Peer Review Plans for NOAA Influential Scientific Information

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:
CCSP Product 1.1 Temperature trends in the lower atmosphere - steps for understanding and reconciling differences

ID: 22 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/31/2006
Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 22

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 1.3 Re-analysis of historical climate data for key atmospheric features. Implications for attribution of causes of observed change

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. This report, produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coordination with the National Aeronautics and Science Administration (NASA) and other agencies, will summarize the present status of national and international climate reanalysis efforts and discuss key research findings on the strengths and limitations of the current reanalysis products for describing and analyzing the causes of climate variations and trends that have occurred during the time period of the reanalysis records (approximately the last 50 years). This information is important for policymakers in identifying and understanding the causes of remaining uncertainties and for climate program managers to develop priorities for future observing, modeling, and analysis systems required to advance national and international efforts to describe and attribute causes of observed climate variability and change.

ID: 18 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2008
Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 18

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 2.2 North American carbon budget and implications for the global carbon cycle

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. This report is being produced under the auspices of an interagency working group with lead agencies the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in coordination with other agencies. NOAA has the lead for IQA and FACA issues. This report will provide a synthesis and integration of the current knowledge of the North American (including land, atmosphere, and adjacent oceans) carbon budget and its context within the global carbon cycle. In a format useful to decisionmakers, it will (1) summarize our knowledge of carbon cycle properties and changes relevant to the contributions of and impacts upon the United States and the rest of the world, and (2) provide scientific information for U.S. decision support focused on key issues for carbon management and policy.

ID: 20 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/31/2007
Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 20

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 2.4 Trends in emissions of ozone-depleting substances, ozone-layer recovery, and implications for ultraviolet radiation exposure

ID: 17 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2008
Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 17

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 3.2 Climate projections for research and assessment based on emissions scenarios developed through the Climate Change Technology Program.

ID: 21 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/31/2007
Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 21

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 3.3 Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate

ID: 23 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/28/2008
Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 23

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 5.2 Best Practice Approaches for Characterizing, Communicating and Incorporating Scientific Uncertainty in Climate Decision Making

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. This report, produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coordination with other agencies, will focus on best practices for characterizing, communicating and incorporating scientific uncertainty to policy makers. One purpose of the report is to synthesize and communicate the current state of understanding about the characteristics and implications of uncertainty related to climate change and variability to an audience of policymakers with an interest in developing a fundamental understanding of the issue. Such an understanding could contribute sound scientific underpinnings to an informed discourse about the nature and implications of climate change and variability. The purpose of the report is to provide recommendations for best practices for characterizing and analyzing uncertainty and communicating it to scientists, science managers, and technical operational entities involved in conducting and producing climate information in the context of decision support, based on a thorough, state-of-the-art assessment of the current state of understanding.
ID: 51 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/15/2007
Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 51

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 5.3 Decision support experiments and evaluations using seasonal to interannual forecasts and observational data.

ID: 26 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/30/2007
Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 26

Title and Description:
United States Climate Change Science Program Scientific Assessment

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing a scientific assessment that will analyze past and current trends in global climate change, both human-induced and natural, and describe projections of future climate change.

ID: 102 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 5/31/2008
Contact Person: Chad McNutt Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 102

Title and Description:
Proposed Noise Exposure Criteria for Marine Mammals

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be proposing new acoustic criteria to replace current criteria to determine what constitutes an acoustic ‘take’ as defined under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. These criteria will identify exposure levels and durations that may produce temporary or permanent shifts in hearing sensitivity of marine mammals, as well as significant behavioral modification.

