The Dedicated Vessel Research Program Records, which date from 1972 to 1980, document the entire scope of the DVRP project undertaken in the late 1970s, and includes records generated by the DVRP as well as other records and publications scientists used, read, or considered over the course of the project.  The tuna/porpoise problem is heavily documented. The collection consists of agreements, summaries, reports, permits, notes, plans, "green books", logs, transcripts, letters, sighting records, raw data, statements, expendable bathythermographs ("XBTs"), correspondence, news clippings, publicity releases, photographic slides, and video. The collection is divided into five series: Background Material, Cruise Files, Statements and Stocks of Porpoises (SOPs), Correspondence and Reports, and Media.

The Background Material, dating from 1972 to 1980, documents the creation and operation of the research program, and includes records dating from well before research started to those generated after the project's completion. The series is divided into five sub-series: Agreement, Permits, Reports, Notes, and Summaries. The agreement (December 30, 1977) concerns the utilization of a dedicated vessel and gives the Marine Mammal Commission, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the United States Tuna Foundation's stipulation for the Dedicated Vessel Research Program. The Permits include gear permits and the marine mammal permit, as well as the Marine Mammal Protection act of 1972 and other laws regarding the vessel research. The Reports are the progress reports for the cruises and the overview and final report. The Notes are for the photographic slides, prints, and movies.  The Summaries are of the cruises.  Each sub- series is sorted alphabetically by file name.

The Cruise Files, dating from January to December 1978, document the procedures and events that took place on each cruise, as well as personal observations of personnel who worked on the project.  It includes records generated throughout each cruise from beginning to end. The series is divided into five sub divisions: Cruise I, II, III, IIIa, IV, and V. Most subdivisions include a cruise plan, "green books", logs, records, transcripts, "XBTs", and a cruise summary. Each sub series is filed in the order the cruises took place. Researchers should note that the third cruise was run two times, and the collection includes records from both Cruise IIIs.  Each cruise was individual in its research and records, though the sub-series resemble each other.  Each sub-series is filed chronologically by date.

The Statements and Stocks of Porpoises (SOPs) series dating from 1976 to 1980, and documents the porpoise populations and the condition of porpoises in the eastern tropical pacific region.  It includes statements regarding the Dedicated Vessel Research program and reports of the workshop on stock assessment of porpoises involved in the eastern pacific tuna fishery. The "SOPs" discuss the optimum sustainable population, various dolphins associated with stock assessments, and essential research.  The series is filed alphabetically by file name.

The Correspondence and Reports series, dating from 1976 to 1980, documents the interaction of the DVRP with various sponsoring organizations, including the Marine Mammal Commission, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and United States Tuna Foundation, as well as what information the research program released to the press, and press coverage received by the project.   It includes various reports and letters of correspondence. The series also holds reports for each DVRP cruise as well as news clippings and publicity releases. These include pictures and information the research program opened to the press, as well as articles written in the newspaper about the program. The series is filed alphabetically by file name.

The Media series, 1978, consists of photographs and video footage taken during all 5 DVRP cruises. The series is divided into two sub series: Photographic Slides and Video. The Photographic Slides include pictures of crewmen, fishing operations, boats, fishing equipment, fish, and birds.  The videos cover aspects of fishing operations, personnel, and fish. The Photographic Slides and Video sub-series are filed according to who took, or owned, the media.  The DVRP's filing and numbering system is intact.