cod - Daniel Palacios

Phthalate Chemical Exposure in Bottlenose Dolphins - Randall Wells

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