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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