ID: 43 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date:12/31/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 43

Title and Description:
2006 Observations of Deep Coral and Sponge Assemblages in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Washington

From May 23 to June 4, 2006, NOAA scientists led a research cruise using the ROPOS Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to conduct a series of dives at targeted sites in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) with the goal of documenting deep coral and sponge communities. Dive sites were selected from areas for which OCNMS had side scan sonar data indicating hard bottom. The team completed 11 dives in sanctuary waters ranging from six to 52 hours in length, at depths ranging from 100 to 650 meters, completing transect surveys at 15 study locations and observations at an additional five locations. The survey locations included sites both inside and outside the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Conservation Area established by the Pacific Fishery Management Council that went into effect on June 12, 2006. The Conservation Area in OCNMS covers 159.4 square nautical miles, or about 15 percent of the sanctuary, closing the area to bottom trawling. Several species of live corals and sponges were documented both inside and outside the Conservation Area, including numerous gorgonians and the stony corals Lophelia pertusa and Desmophyllum dianthus, as well as small patches of the reef building sponge Farrea occa. The team also documented Lophelia and Desmophyllum coral rubble, dead gorgonians, lost fishing gear, and human-caused debris, raising concerns about coral health and protection.

ID: 77 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 05/15/2007
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 77

Title and Description:
2008 Groundfish Assessment Review (GARM III)

Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan required benchmark assessments and assessment updates to be conducted during calendar year 2008 for all species included in the plan. The results are to be available for fishery managers to use in making any needed adjustments to the fishery management plan for fishing year 2009, in order to ensure sufficient progress toward rebuilding depleted stocks. This meeting will provide peer review of the benchmark assessments and assessment updates.

ID: 100 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/19/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 100

Title and Description:
Amendments to the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, and sharks and the Atlantic Billfish Fishery Management Plan

The information would be used to amend the fishery management plan for Atlantic highly migratory species. The draft fishery management plan contained a wide range of issues including bycatch reduction, addressing overfishing and overfish stocks, and management structure. The draft fishery management plan contained a lot of information, much of which was not considered ISI. The specific information considered ISI included the time/area closure analyses, the standardized bycatch reporting methodology, and the essential fish habitat review.

ID: 73 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/29/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 73

Title and Description:
An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Ballast Water Exchange (BWE) in Controlling Aquatic Nonindigenous Species (ANS) in the Great Lakes Basin and Chesapeake Bay.

In the 2005 Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations (CJS) bill, Congress directed that NOAA "shall submit a report to the Committee detailing the effectiveness of ballast water exchange programs in controlling invasive species in the Great Lakes basin and the Chesapeake Bay." This report is being produced by the NOAA National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species, located at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, with support from subject matter experts from government and academia. This report will critically review what is now known about: (1) vessel traffic to the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay, focusing especially on changes that affect the supply of ballast-related propagules over time, (2) the effect of ballast water exchange on reducing the transfer of coastal organisms in ballast tanks; and (3) the effect of exchange on reducing new invasions in coastal ecosystems, with an emphasis on the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay.

ID: 25 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/3/2007
Contact Person: Amy Wagner Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 25

Title and Description:
Assessment of Leatherback Sea Turtle Population in the Atlantic

An international working group of experts in sea turtle biology, ecology, life history and population dynamics (the Turtle Experts Working Group or TEWG) has been convened to provide a stock assessment and short term projections on the status and condition of leatherback sea turtles in the Atlantic Ocean. The TEWG will provide a report that includes estimates of total numbers of turtles by stock in the Atlantic Ocean and short term projections that evaluate trends relative to current recovery criteria in the United States and internationally. This information will be published as a NOAA Technical Memorandum or Report and will provide the scientific basis for management of sea turtles in U.S. and international waters.

ID: 40 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/15/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 40

Title and Description:
Assessment of Loggerhead Sea Turtle Population in the North Atlantic

A working group of experts in sea turtle biology, ecology, life history and population dynamics (the Turtle Experts Working Group or TEWG) has been convened to provide a stock assessment and short term projections on the status and condition of loggerhead sea turtles in the North Atlantic Ocean. The TEWG will provide an assessment of the status of the nesting assemblages and at-sea populations in the western North Atlantic. In addition, the TEWG will explore hypotheses on possible causes of the recent decline in the number of nests in Florida. This information will be published as a NOAA Technical Memorandum or Report and will provide the scientific basis for management of sea turtles in U.S. and international waters.

