Small vessel surveys are conducted within estuarine and nearshore coastal waters to collect tissue biopsy samples from bottlenose dolphins. Visual surveys are conducted to find bottlenose dolphin groups, and then close approaches are made to collect tissue samples using specialized darts that are deployed using either air rifles or crossbow. Photographs are collected during the encounter to identify individuals and document the response to the sample collection. The skin and blubber samples collected support genetics, stable isotope, and contaminant analyses. These data have been used to delineate different stocks of bottlenose dolphins in estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico.

This catalog cetacean skin and blubber samples collected during both small boat and shipboard surveys. Samples are collected using projectile darts. The catalog also contains the database with Information associated with the sample collection and storage.

These data sets include a compilation of small vessel based studies of bottlenose dolphins that reside within Mississippi Sound and nearshore coastal waters. The data consist primarily of photo-identification studies that use natural markings on animal dorsal fins to identify individuals over time. Surveys consist of line transects aboard small boats with concentrated effort to collect photographs of individuals. These photographs are reviewed to identify and catalog individual animals. In addition, several targeted studies have been conducted within this program to collect tissue biopsy samples for genetic and contaminant analyses. These data are used to examine demographic structure and population dynamics of the Mississippi Sound stock of bottlenose dolphins.

Samples of skin and other tissues are collected from marine mammals along the U.S. east coast by a variety of researchers. Samples may be collected from live animals through remote biopsy or live-capture, stranded animals, or animals captured incidentally during fishery operations. DNA is extracted from these samples, sequenced, and analyzed using a variety of methods to support phylogenetic studies, stock delineation studies, and a variety of other analyses related to cetacean genetics in U.S. waters. These data sets include the sequence and other genetic data collected from these samples along with analytical results. These data contribute to delineation of stocks described in annual Marine Mammal Protection Act stock assessment reports.

The main market sampling program in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is the new biosampling program implemented in late 2010 on the island of Saipan. It is a joint Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and industry project with a local environmental consulting firm doing most of the field work, data processing, and obtaining of life history samples. DFW is working up some of the life history samples for that aspect of the project. It is strictly a voluntary data collection system requiring ingenuity to obtain the participation of a large percentage of the main fish vendors on the islands of Saipan, Rota and Tinian. All catches are from the CNMI with some of them coming from up to 100 miles from Saipan. It is a census sampling program of 100% of the commercial harvest of a subsample of the trips landing during any sampling period. Due to logistics and resource limitations, the majority of sampling was initially (Dec 2010-late 2012) focused on the spearfish reef fish fishery on Saipan. This has since expanded to include information on the bottomfish fishery as well data from Tinian and Rota. Life history samples are also being collected on several species on reef fish and one deep bottomfish. These data are considered confidential.

This data set includes separate bioSampling logs from each LHP Bottomfishing cruise in the Hawaiian, Samoa, and Mariana Archipelagos as well as a master file with all records. While the data have not changed from previous InPort records (see Node 10806), this is part of an effort to standardize and streamline all life history program databases for past and future cruises. These data to NOT contain biosampling measurements for fish caught in non-cruise-related activities (e.g. fish acquired from auction).

The Guam Commercial Fisheries Biosampling program, which collects length and weight frequency data for whole commercial catches, and samples 4-8 species for in-depth life history studies as well as DNA (finclips) and voucher specimens for the Fish Barcode of life, began in August, 2009. Guam has had very little market-based commercial size sampling over the years. However, the new bio-sampling program has been quite successful and robust, due to the cooperation and participation of the Guam Fishermen's Cooperative Association. Census sampling of a high percentage of the non-pelagic fishing trips has been conducted since late 2009. As with the other CFBS programs, catch, effort, and fishing location are recorded for a majority of the fishing trips and every fish or invertebrate harvested is identified, measured and weighed for each fishing method encountered with the exception of trolling. Life history samples are also collected and processed for a number of reef fish species. These data are considered confidential. Continuation is subject to availability of funds.

Samples of skin and other tissues are collected from marine mammals along the North-Central Gulf of Mexico from live animals through remote biopsy or live-capture or stranded animals during 2010-2014. DNA is extracted from these samples, sequenced, and analyzed using a variety of methods to support phylogenetic studies, stock delineation studies, and a variety of other analyses related to cetacean genetics associated with the Natural Resources Damage Assessment associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These data sets include the sequence and other genetic data collected from these samples along with analytical results. These data support stock delineation studies and a variety of other analyses related to cetacean genetics and are incorporated into the Deepwater Horizon Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan.

FIsh caught on NOAA R/V Townsend Cromwell cruises from 1982 to 1998 and NOAA R/V Oscar E Sette in 2007 and 2009 were measured and/or weighed and sex determination was conducted. Specimen samples were also preserved from selected fishes.

There was a fairly short-lived market sampling program created by the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) staff back in the mid to late 1990s which focused on obtaining species ID, length and weights primarily from the spearfishing reef fish fishery. There is no known database for this information. In October 2010, with new funding from Congress, FMB established a far more robust commercial fisheries biosampling program at DMWR that focuses on obtaining life length and weight frequencies for whole commercial catches and detailed life history samples for 4-6 selected species annually, plus fishing location and effort (hours fished) data from local primarily spear and bottomfish fishers. The biosampling program is on-going and will continue as resources permit. In addition to obtaining census samples for entire catches from a sample of the fishing trips landing on Tutuila, it also obtains otolith and gonad samples from a few species that are being submitted for life history work (e.g. size, age at maturity, etc.). These data include individual identifiers and are considered confidential.