development of essential biological data on fish stocks, including fecundity, age structure, and sources of mortality; improved models of sampling design, population dynamics, habitat, and fishery performance; evaluation of geographic and depth variations in stock structure and how these relate to the genetics, physiology and sexual dimorphism of species; improved approaches to fishing to limit discard reduction through gear innovation and modifications in fleet deployment consistent with oceanographic processes; improved assessment model formulations to better integrate available data; and refined approaches to establishing biological reference points.
All data are shared with federal agencies, fisheries management councils, and regional commissions. |
