LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dear NPRB Stakeholder,
This is the fifth biennial report that NPRB has published since we began funding marine science in 2002. Prior to the first biennial report appearing in 2009-2010, NPRB published “The Foundational Years 2001-2008,”* detailing key budgetary and program developments, and – most importantly - research proposals funded by NPRB for each year of operation. Charged with funding “cooperative research efforts designed to address pressing fishery management or marine ecosystem information needs,” (43 USC §1474d (e)(2)) in some of the most dynamic and productive ecosystems on earth, the substance and scope of the work has changed over time to meet pressing research needs consistent with the NPRB’s mission. Each of the previous biennial reports included a letter from the Chairman of the Board: Ian Dutton for 2009-10; Eric Olson for 2011-12 and 2013-14; and Dan Hull for 2015-16. We - all five members of the Board’s Executive Committee - are pleased to present the current report in this transitional period between Dan Hull’s chairmanship (2014-October 2018) and the Board’s elec- tion of a new chair in spring 2019. We thank Dan for his exceptional and dedicated service not only to NPRB but to the larger communities who depend on the research that NPRB funds. NPRB has accomplished much in the two years that are the focus of this report: two successful cruise seasons for the Arctic Integrated Ecosystem Research Program, funding 49 research projects under the Core Program, which is also transitioning to a no-deadline submissions approach, granting twelve graduate students to help launch them on marine science careers, providing dedicated funding to outreach efforts associated with Core program research, and reaffirming NPRB’s commitment to long-term monitoring in the waters around Alaska, all while continuing to address NPRB’s reduced funding in ways that support strong science. We encourage you to spend time digging into the details that catch your attention in the following pages.
None of this work would be possible without the dedication of NPRB’s Board, Science and Advisory Panels, the hundreds of other volunteers who provide peer review, research ideas, and other feedback on the region’s science needs, and the talented professional staff that supports all of their efforts. We extend our sincere thanks to every one of you.
* All of these reports are available at https://www.nprb.org/nprb/about-us/
Left to right: Matt Robinson Andy Mezirow Tara Riemer Forrest Bowers Not Pictured: Doug Mecum
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