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Peer Review Plans
Titles are listed with Highly Influential Scientific Assessments first, followed by Influential Scientific Information. Within those groups the order is alphabetical.
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Title and Description:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Guidance on Initial Determinations for Assessing the Potential Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammals
This document provides guidance on initial determinations for assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal species, under the National Oceanic and Atmostpheric Administrations's (NOAA's) jurisdiction. It provides a transparent and over-arching set guidelines for initial assessments on the potential effects of sound on individual marine mammals under our relevant statutes by our applicable office(s) (e.g., National Marine Fisheries Service’s [NMFS] Office of Protected Resources). It is intended to be used by NOAA analysts/managers and other relevant stakeholders, including other federal agencies.
ID: 43 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/31/2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 43
Title and Description:
Upper Klamath and Trinity Rivers Chinook Salmon Status Review
On January 28, 2011, NMFS received a petition to list Upper Klamath and Trinity Rivers Chinook salmon. Based on the information contained in the petition and the criteria specified in 50 CFR 424.14(b)(2), NMFS’ 90 day finding states the petition presents substantial scientific and commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. Accordingly, NMFS is convening a biological review team to assess the status of Upper Klamath and Trinity Rivers Chinook salmon and evaluate the petitioned actions. NMFS will use the results of this status review in making a determination as to whether or not the petitioned actions are warranted. In the 90 day finding Federal Register notice, we are soliciting the names of recognized experts in the field that could take part in the peer review process for this status review. Independent peer reviewers will be selected from the academic and scientific community, tribal and other Native American groups, Federal and state agencies, the private sector, and public interest groups.
D: 187 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/28/2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 187
Title and Description:
2011 Arctic Report Card
Issued annually, the Arctic Report Card is a timely source for clear, reliable and concise environmental information on the state of the Arctic, relative to historical time series records. Material is prepared by an international team of scientists. The audience for the Arctic Report Card is wide, including scientists, students, teachers, decision makers and the general public interested in Arctic environment and science. The web-based format facilitates timely updates of the content. Some of the essays are based upon updates to articles in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society State of the Climate.
ID:181 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/15/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 11/4/2011
Contact Person:Mark Vincent Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this item: ID181
Title and Description:
2012 Arctic Report Card
Issued annually, the Arctic Report Card is a timely source for clear, reliable and concise environmental information on the state of the Arctic, relative to historical time series records. Material is prepared by an international team of scientists. The audience for the Arctic Report Card is wide, including scientists, students, teachers, decision makers and the general public interested in Arctic environment and science. The web-based format facilitates timely updates of the content. Some of the essays are based upon updates to articles in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society State of the Climate.
ID: 194 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/15/2012
Contact Person: Patricia Hathaway Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID194
2011 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks)
The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 22 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP plan teams and the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.
ID:199 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/15/2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID199
Title and Description:
2011 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Stock Assessment
The assessment will report the status of blue crab within Chesapeake Bay, USA. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status (as well as in terms of thresholds and targets), summaries of available data included in the models, as well as impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks. The information is provided to the state fishery management agencies and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to be used as the basis of their management decisions.
The Center for Independent Experts (CIE) will be conducting an international peer review of the assessment in March 2011. The stock assessment review meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts. The CIE process is a key element in the overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.
D:180 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/30/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 8/9/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID180
2011 Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks)
The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 21 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Gulf of Alaska. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Gulf of Alaska. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP plan teams and the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.
D:198 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/15/2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID198
Title and Description:
2012 Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel for Pacific Hake/Whiting in US and Canadian waters
This stock assessment reports the status of the coastal Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) resource off the west coast of the United States and Canada using an age-structured population model. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.
The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and Canada who serve as a peer-review panel for the Pacific hake / whiting stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.
ID: 202 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 3/2//2012
Contact Person: Michale Liddel NOAA Locator
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 202
Advice on setting of an excessive share limit in the Mid-Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog ITQ fishery
The purpose is to formulate advice for the Mid-Atlantic council on excessive shares in the surfclam and ocean quahog ITQ fishery.
