A workshop chaired by NAMMCO will be held online from 21-23 March to assess bearded seal status and trends through its entire distribution in the Arctic and identify knowledge gaps. The specific objectives of this workshop are:
• Consider new knowledge from 2010-present
• Examine progress in defining stock structure by exploring:
• Outcomes of new genetic analysis
• Other data informing stock structure (e.g., indigenous knowledge, distribution and movements, hunting patterns, vocalisations, etc.).
• Review the NOAA Bearded Seal Review (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/bearded-seal) and assess population/stock abundance, trends, status, health, and condition.