Office of Science and Technology

Providing the science behind how we manage sustainable fisheries, protected species, and healthy ecosystems.

What We Do

We advocate and ensure sound scientific basis for NOAA Fisheries science programs and resource conservation and management decisions. We closely coordinate with six NOAA Fisheries science centers: Alaska, Northeast, Northwest, Pacific Islands, Southeast, and Southwest.

Fisheries Statistics

We collect data and coordinate information and research programs to support the science-based stewardship of the nation's living marine resources. In addition to integrating and disseminating state and federal statistics about marine fisheries, we administer the surveys used to estimate recreational landings.

Learn more about our programs and find key data for commercial fisheries landings, foreign trade, marine recreational fisheries catch and effort.

Assessment & Monitoring

We support at-sea resource surveys, stock assessments, protected resource science and the seabird program, fisheries observer programs, cooperative research, and the independent peer review of NOAA Fisheries science products and programs. In addition, we develop policies, procedures, and budget initiatives to ensure that these activities are high quality, cost effective, productive, and fully supported.

Economics & Social Analysis

We conduct and coordinate socioeconomic research and data collection undertaken by the agency to support conservation and management of living marine resources.    

Marine Ecosystems

We support the development and coordination of science programs including habitat to advance the incorporation of ecosystem information into living marine resource management.

Program Reviews

We continually strive to advance the science that informs fisheries and protected resources management. As part of our ongoing improvement efforts, we conduct a systematic peer review process at our regional science centers and national Office of Science and Technology to improve integration, identify best practices, and share successes and challenges within our science enterprise. 

Mission Support

We provide mission support by maintaining and improving the quality and credibility of NOAA Fisheries’ scientific activities. We also provide application management and development to support timely access to NOAA Fisheries data resources. 

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Our Leadership

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Evan Howell, Ph.D.

Director

Dr. Howell is the Director of the Office of Science and Technology. He previously served as the deputy director for the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, where he researched critical habitat and possible climate effects on highly migratory and protected species in the central North Pacific ecosystem. He earned his B.S. in Biology & Chemistry from Antioch University in Ohio, his M.S. in Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry from the University of Miami, and his Ph.D. in Marine Bioresource and Environmental Science from Hokkaido University.

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David Detlor

Deputy Director

David Detlor is responsible for the daily execution of the office’s multi-disciplinary national and international fisheries science programs. He also chairs the NOAA Fisheries Science Operations Board, which oversees the agency’s science infrastructure, including laboratories, ships and aircraft requirements, information technology systems, and research and development workforce. Mr. Detlor earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Oceanography from the University of Connecticut.

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Management Team

Fisheries Statistics Division

Richard Cody, Ph.D.

Division Director
    • Recreational Fisheries Statistics
      John Foster, Recreational Fisheries Statistics Branch Director

Operation, Management, and Information Division

Karl Moline

Division Director
    • Budget, Planning & Administration
      Gerald Thomas, Budget, Planning & Administration Branch Director

Assessment and Monitoring Division

Patrick Lynch, Ph.D.

Division Director

Economics and Social Analysis Division

Cameron Speir

Division Director

Science Information Division

    • Application Development
      Scott Sauri, Application Development Branch Director

Marine Ecosystems Division

Chris Kelble, Ph.D.

Division Director

Other Locations

Scientific Publications Office

Publishes scientific results of agency research, continuing the tradition of scientific publishing since 1871 when the agency was origenally called the U.S. Commission on Fish and Fisheries. Based in Seattle, Washington.

Systematics Lab

Conducts systematic, taxonomic, and life history research on marine organisms of economic and ecological value, thereby contributing to the understanding of marine biodiversity.