ID: 155 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/31/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 10/31/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID155
Title and Description:
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Status Review Report
The subject of this peer review is a status review report for Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) that is being prepared for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) by a team of Federal staff as a result of a petition to list the species. The final report will be made available to the public through a published notice of availability in the Federal Register by May 24, 2011.
D: 166 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 5/24/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 5/24/11
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID166
Title and Description:
Atlantic Sturgeon Proposed Rule Peer Review
The subject of this peer review is the proposed rule listing three Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) Distinct Population Segments in the Northeast that was published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) in the Federal Register on October 6, 2010.
ID: 167 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/6/2011
Actual Dissemination Date:
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID167
Title and Description:
Atlantic Sturgeon Proposed 4(d) Rule Peer Review
The subject of this peer review is the proposed rule specifying the protective regulations for the Gulf of Maine Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) Distinct Population Segment which was proposed for listing as threatened by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) on October 6, 2010.
ID: 163 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/6/2011
Actual Dissemination Date:
Contact Person: Michael Lidde Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID163.
Title and Description:
Bumphead Parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) Status Review
Under leadership of the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, a Status Review of the bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) was conducted by a federal Biological Review Team (BRT) of scientific experts pursuant to a petition for NMFS to list the species as threatened or endangered and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. The draft Report of the review team is the subject of the peer review. The draft report includes a comprehensive presentation and evaluation of information on distribution, biology, abundance trends, threats and risks, information on population structure and genetics, and risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
ID: 158 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/30/2012
Actual Dissemination Date:
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID158
Title and Description:
Condition Report for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) is developing reports on the status and trends of natural and archaeological resources within the marine sanctuaries as part of its System-Wide Monitoring (SWiM) Program. The initial sanctuary condition reports provide a summary of marine sanctuary resources, pressures (e.g. human impacts), the current state of the sanctuary, and responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment. The primary purpose of the documents is to report in a standardized way across all marine sanctuaries on the status and trends of water quality, habitat, living resources and maritime archaeological resources and the human activities that affect them. Resource status is rated on a scale from good to poor, and the timelines used for comparison vary from topic to topic. Trends in the status of resources are also reported, and are generally based on observed changes in status over the past five years, unless otherwise specified. Evaluations of status and trends were made by sanctuary staff, based on interpretation of quantitative and, when necessary, non-quantitative assessments and observations of scientists, managers and users. Therefore, ratings reflect the collective level of concern among participants based on their knowledge and perceptions of local problems. Reports summarizing resource status and trends will be prepared for each marine sanctuary once every five years. This information is intended to help set the stage for management plan reviews.
ID: 106 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 10/21/2011
Contact Person: Kim Jenkins Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 106
Title and Description:
Condition Report for Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) is developing reports on the status and trends of natural and archaeological resources within the marine sanctuaries as part of its System-Wide Monitoring (SWiM) Program. The initial sanctuary condition reports provide a summary of marine sanctuary resources, pressures (e.g. human impacts), the current state of the sanctuary, and responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment. The primary purpose of the documents is to report in a standardized way across all marine sanctuaries on the status and trends of water quality, habitat, living resources and maritime archaeological resources and the human activities that affect them. Resource status is rated on a scale from good to poor, and the timelines used for comparison vary from topic to topic. Trends in the status of resources are also reported, and are generally based on observed changes in status over the past five years, unless otherwise specified. Evaluations of status and trends were made by sanctuary staff, based on interpretation of quantitative and, when necessary, non-quantitative assessments and observations of scientists, managers and users. Therefore, ratings reflect the collective level of concern among participants based on their knowledge and perceptions of local problems. Reports summarizing resource status and trends will be prepared for each marine sanctuary once every five years.
ID: 107 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2012
Contact Person: Kim Jenkins Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 107
Title and Description:
Designation of Critical Habitat for Loggerhead Turtles -- Biological and Economic Reports
The Loggerhead turtle biological report and economic report compile and analyze information on 1) the habitat needs of the loggerhead turtle in U.S. waters, including the physical and biological features of the habitat that are essential to the conservation of the species, and 2) the potential economic effects of designating such critical habitat. Both of these reports are used in the designation of critical habitat for the species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act.
