https://cdn.earthdata.nasa.gov/conduit/upload/5182/KeywordsCommunityGuide_Baseline_v1_SIGNED_FINAL.pdf 23.7 2026-04-15T10:53:30.610Z https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/KeywordViewer/scheme/providers/4271e7d0-b722-4039-9d1a-ee3a0d2c5de0 DOC/NOAA/NMFS/AFSC The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is the researchbranch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration'sNational Marine Fisheries Service responsible for research onliving marine resources in the coastal oceans off Alaska and offparts of the west coast of the United States. This region ofnearly 3 million square miles includes the North Pacific Oceanand the eastern Bering Sea which support some of the mostimportant commercial fisheries in the world. These waters arealso home to the largest marine mammal populations in theNation. The mission of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center is toplan, develop, and manage scientific research programs whichgenerate the best scientific data available for understanding,managing, and conserving the region's living marine resourcesand the environmental quality essential for their existence.The Alaska Fisheries Science Center conducts field andlaboratory research to help conserve and manage the region'sliving marine resources in compliance with the Magnuson-StevensFishery Conservation and Management Act of 1996, the MarineMammal Protection Act of 1972, and the Endangered Species Act of1973. Center scientists compile and analyze broad databases onfishery, oceanography, marine mammal, and environmentalresearch. These data are used to develop policies and strategiesfor fisheries management within the U.S. Exclusive EconomicZone, monitor the health of the region's marine mammalpopulations, and assess the impacts of chemical contaminants andphysical alterations on select organisms and marine habitats.The primary responsibilities of the Center are to providescientific data and technical advice to:The North Pacific Fishery Management CouncilThe Pacific Fishery Management CouncilThe NMFS Alaska Regional OfficeU.S. representatives participating in international fishery andmarine mammal negotiationsThe fishing industry and its constituentsThe Center also coordinates fisheries and marine mammal researchwith other Federal and state agencies, academic institutions,and foreign nations.Research programs at the Center are managed and conducted through theResource Assessment and Conservation Engineering DivisionResource Ecology and Fisheries Management DivisionNational Marine Mammal LaboratoryAuke Bay LaboratoryProgram objectives are carried out at the AFSC Directorate inthe NOAA Western Regional Center's Sand Point Facility inSeattle, Washington, and from facilities in Alaska and Oregon.Website: 'http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/'[Summary provided by AFSC]