WORKING GROUP ON MARINE MAMMAL POPULATION DYNAMICS AND TROPHIC INTERACTIONS (WGMMPD)

A Working Group on Marine Mammal Population Dynamics and Trophic Interactions [WGMMPD] under thechairmanship of Dr G.T. Waring (USA) will meet at ICES Headquarters from 12–15 March 1999 to:a) complete Tables 2 and 3 (in Doc. ICES C.M. 1998/G:6) on cetacean prey for ICES/NAFO areas, which willprovide a broad-scale summary of preferred prey;b) continue the review of seasonal and spatial distribution and abundance data for several focal species (harbourporpoise, bottlenose dolphin, beluga whale (three IWC candidate species), grey seals and harbour seals) and theirprey;c) review data on prey size and compare these to size frequency in commercial catches and/or fisheries survey data;d) review infestation levels and transmission rates of cod worm, relative to grey seal population growth and expansionin the east and west Atlantic;e) review and evaluate information on potential ecological effects of fishing on marine mammal trophic interaction;f) obtain peer review of the Working Group Report by a member of the Living Resources Committee prior to the1999 Annual Science Conference;g) comment on the draft objectives and activities in the Living Resources Committee component of the ICES Five-Year Strategic Plan, and specify how the purpose of the Working Group contributes to it.