ID:196 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/31//2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID196
Title and Description:
Designation of Critical Habitat for Endangered Leatherback Sea Turtles Biological and Economic Reports
The critical habitat report is in response to a petition received October 2, 2007, from the Center for Biological Diversity, Oceana, and Turtle Island Restoration Network (Petitioners) to revise the leatherback sea turtle critical habitat designation. Current critical habitat consists of terrestrial shoreline at and waters adjacent to Sandy Point Beach, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The Petitioners seek to revise the critical habitat designation to include the area we currently manage to reduce leatherback interactions in the California/Oregon drift gillnet fishery. The Petitioners request that, if we determine some portion of the petitioned area does not meet the criteria for critical habitat, we analyze whether some subset of this area should be designated as critical habitat.
ID: 127 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/20/2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 127
Title and Description:
ESA Status Review of Puget Sound Rockfish
The NWFSC is conducting an ESA status review of five species of Puget Sound rockfish at the request of the NMFS Northwest Region. The species being reviewed are: bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis), canary rockfish (S. pinniger), yelloweye rockfish (S. ruberrimus), greenstripe rockfish (S. elongatus) and redstripe rockfish (S. proriger)..
ID: 117 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/28/2010
Actual dissemiination date: 4/27/2010 (but peer review report not rec'd until 11/2011)
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 117
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Title and Description:
Climate Impacts to the Nearshore Marine Environment and Coastal Communities: American Samoa and Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
This document is the result of a collaborative effort that brought together local scientists to downscale current global climate change information into a regional climate change document for Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This document is referred to as a climate change site scenario, with the goal of identifying potential climate change impacts to relevant habitats and biological communities in American Samoa. The site scenario document will provide a foundation to guide development and prioritization of research and monitoring activities that will ultimately inform future policy actions.
ID: 183 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/19/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 8/19/2011
Contact Person: Kim Jenkins Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 183
Draft Status review of the eastern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Steller sea lion
Status review of the eastern DPS of Steller sea lions. The objective of this status review is to assess if the species’ abundance, survival, and distribution, taken together with the threats (i.e., ESA listing factors), no longer render the species likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The 12 month finding on petitions to delist this population segment from being classified as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act will include a determination about whether delisting this population as a threatened species is warranted or not. The agency is issuing a proposed rule to delist the DPS and is soliciting public comment. Agency final action will be required within one year of publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register.
ID: 201 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/4/2012
Contact Person: Michale Liddel NOAA Locator
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 201
Title and Description:
Great Lakes Areas of Concern
NOAA was asked by US EPA to expand the Mussel Watch pollution monitoring of the Great Lakes to include locations defined as Areas of Concern (AOC). Sampling of these special contaminated sites has been completed. Forthcoming report will be prepared that details how the Areas of Concern compare to the general environmental conditions of the rest of the Great Lakes and with repeat sampling will determine whether mitigation and clean-up efforts are successful.
ID: 178 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/13/2012
Contact Person: Kim Jenkins Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID178
Title and Description:
Integrated Annual Review of the Bay Delta Operations, Criteria and Plan (OCAP) Opinions
The NMFS Central Valley Project/State Water Project (CVP/SWP) Opinion, section 11.2.1.2 (pages 583-584) requires that “Not later than November 30 of every year, in conjunction with the CALFED (group of California State and Federal Agencies) Science Program or other Science Peer Review process, Reclamation and NMFS shall host a workshop to review the prior water years’ operations and to determine whether any measures prescribed in this RPA should be altered in light of information learned from prior years’ operations or research.
D: 164 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/6/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/9/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID164
Title and Description:
Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Forecast
New models to detect and forecast harmful algal blooms (HABs) will be developed. These models will help state and local environmental agencies and water supply companies improve public safety and save money by targeting sampling and treatment options.
ID:176 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: On indefinite hold. Modeling completed, but not forecasts, as satellite not available and may need replacement.
