Federal Register #2026-18844

NOAA Public Meeting: Groundfish Stock Assessment Methodology Review

This opportunity is a public meeting hosted by NOAA's Pacific Fishery Management Council to review scientific methodologies for groundfish stock assessments. - Purpose: Review and discuss the suitability of standardizing fishery-dependent indices for midwater rockfishes and an eDNA-based index of abundance. - Focus Areas: - Evaluation of data filtering practices and model structures for fishery-dependent indices - Assessment of eDNA-based approaches for estimating groundfish abundance - Audience: Open to the public, with opportunities for public comment - Scope: No procurement, contracting, or vendor participation; strictly a scientific and technical review - Outcome: Recommendations for future Council consideration, not immediate management actions or purchases - No OEMs, products, or services are being requested or discussed

Description

The Groundfish Subcommittee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee will convene to review the suitability of a standardization of fishery-dependent indices for midwater rockfishes and an eDNA-based index of abundance for application in groundfish stock assessments. The meeting will be held in person with an opportunity for public comment. The review focuses on methodologies for data filtering, index standardization, and the application of eDNA approaches for abundance indices. No management actions will be decided during this meeting; it is intended to develop recommendations for future consideration.

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