ID: 80 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/31/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 80

Title and Description:
Atlantic White Marlin Status Review

The subject of the peer review is a status review report conducted for the Atlantic white marlin in response to a settlement agreement that NMFS would revisit the status of the white marlin following a 2006 stock assessment. The settlement agreement was in response to a complaint by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Turtle Island Restoration Network following the NMFS 2002 decision that white marlin did not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act. A team of federal biologists prepared the status review report. The report will be made available to the public through a published notice of availability in the Federal Register.

ID: 103 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/4/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 103

Title and Description:
Benchmark Stock Assessment for Caribbean Yellowfin Grouper, Mutton Snapper, and Queen Conch

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Caribbean yellowfin grouper, mutton snapper, and queen conch) relative to current definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes 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 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: 78 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date:10/15/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 78

Title and Description:
Benchmark Stock Assessment for Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Gag Grouper

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic gag grouper) relative to current definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes 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 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: 39 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/15/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 39

Title and Description:
Benchmark Stock Assessment for South Atlantic Greater Amberjack, Red Snapper, and South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Mutton Snapper

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (South Atlantic greater amberjack, South Atlantic red snapper, South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico mutton snapper) relative to current definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes 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 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: 79 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/15/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 79

Title and Description:
Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports (multiple stocks) - 2006

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 region. 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 region. 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.

ID: 32 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/10/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 32

Title and Description:
Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports (multiple stocks) - 2007

ID: 84 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/10/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 84

Title and Description:
Comprehensive Passage (Compass) Model

The information product is a numerical model that estimates juvenile salmon migration timing, passage routes, and survival through the Columbia River Federal Hydropower System (FCRPS) under alternative configurations and operational scenarios and includes the latent effects of passage.

ID: 4 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 5/1/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 4

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Channel Islands 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: 89 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 89

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 52 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/29/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 52

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 53 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/29/2006
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 53

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 106 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 106

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Flower Garden Banks National Marines 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: 54 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/15/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 54

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 91 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/31/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 91

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 90 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/16/2007
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 90

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 108 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 108

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 87 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/16/2007
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 87

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 88 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/28/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 88

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 105 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 105

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument

ID: 92 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/28/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 92

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Stellwagen Bank 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 marine sanctuary once every five years. This information is intended to help set the stage for management plan reviews.

ID: 55 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/29/2006
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 55

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 107 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 107

Title and Description:
Critical Habitat Designation for Elkhorn and Staghorn corals under the Endangered Species Act

The analysis of critical habitat for elkhorn and staghorn corals will consist of a report describing the habitat needs of the two corals. This report will contain biological assessments of elkhorn and staghorn corals’ natural histories and habitat uses to support a proposed critical habitat designation for these two corals. The economic analysis will consists of a report describing the potential economic benefits and impacts of designating critical habitat for elkhorn and staghorn corals. The report will describe the types and possible extent of impacts stemming from restrictions on economic activities from enforcement of section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the critical habitat designation of elkhorn and staghorn corals.

ID: 68 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/31/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 68

Title and Description:
Critical Habitat Designation for the U.S. Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Smalltooth Sawfish under the Endangered Species Act

The analysis of critical habitat for the U.S. DPS of smalltooth sawfish will consist of a report describing the habitat needs of the species. This report will contain a biological assessment of smalltooth sawfish natural history and habitat use to support a proposed critical habitat designation for the species. The economic analysis will consists of a report describing the potential economic benefits and impacts of designating critical habitat for the species. The report will describe the types and possible extent of impacts stemming from restrictions on economic activities from enforcement of section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the critical habitat designation of smalltooth sawfish.