Contact Person: Kim Jenkiins Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID176
Title and Description:
National Coastal Condition Report IV
This report, the National Coastal Condition Report IV (NCCR IV), is the fourth in a series of reports that provide updated regional and national assessments of the status of ecosystem conditions and potential stressor impacts in coastal waters around the U.S. and its territories. It is a collaborative effort led by EPA with input from NOAA, FWS, and various state and tribal partners. With a historic focus on estuaries and near-coastal waters, in addition to offshore fisheries, this will be the first edition to expand its coverage to include condition of coastal-ocean waters based on various indicators of sediment and water quality. NOAA scientists have the lead on developing sections for three coastal-ocean survey regions, using results of recent field surveys conducted in partnership with EPA and coastal states: the western continental shelf (survey conducted June 2003), south Atlantic bight (survey conducted March/April 2004), and mid-Atlantic bight (survey conducted May 2006). This report is written for the informed public, coastal managers, scientists, members of Congress, and other elected officials. It serves as a report card on the status of our Nation’s coastal waters, a benchmark for assessing future change, and a tool for identifying current data gaps, emerging issues for coastal managers, and the potential future direction of coastal monitoring efforts.
ID:177 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date:12/30/2011
Contact Person: Kim Jenkins Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID177
Title and Description:
NMFS Draft Biological Opinion on Re-Licensing of the South Carolina Public Service Authority Hydroelectric Project
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare a biological opinion on Federal actions that are likely to adversely affect a threatened or endangered species or adversely affect their designated critical habitat. A draft biological opinion was prepared on the re-licensing of the South Carolina Public Service Authority Hydroelectric Project located in South Carolina by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. NMFS concludes the action is likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of both survival and recovery of shortnose sturgeon, and thus jeopardize the continued existence of the species because the proposed license terms: 1) continues to prevent safe and effective upstream and downstream fish passage, and thus block fish access to both effective spawning habitat and required foraging habitat; 2) will result in mortality and entrainment of sturgeon in facility structures; and 3) limits instream flows below levels necessary for spawning, migration, and foraging.
D: 151 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date:4/1/2011
Contact Person:Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 151
Title and Description:
Panel for Sablefish and Dover sole
These assessments report the status of the sablefish and dover sole resources off the west coast of the United States using age-structured Stock Synthesis population models. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.
The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and abroad who serve as a peer-review panel for the stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.
ID: 168 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/14/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 9/30/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID168
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Title and Description:Review of Assessment Methods for Data-Limited Species
This review will evaluate methods for assessing data-limited stocks, including methods such as Depletion-Corrected Average Catch (DCAC) and Depletion-Based Stock Reduction Analysis (DB-SRA) as well as several other reasonable alternative methods. The DCAC and DB-SRA have been used to inform the biennial management specifications for Pacific coast groundfish.
ID: 192 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/21/2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID192
Title and Description:
Review of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center’s (NWFSC) Southern California Shelf Rockfish Hook and Line Survey
The NWFSC Southern California Shelf Rockfish Hook and Line Survey was designed to collect fishery-independent data for use in the stock assessments of groundfish associated with rocky habitats that are not well-sampled using trawl surveys. Survey data are analyzed to generate annual indices of relative abundance and time series of biological data for several species of shelf rockfish (Genus: Sebastes) including bocaccio (S. paucispinis) – a species declared overfished by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and NOAA Fisheries and designated as a species of concern by NOAA Fisheries.
A review of the NWFSC Southern California Shelf Rockfish Hook and Line Survey will be conducted to: 1) evaluate the hook and line survey’s rationale, design, and sampling protocols; 2) examine the methods used to generate abundance indices; and, 3) provide suggestions regarding potential expansion of the survey’s geographical range and species for which abundance indices are generated - particularly for data-poor and data-limited species.
ID: 193 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/1/2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID193
Title and Description:
Review of North Pacific Striped Marlin Stock Assessment
The status of striped marlin in the North Pacific.was assessed in 2007 by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC). A new assessment is scheduled to be completed in July 2011 and reviewed through the Center for Independent Experts (CIE) shortly thereafter. The assessment will be produced by the Billfish Working Group of the ISC with leadership by NOAA scientists. The stock assessment report will provide the best available scientific knowledge on the status of striped marlin in the North Pacific to inform management decisions of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, the U.S. Department of Commerce (NOAA Fisheries Service), and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.
