Protected species assessments increasingly rely on integrating novel data types to enhance assessment capabilities, answer key science and management questions, and fill in data gaps. This session focuses on incorporating data from ‘omics and acoustics into assessments, particularly to quantify abundance and distribution and monitor changes that occur. We will discuss recent advances that have contributed to an increasing reliance on acoustic data and highlight the use of acoustics to assess anthropogenic impacts such as ocean noise. Contributors are also invited to highlight the use of ‘omics in current and future assessments and discuss benefits and challenges associated with ‘omics.  Lastly, we welcome contributions on integrating ‘omics and acoustics into analytical models.  

Protected species are facing unprecedented impacts from new and increasing marine development activities. Understanding these impacts (both direct and cascading) is crucial to the conservation and recovery of vulnerable species. This session focuses on integrating direct and cascading impacts from non-fisheries sectors such as offshore wind development, oil spill response, and aquaculture on current and future protected species assessments. Contributors are invited to share their experiences with addressing science and management needs. Participants will discuss what data are lacking both regionally and nationally, what additional assessments are needed, and if we have the necessary tools to meet these needs. How can we further integrate protected species assessments into cross-disciplinary impact assessments to help address needs? Lastly, we will discuss how new and increasing marine development may impact our ability to conduct protected species assessments.

Deep Water Horizon Breakout Session - This breakout session will focus on lessons learned from the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill and restoration efforts and welcome presentations that address the following: (a) How can we develop an assessment framework to evaluate the impacts of restoration actions across resource types, (b) How can we incorporate monitoring data, external drivers and stressors into these evaluation frameworks? (c) What are the most feasible qualitative or quantitative methods to examine patterns and trends across multiple parameters with known or hypothesized relationships to better understand ecosystem level processes? (d) How can we assess the impacts of habitat restoration actions (e.g., freshwater diversions) on protected species?

PSAW III will include a poster session focusing on any topic related to protected species assessments, including topics covered in oral presentation sessions.  Posters will be displayed during Day 2 and Day 3 at the Kovens Center.  We look forward to having a wide variety of poster presentations and will have designated times for presenters to interact with workshop attendees.  We also encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to share their own work with protected species both within the US and internationally.