Stock Assessment Peer Review:
Findings and Actions
Shannon Cass-Calay
Caribbean Fishery Management CouncilApril 2015
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Background
• NOAA Fisheries developed an annual, standardized peer review process to review major programs:
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FY Review Topic
13 Data collection programs supporting stock assessments
14 Stock assessment programs
15 Protected species programs
16 Ecosystem and climate science programs
17 Economics and social science programs
18 Strategic plan review and update
FY14 Terms of Reference
• Science and technical approach• Assessment process• Peer review process• Communication• Research Opportunities• Ecosystem considerations and next generation
assessments• Organization, priorities and accomplishments
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Panelists
Name Affiliation
Michael Hansen USGS – Great Lakes Science Center (Chair)
Ewen Bell UK, Center for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Joe Hightower NC State U., Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Bob Atlas NOAA Research, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
Bill Karp NOAA Fisheries, Northeast Fisheries Science Center
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Key Findings – SEFSC Response
• Streamline the SEDAR process and put stronger emphasis on update assessments
• Simplify harvest control rules and stock assessments
• Adopt plans for “Methods Working Group” to standardize data inputs and analytical approaches
• Strengthen communications for stakeholders, using Marine Resource Education Program as a model
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Key Findings (continued)
• Simplify stock assessment documentation• Employ Management Strategy Evaluations to
optimize investments in assessments and data inputs
• Balance assessment scientists’ portfolio between operational science and research to improve assessments
• Improve fishery-independent data collections
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SEFSC Actions and Timelines
Action Target Date
Help complete the national stock assessment prioritization tool; with Councils’ adopt or adapt
2016
Conduct a Data Methods Workshop to standardize/streamline approaches 2015
Contribute to the Marine Resources Education Program 2015-2016
Simplify harvest control rules to enable simpler (faster) stock assessments 2015-2016
Revisit stock assessment reports and generate a streamlined template 2015
Balance research and operational stock assessment investments Continuous
Continue to invest in improving data used in stock assessments Continuous
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National Actions and TimelineAction Timeline
Test prioritization system and finalize protocol 2015
Make database available to regional coordinating committees charged with setting priorities for regional assessments
2015
Support application of the prioritization process, possibly through decision support system facilitators.
2016
Convene working group to address best practices to improve stock assessment process efficiency, standardizing the process and guidelines for use of benchmark and update assessments
2016
Evaluate efficacy of the NOAA Fisheries Toolbox and develop a plan to update it 2015
Coordinate MSEs to evaluate impact of surveys and sample sizes on stock assessment performance
2015
Allocate staff time for research and fund cross-Center development of MSEs 2015
Develop MSE expertise through hires and training 2016
Reinstate the National Stock Assessment Workshop on a biennial basis 2015
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National Actions and Timeline (continued)
Action Timeline
Annual performance plans for stock assessment scientists include a minimum of 20% time allocated for research to improve assessment methods, establish linkages to ecosystem and environmental factors, and publish results
2016
Create opportunities for assessment staff to pair with staff in other regions when conducting assessments in both regions
2015
Create opportunities for international sabbaticals and collaborations 2015
Provide funds to hire one to two new stock assessment scientists per Center 2015
Develop student pipelines through partnerships with academia 2015
Develop opportunities to recruit quantitative fisheries scientists through existing educational programs and authorities.
2016
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For More Information
• SEFSC Program Review url:http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/program_reviews/2014/default.htm• Links to Panelists’ reports and SEFSC response
• National Overview url:http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/science-program-review/index• Links to national overview and each Fishery Science
Center’s review websites
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