ID: 160 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/15/2013
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID160
Title and Description:
Review panel for Methods to Assess Species with Limited Data (Data-Poor Methods)
This workshop will evaluate methods for assessing data-limited stocks, including methods such as Depletion-Corrected Average Catch (DCAC) and Depletion-Based Stock Reduction Analysis (DB-SRA) as well as several other reasonable alternative methods. The DCAC and DB-SRA have been used to inform the biennial management specifications for Pacific coast groundfish.
ID: 171 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/6/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 6/6/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID171
Title and Description:
Revision of Critical Habitat for Hawaiian Monk Seals under the Endangered Species Act
he analysis of critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal consists of a biological report describing the habitat needs of the seals. This report will contain biological assessments of the Hawaiian monk seal natural history and habitat use to support a proposed critical habitat designation for this species. The economic analysis consists of a report describing the potential economic benefits and impacts of designating critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal. This report describes the types and possible impacts stemming from obligations established under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the critical habitat designation of Hawaiian monk seals.
D: 174 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/2/2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID174
Title and Description:
Rulemaking to designate critical habitat for the endangered black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii).
The critical habitat designation for the endangered black abalone is based upon information contained in a Critical Habitat Review Team (CHRT) Biological Report, an Economic Analysis Report (including the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis or IRFA), and an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 4(b)(2) report. The information contained in these reports was used to analyze the areas considered for designation as critical habitat under the ESA.
ID: 165 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/18/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 7/18/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID165
Sea Level Change Scenarios for the US National Climate Assessment (NCA)
Scenarios are used within the National Climate Assessment (NCA) framework not to predict future changes, but to portray uncertainties related to global change that can be used to develop a range of robust adaptation options. Scenarios are developed based on the best available science and in direct response to end-user needs. For the 2013 Assessment, scenarios associated with sea level change have been added for the first time. These scenarios were developed by NCA Sea level Change Scenario (SLCS) team, which is a subset of the Scenarios Working Group (SWG). The NCA SLCS consists of a set of four global scenarios and a description of regional and local factors that Assessment teams may want to consider in adjusting the global scenarios to regional and local estimates for sea level change.
D: 204 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 4/27/2012
Actual Dissemination Date:
Contact Person: Patricia Hathaway Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID204
Title and Description:
SEDAR 21 HMS Sharks sandbar, dusky & blacknose
This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (highly migratory sharks sandbar, dusky & blacknose) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management council (South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean) to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.
ID: 145 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 5/20/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 4/21/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: 152
Title and Description:
SEDAR 22, Gulf of Mexico Yellowedge Grouper and Tilefish
This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Gulf of Mexico Yellowedge Grouper and Tilefish) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management council (South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean) to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.
ID: 175 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/18/2011
Actual Dissemination Date for tilefish: 7/21/2011
Actual Dissemination Date foryellowedge grouper report: 8/26/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID175
Title and Description:
SEDAR 25 South Atlantic black sea bass and golden tilefish
The proposed rule to list two distinct population segments (DPS) of Atlantic sturgeon in the Southeast was published by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service in the Federal Register on October 6, 2010. The proposed rule describes the Carolina and South Atlantic DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon and assesses the status of each DPS. The proposed rule evaluates the threats facing each DPS that may be contributing to its status, as well as any conservation efforts that may be mitigating the effects of those threats. The Carolina and South Atlantic DPSs are both proposed to be listed as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act.
ID: 186 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/31/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 11/21/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID186
Title and Description:
SEDAR 26 Caribbean sik snapper, queen snapper and redtail parrotfish
This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Caribbean silk snapper, queen snapper, and redtail parrotfish) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management council (South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean) to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.
ID: 191 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/18/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 12/15/11
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID191
Title and Description:
SEDAR 27 Gulf of Mexico Menhaden
This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Gulf of Mexico Menhaden) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management council (South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean) to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.
