Northwest Atlantic Pinniped Health Risk Factors

Abstract

The Northwest Atlantic Seal Research Consortium (NASRC) developed a Heath Working Group during the Consortium’s Organization Meeting in April of 2013. In January of 2016, a short-term work plan was established, which included the identification of risk factors impacting seal health. The culmination of risk factors facilitated the identification of regional questions and priorities to concentrate research efforts and resources. A follow-up in-person meeting was held on March 18, 2016 in Gloucester, MA to refine a working draft of risk factors, develop a plan to move forward with inventorying available samples, and initiate standardization of prospective sample collection. This report is the result of these meetings, and is intended to serve as a working planning document, in which additional components will be incorporated to develop a comprehensive Pinniped Health Assessment Plan.