ID: 101 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/29/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 101

Title and Description:
Draft Section 7 Consultation, Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement for the following activities: State of Alaska parallel groundfish fisheries for pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel; Authorization of groundfish fisheries under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Authorization of groundfish fisheries under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

The planned dissemination of influential scientific information (ISI) is a biological analysis of the potential effects of a federally authorized activity (subject fisheries) on species (listed as endangered or threatened) and their Critical Habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA; a draft "Section 7 Consultation"). The scientific information and analysis used in this consultation may lead to proposed mitigation measures, reasonable and prudent alternatives, and other guidance which may result ultimately in "a clear and substantial impact on important public policies or private sector decisions" (the standard for determining ISI). The Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) was listed as a threatened species under the ESA on April 5, 1990 due to substantial declines in the western portion of the range. In 1997, the Steller sea lion population was split into a western distinct population segment (DPS) and an eastern DPS based on demographic and genetic dissimilarities. Due to the persistent decline, the western DPS was reclassified as endangered, while the increasing eastern DPS remained classified as threatened.

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act directs all Federal agencies to use their existing authorities to conserve threatened and endangered species and, in consultation, to ensure their actions do not jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. Section 7 applies to federal actions to regulate the various fisheries within Steller sea lion (and other listed species) habitat in the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and surrounding the Aleutian Islands (BS/GOA/AI region). A number of Section 7 consultations, both formal and informal, have been conducted on these species and fisheries, most recently an Opinion issued in 2001 and subsequently updated and supplemented in 2003. Recently (October 18, 2005) the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (Council) requested that NMFS reinitiate consultation on the 2000 Biological Opinion; the request was based on acknowledgement that a substantial amount of research has been published since 2000 on Steller sea lions and that that a new evaluation of that information would be prudent. The purpose of this proposed dissemination of ISI is to solicit a peer review on a new draft biological opinion addressing listed species which may be affected by federally authorized fisheries in the BS/GOA/AI region.

ID: 60 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/1/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 60

Title and Description:
Final Rule to Implement Speed Restrictions to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with North Atlantic Right Whales

NMFS proposes to establish regulations to implement speed restrictions of no more than 10 knots applying to all vessels 65 ft (19.8 m) or greater in overall length in certain locations and at certain times of the year along the east coast of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. The purpose of the regulations is to reduce the likelihood of deaths and serious injuries to endangered North Atlantic right whales that result from collisions with ships.

ID: 44 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/31/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 44

Title and Description:
Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: Fishery characteristics and biological reference points for management

The information is a scientific paper on a method for the assessment of the Gulf menhaden stock, which will be published in the Fisheries Research Journal. Gulf menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, plays a key ecological role in the northern Gulf of Mexico and supports the second largest commercial fishery by weight in the United States. Here we describe that fishery and propose biological reference points (BRP) for its management. The BRPs represent targets and limits of both fishing mortality rate and population fecundity, where "target" is defined as the management goal, and "limit", a value to be avoided. We have assessed stock status relative to the BRPs by fitting a statistical catch-age model to fishery-dependent and fishery- independent data spanning 1964-2004. Results indicate that in the terminal year neither limit reference point is exceeded. Of possible concern, however, is a recent increase in fishing mortality and decrease in population fecundity. With these trends, terminal values exceed their targets, although by little relative to the uncertainty in the estimates. Sensitivity analyses show these results are robust to model assumptions. For formulas for the preceding, see ID74Description.doc.

ID: 74 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/15/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 74

Title and Description:
Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports (multiple stocks) - 2006

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.

ID: 31 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/10/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 31

Title and Description:
Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports (multiple stocks) - 2007

ID: 85 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/10/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 85

Title and Description:
Impact of Ozone in Eradicating Invasive Species

Upon completion of field tests of a technology which treats ballast water on a ship with ozone to kill or inactivate any invasive species that may be present in the water, a report will be written on the effectiveness of ozone in eradicating invasive species in ballast water.

Tests are not yet complete, so preparation of the report has not started yet. Estimated start date for preparing the report is 1 April 2008. Estimated start date of peer review is 1 October 2008.