ID: 203 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated and Actual Dissemination Date: 11/28/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID203
Title and Description:
SEDAR 28 Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Cobia and Spanish Mackerel
This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic cobia and Spanish Mackerel) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management agencies to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.
ID: 195 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/7//2012
Contact Person: Michael Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID195
Title and Description:
State of the Climate in 2010
ID: 129 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/4/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 6/28/2011
Contact Person: Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 129
Title and Description:
State of the Climate in 2011
The State of the Climate Report is a recurring, annual 200+ page summary of weather and climate conditions of the past year. Working with contributing authors from about 50 countries around the world, this report places today’s climate in historical context and provides perspectives on the extent to which the climate system varies and changes as well as the effect that climate is having on societies and the environment.
ID: 200 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/5/2012
Contact Person: Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID200
Title and Description:
Status Review for Five Species of Sawfish
The status review document for the five species of sawfish will consist of a report explaining the best available information on the biology and status of the species throughout their range. The information in the review will be used to make a 12-month finding determination for listing or not listing the species under the Endangered Species Act.
D:197 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/20/2013
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get Contact Information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID197
Title and Description:
:Status Review Report of 82 Species of Corals under the US Endangered Species Act
Under leadership of the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, a Status Review of 82 species of coral was conducted by a team of federal scientists pursuant to a petition for NMFS to list 83 coral species and designate critical habitat for them under the Endangered Species Act. Of the petitioned species, 8 occur in the Atlantic and 75 in the Pacific. NMFS has found that the petitioned action may be warranted for 82 of the 83 species; the status review is for these 82 species. The draft Report of the status review team is the subject of the peer review. For each coral species, the report presents and evaluates information on the species’ distribution, biology, abundance trends, natural and anthropogenic threats, and risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
ID: 156 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/30/2012
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID156
Title and Description:
Status Review of the Bearded, Ringed, and Spotted Seals
ID: 130 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 5/28/2010 and 5/1/2011 Actual: 12/31/2010 and 6/1/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 130
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Title and Description:
Status Review of Southeast Alaska Pacific Herring
Title was previously: Status Review of Lynn Canal Pacific Herring
The Region is conducting a status review of Southeast Alaska herring population as a follow up to a petition to list the population as a threatened or endangered Distinct Population Segment under the ESA. The product that is subject to peer review is the Status Review Report, upon which our listing decision for the Southeast Alaska population will be based.
D: 119 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/31/2011 Actual Dissemination Date for Lynn Canal Herring only: 3/8/2008
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 119
Title and Description:
Status Review Report for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The review responds to the recommendation in the 2007 Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/species/loggerhead_5yearreview.pdf) to fully assemble and analyze all relevant information in accordance with the distinct population segment policy (DPS). We stated new information indicated a possible separation of populations by ocean basins; however, a more in-depth analysis was needed to determine the application of the DPS policy. The review also responds to two petitions. On July 16, 2007, NMFS and FWS received a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and Turtle Island Restoration Network, requesting that the loggerhead in the North Pacific be reclassified as a DPS with endangered status and that critical habitat be designated. On November 16, 2007, NMFS and FWS received a petition from CBD and Oceana requesting that loggerhead turtles in the western North Atlantic Ocean be reclassified as a DPS with endangered status and that critical habitat be designated.
NMFS and FWS determined that the July 16, 2007, North Pacific petition and the November 16, 2007, North Atlantic petition presented substantial information that the petitioned actions may be warranted and published the findings in the Federal Register (72 FR 64585, November 16, 2007; 73 FR 11849, March 5, 2008).
