Council adopts final research and data needs list; EWG and SSC call for new indicators and process improvements

The Pacific Fishery Management Council on Thursday adopted the final research and data needs for the review cycle, incorporating recommendations from the Ecosystem Work Group and edits from the Scientific and Statistical Committee.

"According to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the council is required to review research and data needs and provide a list of the council's priorities to support the management of US West Coast fisheries," Marlene Bellman told the council when she introduced agenda item D3. The Ecosystem Work Group asked the council to add a coastwide krill index and to improve the timeliness of diet data analysis collected from commercial and recreational sampling.

Dr. Jason Schaffler of the SSC said the committee appended EWG suggestions with minor edits, removed overly broad preamble bullets, and recommended a more efficient process timed to maximize early engagement with advisory bodies and researchers.

Corey Ridings moved to adopt the SSC-revised research and data needs as final; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Council members praised the collaborative effort across advisory bodies and staff and said the prioritized list should help align research and funding opportunities.

Notable EWG technical recommendations included developing a coastwide krill index using cruise data streams, addressing a one-year or longer lag in diet-data analysis for species of concern, exploring multi-species and ecosystem-based assessment methods, and identifying environmental or biological data needed to validate dynamic ocean management tools and alternative harvest control rules.

Marlene Bellman said the council will work with the executive director to report the adopted research and data needs to relevant parties.