The collapse of cod, flounder, and haddock fish stocks in the Northeast United States has caused widespread concern among managers and fishers in the United States and Canada. The diminishing stocks have forced managers to take strict regulatory measures. Numerous questions have been raised about the adequacy of stock assessment science used to evaluate the status of these stocks and the appropriateness of the management measures taken. Based on these concerns, Congress mandated that a scientific review of the methodology and data used to evaluate these stocks be conducted. In this volume, the committee concludes that although there are improvements to be made in data collection, modeling uncertainty, and communicating between fishers, managers, and scientists, the scientific methods used in the Northeast stock assessments are sound. Recommendations are made on how the stock assessment process can be improved.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
Introduction
General Review of Northeast Groundfish Stock Assessments
Review of Details of Northeast Groundfish Stock Assessments
Science and Management
Conclusions
References
Appendixes
A. Mandate from Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Management Act
B. Committee Biographies
C. Materials Received from National Marine Fisheries Service
D. Presentation to the Committee by NMFS Scientists
E. Glossary
F. Extending Data Series and Alternative Projection Results for Gulf of Maine Cod