NASRC AND NEFSC (VIRTUAL) MEETING

“The Power of Partnerships”

The Northwest Atlantic Seal Research Consortium (NASRC) grew from a series of meetings held over 15 years ago in response to the issues and concerns related to increasing seal populations along the New England coast. The Consortium was established to help bring people together, with the mission to work collaboratively to improve our understanding of the ecological role of seals in the Northwest Atlantic. We continue this vision through coordinated research efforts, sharing of data, collaboration amongst all stakeholders and public outreach.

The partnership between NASRC and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) seal research program has exemplified the power of collaboration to advance seal science and outreach over the years. From setting goals, identifying data gaps, understanding research needs, and sharing time, expertise, and outreach materials. For this meeting, NASRC and the NEFSC seal research program will jointly share and discuss updates on seal research and management in the region.

This meeting will be virtual and a little different than past meetings. In this year of disconnect, we want you to be heard (and seen!) and share what is important to you.

Instead of scientific presentations, we welcome NASRC participants to share what seal related issues/work you are currently focused on, and/or what concerns you might have- not in scientific presentations, but as short, 1-2 minute (max), pre-recorded video or a pre-recorded slide or two (we can help you) about what is important to you and what keeps you up at night. If you prefer to raise a question or have a topic to address, we can include these as well. If you have any links to research or posters, we can also make them available! Please send questions/topics/links to nasrcsteering@gmail.com or to me personally at abogomolni@gmail.com. Please send these by June 25th 2021.

Finally, we have thought a lot as well about "what keeps us up at night." As part of this meeting, we will hold a panel discussion on a topic in need of attention, specifically the issue of increasing gray seal bycatch.

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The Power of Partnerships - hosted by NASRC and the NEFSC seal program