Stock Assessment Peer Review: Findings and Actions Shannon Cass-Calay Caribbean Fishery Management Council April 2015 Southeast Fisheries Science Center

Background NOAA Fisheries developed an annual, standardized peer review process to review major programs: U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 2 FYReview Topic 13Data collection programs supporting stock assessments 14Stock assessment programs 15Protected species programs 16Ecosystem and climate science programs 17Economics and social science programs 18Strategic 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 U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 3

Panelists NameAffiliation Michael HansenUSGS – Great Lakes Science Center (Chair) Ewen BellUK, Center for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Joe HightowerNC State U., Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Bob AtlasNOAA Research, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory Bill KarpNOAA Fisheries, Northeast Fisheries Science Center U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 4

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 U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 5

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 U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 6

SEFSC Actions and Timelines ActionTarget Date Help complete the national stock assessment prioritization tool; with Councils’ adopt or adapt 2016 Conduct a Data Methods Workshop to standardize/streamline approaches2015 Contribute to the Marine Resources Education Program Simplify harvest control rules to enable simpler (faster) stock assessments Revisit stock assessment reports and generate a streamlined template2015 Balance research and operational stock assessment investmentsContinuous Continue to invest in improving data used in stock assessmentsContinuous U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 7

National Actions and Timeline ActionTimeline Test prioritization system and finalize protocol2015 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 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 it2015 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 MSEs2015 Develop MSE expertise through hires and training2016 Reinstate the National Stock Assessment Workshop on a biennial basis2015 U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 8

National Actions and Timeline (continued) ActionTimeline 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 collaborations2015 Provide funds to hire one to two new stock assessment scientists per Center2015 Develop student pipelines through partnerships with academia2015 Develop opportunities to recruit quantitative fisheries scientists through existing educational programs and authorities U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 9

For More Information SEFSC Program Review url: Links to Panelists’ reports and SEFSC response National Overview url: Links to national overview and each Fishery Science Center’s review websites U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service | Page 10