ID: 75 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/1/2009 Contact Person: Krisa Arzayus Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 75

Title and Description:
NMFS draft Biological Opinion Central Valley Water Operations (OCAP)

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 new biological opinion is being prepared on Federal and state water operations that deliver water to over 20 million people in southern California and irrigate millions of acres of highly productive agricultural land throughout California’s Central Valley. These actions and related water pumping harm Chinook salmon, steelhead, and green sturgeon which are listed as threatened or endangered. Because of competing demands for a limited water supply and procedural complexities that surround implementing the ESA, NMFS’s 2004 biological opinion (on this same action) was, and continues to be, controversial. Issues involving water supply and reliability, and how to address those in light of imperiled species have only grown since 2004 as new information emerges on climate and ecological changes in the project area. The new biological opinion will likely remain a topic of national interest and the need for highly qualified peer reviewers will be critical to address the anticipated scientific scrutiny this action will receive.

ID: 96 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/1/2009
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 96

Title and Description:
NMFS draft Biological Opinion on the Klamath River Water Operations

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare a biological opinion on any Federal action that is likely to adversely affect a threatened or endangered species or adversely affect their designated critical habitat. A new biological opinion is being prepared on a Federally approved project that delivers irrigation water to agricultural uses in the Klamath River Basin. The Federal project is “likely to adversely affect” southern Oregon/northern California coho salmon, listed as threatened under the ESA.

Competing uses for Klamath River water have not yet achieved a durable balance among power generation, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and long-term conservation of imperiled species. In July 2007, the US House Subcommittee on Natural Resources held a hearing in Washington, DC on the Klamath River basin, investigating allegations about whether the Administration acting through NMFS and US Fish and Wildlife Service used sound science in their 2002 biological opinions. The NMFS new, 2008 biological opinion would likely revisit ongoing debates over water allocation and timing for fish and agriculture uses.

High levels of scrutiny are expected to continue and NMFS’s new draft biological opinion will be critically reviewed by a multitude of interested parties who have a direct stake in the future of Klamath River water and fish. The new biological opinion will likely remain a topic of national interest and the need for highly qualified peer reviewers will be critical to address the anticipated scientific scrutiny this action will receive.

ID: 97 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/1/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 97

Title and Description:
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) Lobster Stock Assessment Model Development

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) is advancing current assessment methodologies for Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) lobster populations by developing new spatially-structured stock assessment models. The development of spatially structured models for NWHI lobsters was recommended by an expert workshop in 2002 that reviewed current assessment techniques, available data, and management needs. The report to be produced and disseminated by the PIFSC, prepared in collaboration with academic scientists, will describe the structure and performance of a new spatially structured assessment model for NHWI lobsters and apply it to assess the current status of lobster populations in the NWHI. The new model incorporating metapopulation dynamics was initially developed in 2004 and further extended in 2006. A report of the extended model is being drafted and will be submitted for peer-review in March 2008. The expected date for dissemination of the final report including responses to reviewer comments is October 2008. The purpose of the modeling research is to improve tools for assessing NWHI lobster as a component of the NWHI ecosystem and advance long-term ecosystem monitoring. The model will help inform and guide decision-making by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, NMFS, and other partners responsible for conservation and management of lobster resources and insular ecosystems across the Pacific Islands Region.

ID: 7 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date:10/30/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 7

Title and Description:
Pacific coast black rockfish and blue rockfish stock assessments

The assessments will report the status of black rockfish along the west coast and blue rockfish off the California coast. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, 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 who serve as a peer-review panel for one or more 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: 69 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/10/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 69

Title and Description:
Pacific coast bocaccio and chilipepper rockfish stock assessments

The assessments will report the status of bocaccio and chilipepper rockfish. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, 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.

ID: 70 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/14/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 70

Title and Description:
Pacific coast canary rockfish and arrowtooth flounder stock assessments

The assessments will report the status of canary rockfish and arrowtooth flounder. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, 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.

ID: 65 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/14/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 65

Title and Description:
Pacific coast darkblotched rockfish and cowcod stock assessments

The assessments will report the status of darkblotched rockfish. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, 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.

ID: 66 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/14/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 66

Title and Description:
Pacific coast Sablefish and Longnose skate stock assessments

The assessments will report the status of the longnose skate and sablefish resources off the west coast of the United States using age- structured Stock Synthesis 2 population models. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, 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.

ID: 67 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/10/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 67

Title and Description:
Proposed Critical Habitat Designation for the Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the North American Green Sturgeon

The draft critical habitat designation for the Southern DPS of green sturgeon is based upon a Critical Habitat Analytical Review Team (CHART) Report, an ESA 4(b)2 Report, a draft Economic Impact Report, and a draft Regulatory Flexibility Report. These reports provide the basis for determining what areas should be considered for critical habitat designation under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

ID: 109 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/2/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 109

Title and Description:
Required Survival Rate Changes to Meet Technical Recovery Team Abundance and Productivity Viability Criteria for Interior Columbia ESA-Listed Pacific Salmon Populations

The report will consist of a technical report describing, for many populations in the Interior Columbia River Basin, the difference ("gap") between the population’s current survival rates and the survival rate needed to achieve a biological status consistent with Endangered Species Act (ESA) delisting goals. The report will play a role in recovery planning for ESA-listed Pacific salmon populations and ongoing discussions and planning for the operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS). Although many factors and analyses are expected to influence development of ESA recovery plans for Pacific salmon and planning for operation of the FCRPS, this report will quantify the survival "gap" that would need to be filled in order to meet the Technical Recovery Team's recommended viability criteria for ESA-listed salmon stocks in the interior Columbia River Basin.

ID: 58 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/1/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 58

Title and Description:
SEDAR 16, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico King Mackerel

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico king 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 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: 93 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/19/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 93

Title and Description:
SEDAR 17, South Atlantic Vermillion Snapper and Spanish Mackerel

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (South Atlantic vermilion snapper 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 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’s National Marine Fisheries Service.

ID: 94 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/1/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 94

Title and Description:
SEDAR Supplement 01, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Grouper Assessment Review

This information product is an evaluation of recent SEDAR assessments of grouper stocks in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico intended to address concerns regarding consistency in analytical techniques and data sources for assessments conducted through separate SEDAR projects. Stocks addressed are South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico gag, assessed during SEDAR 10, and Gulf of Mexico red grouper assessed during SEDAR 12. The results and findings will serve as supplemental information to the original SEDAR 10 and 12 assessment reports. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management councils (South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean) to be used as the basis of their management decision, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.

ID: 83 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/15/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 83

Title and Description:
Shortbelly Rockfish Stock Assessment

The shortbelly rockfish, Sebastes jordani, is one of the most abundant rockfish species in the California Current, and is a key forage species for many piscivorous fish, birds, and marine mammals. This species has not been the target of commercial fisheries, and consequently catch data are limited. Nevertheless, available evidence suggests that the population has undergone significant fluctuations in abundance over the last several decades, presumably in response to variations in environmental conditions. We present a population model, using standard stock assessment methods and a variety of survey and food habits data to investigate population changes for this ecologically important species. Results suggest that the biomass of this population has varied substantially over the last fifty years, and is now at less than half of the historical abundance. As this stock can be considered the equivalent of a "control" rockfish population, devoid of the impacts of fishing, the results can provide insight into the potential causes and consequences of natural population variability on both exploited and non-exploited rockfish populations throughout the California Current.

ID: 62 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/31/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 62

Title and Description:
State of the Climate in 2007

The State of the Climate Report is a 130+ page summary of weather and climate conditions of the past year. Working with contributing authors from more than 30 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: 86 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2008
Contact Person: Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 86

Title and Description:
State of Deep Coral Communities of the United States

"The State of Deep Coral Communities of the United States" represents an initial effort to collect, synthesize and communicate the current state of knowledge of deep coral reef ecosystems in U.S. waters. Each regional chapter provides information on geological and oceanographic settings where deep corals are found, inventory of known, structure-forming, deep corals, spatial distribution of deep coral habitats, associated ecological communities, regional threats assessment, conservation and management measures currently in place, informational gaps, and regional priorities for further work. The purpose of the national report is to create a better understanding of the state of knowledge, including gaps, to enable the implementation of a strategic plan to protect these sensitive habitats.