ID: 126 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/16/2009
Actual Dissemination Date: 6/2009 (but not rec'd until 11/2011)
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 126
Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, silver hake, red hake, offshore hake and Loligo squid
Products from this meeting will be stock assessments of silver hake, red hake, offshore hake and Loligo squid. The Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts who serve as a peer-review panel for several tabled stock assessments. These assessments evaluate the status of important fishery stocks, taking into account natural variations in population growth as well as the intensity and history of commercial harvesting. The SARC is an important part of the Northeast Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) process, which includes peer assessment development (SAW Working Groups or Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) technical committees), assessment peer review, public presentations, and document publication. This process has been in place since 1985, and has been successful in providing a forum for preparing, peer reviewing and reporting on stock assessments in the northeast region. Over 40 fishery stocks are managed in this region. The Northeast SAW is the oldest such assessment peer review process in the United States and has been used as a model in developing similar protocols around the US and in Europe.As currently constituted, the Stock Assessment Workshop has three parts: 1) SAW working group meetings where the assessments are developed (or ASMFS technical/stock assessment groups when stock assessments are prepared by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission); 2) a high-quality peer review of the SAW Working/Technical group assessments by an independent panel of assessment/management experts, known as the Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC); and 3) presentation of results/reports from the SARC meeting to the Fishery Management Councils and ASMFC. The entire SAW process occurs twice per year.
The Plan Development Teams (PDTs), Science and Statistics Committees (SSCs) and Technical Committees of the Fishery Management Councils use the Stock Assessment Reports and the peer reviewers' reports (from the SARC), to develop management advice for the Fishery Management Councils that is consistent with existing fishery management plans.
ID: 161 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/1//2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 8/2/2/2011 (final version)
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID161
Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, Gulf of Maine winter flounder, Georges Bank winter flounder, and Southern New England winter flounder
Description of information (subject and purpose): Products from this meeting will be stock assessments of Gulf of Maine winter flounder, Georges Bank winter flounder, and Southern New England winter flounder. The Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts who serve as a peer-review panel for several tabled stock assessments. These assessments evaluate the status of important fishery stocks, taking into account natural variations in population growth as well as the intensity and history of commercial harvesting. The SARC is an important part of the Northeast Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) process, which includes peer assessment development (SAW Working Groups or Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) technical committees), assessment peer review, public presentations, and document publication. This process has been in place since 1985, and has been successful in providing a forum for preparing, peer reviewing and reporting on stock assessments in the northeast region. Over 40 fishery stocks are managed in this region. The Northeast SAW is the oldest such assessment peer review process in the United States and has been used as a model in developing similar protocols around the US and in Europe. As currently constituted, the Stock Assessment Workshop has three parts: 1) SAW working group meetings where the assessments are developed (or ASMFS technical/stock assessment groups when stock assessments are prepared by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission); 2) a high-quality peer review of the SAW Working/Technical group assessments by an independent panel of assessment/management experts, known as the Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC); and 3) presentation of results/reports from the SARC meeting to the Fishery Management Councils and ASMFC. The entire SAW process occurs twice per year.
The Plan Development Teams (PDTs), Science and Statistics Committees (SSCs) and Technical Committees of the Fishery Management Councils use the Stock Assessment Reports and the peer reviewers' reports (from the SARC), to develop management advice for the Fishery Management Councils that is consistent with existing fishery management plans.
ID: 162 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/202011
Actual Dissemination Date: 9/15/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID162
Title and Description:
Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel for Greenspotted rockfish and Blackgill rockfish
These assessments report the status of the greenspotted rockfish and blackgill rockfish resources off the west coast of the United States using age-structured Stock Synthesis population models. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.
The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and abroad who serve as a peer-review panel for the stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.
ID:172 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/14//2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 9/30/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID172
Title and Description:
Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel for Pacific ocean perch and Petrale sole
This assessment reports the status of the Pacific ocean perch and Petrale sole resources off the west coast of the United States using age-structured Stock Synthesis population models. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.
The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and abroad who serve as a peer-review panel for the stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.
ID:173 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/14//2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 9/30/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID173
Title and Description:
Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel for Widow rockfish and Spiny Dogfish
These assessments report the status of the widow rockfish and spiny dogfish resources off the west coast of the United States using age-structured Stock Synthesis population models. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.
The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and abroad who serve as a peer-review panel for the stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.
D: 169 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date :9/14/2011
Actual Dissemination Date: 9/20/2011
Contact Person: Michael Liddel Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID169