SMAST- Fay Lab Quantfish Workshop Series -"Application of the stock assessment continuum" by: Dr. Rich Bell
The Fay Lab Quantfish Workshop Series
Application of the stock assessment continuum
Dr. Rich Bell
The Nature Conservancy
Thursday April 2, 2026
3:30pm
Via Zoom
Abstract:
Dynamic fisheries management requires the collection of data, analysis to turn those data into information, and a decision-making framework that uses the information to establish the level of fishing mortality. Stock assessments are one component of this process that take in data, analyze them, and output stock status for use by managers. Stock assessments are not an end unto themselves, but a tool to provide information within the decision-making process to regulate fishing. Stock assessments span a continuum from assumption heavy, data-limited approaches (e.g. expert opinion) to data intensive, sophisticated methods (e.g. state-space statistical catch at age model) (Cope 2024). We review three fishery management engagements that required stock assessments, spanning the full assessment continuum. For a data poor octopus population, we used CPUE, mean size, and local knowledge to develop an empirical, indicator-based framework. The framework linked stock status with the duration of the temporary octopus closures. For a data moderate spiny lobster stock complex, we evaluated a range of input parameters and data uncertainty with the Stock Assessment Continuum tool (SS-DL), with the results determining seasonal openings and closings. Within a data rich groundfish population, we evaluated the impact of static and time-varying harvest control rules on overall biomass and stock status. In each engagement, the assessment was developed based on the management required, the biology of the organism, and the available data, resulting in a dynamic decision-making process to regulate fishing.
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https://umassd.zoom.us/j/98079655705
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For questions, please contact Garrett Klee at gklee@umassd.edu
Online via Zoom
Garrett Klee
gklee@umassd.edu
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/98079655705