ID: 63 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/1/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 63

Title and Description:
Status Review for Atlantic Salmon

The subject of the peer review is a status review report conducted under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for other populations of Atlantic salmon that are outside the range of the currently listed distinct population segment. Biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission and the Penobscot Indian Nation compose the Biological Review Team that is preparing the status review report.

ID: 46 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/15/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 46

Title and Description:
Status Review for Atlantic Sturgeon

The subject of the peer review is a status review report conducted for Atlantic sturgeon to assist in the determination as to whether the species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A team of Federal biologists is preparing the status review report. In order to ensure that the report contains the best available scientific and commercial data, it must be peer reviewed by at least three independent reviewers as specified in policy developed pursuant to the ESA.

ID: 61 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/1/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 61

Title and Description:
Status Review for Black Abalone

The draft status review report for black abalone is a comprehensive assessment of black abalone’s biological status and its threats. The draft status review report provides the basis for determining whether black abalone warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

ID: 104 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/27/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 104

Title and Description:
Status Review for Eastern Oysters

The subject of the peer review is a status review report conducted for the eastern oyster in response to a positive 90-day finding on a petition to list the species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A team of Federal and state biologists is preparing the status review report.

ID: 45 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/1/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 45

Title and Description:
Status Review Update for Puget Sound Steelhead

The status review update consists of a 112 page report describing the findings of the Biological Review Team (BRT). The report describes the BRT’s analyses of the viability of the Puget Sound steelhead Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU).

ID: 47 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/22/2005
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 47

Title and Description:
Stock Assessment for Northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Large Coastal Shark Complex and Blacktip and Sandbar Sharks

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico large coastal shark complex and blacktip and sandbar sharks) relative to current definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes 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 Highly Migratory Species Division of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 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.

ID: 56 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/15/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 56

Title and Description:
Stock Assessment for Northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Small Coastal Shark Complex and Blacknose, Bonnethead, Finetooth, and Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (Northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico small coastal shark complex and blacknose, bonnethead, finetooth, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks) relative to current definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes 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 Highly Migratory Species Division of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 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.

ID: 57 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/15/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 57

Title and Description:
Stock Assessment of Pacific Hake / Whiting in U.S. and Canadian Water - 2007

This 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 Stock Synthesis 2 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: 71 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/5/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 71

Title and Description:
Stock Assessment of Pacific Hake / Whiting in U.S. and Canadian Waters - 2008

This assessment reports the status of the coastal Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) resource off the west coast of the United States and Canada. 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 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: 95 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/9/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 95

Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, monkfish

The Northeast Regional Data-Poor Working Group will conduct a review of the monkfish assessment as a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts who serve as a peer-review panel. This assessment will evaluate the status of two important fishery stocks, taking into account natural variations in population growth as well as the intensity and history of commercial harvesting. The Northeast Regional Data-Poor Working Group is affiliated with the Northeast Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) process. This larger process includes peer assessment development, 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.

The Plan Development Teams (PDTs) and Technical Committees of the Fishery Management Councils use the Stock Assessment Reports and the peer reviewers’ reports, to develop management advice for the Fishery Management Councils.

ID: 82 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/15/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 82

Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, northern shrimp and Atlantic sea scallop

As currently constituted, the Stock Assessment Workshop has three parts: 1) SAW working group meetings where the assessments are developed (or ASMFC technical/stock assessment groups when stock assessment 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) 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: 81 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/15/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 81

Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, ocean quahog, Northeast skate species complex, and Atlantic surfclam

ID: 64 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/15/2007
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 64

Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, spiny dogfish shark, deep sea red crab, and black sea bass

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) 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: 59 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/15/2006
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 59

Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, Striped bass

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) 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: 99 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/7/2008
Contact Person: Tom Gleason Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 99

Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, summer flounder