Resources: Research and Data Needs
Overview
Fisheries management depends on good scientific information. In its decisionmaking process, the Council relies on data developed by Federal, state, and academic scientists. Scientists serve on the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC); on technical teams and management teams; on Stock Assessment Review panels and on other advisory bodies.
The Council often identifies research and data needs on an impromptu basis. In addition, the Council has a routine process for identifying research and data needs. Council Operating Procedure 12 outlines the Council’s process for documenting research and data needs and the schedule for completing and communicating these needs to organizations which may be able to support additional research. Updates to research and data needs documents are timed to influence the annual operating plans and budget requests of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The documents also provide information about the Council’s needs to other researchers, agencies and institutions.
At least every five years, the Council staff present an updated version of the Research and Data Needs document(s) to the SSC for review. After the documents are approved, they are sent to NMFS, regional Sea Grant institutions, and other institutions and agencies. This schedule is not binding, and may be changed depending on other Council staffing needs.
Social Science in the Pacific Fishery Management Council Process
White Paper: “Social Science in the Pacific Fishery Management Council Process”
This white paper addresses non-economic social science needs in the fisheries management process. Many federal rules mandate the consideration of social information in fisheries decision making. In addition, social science can be used for non-mandated purposes such as to improve outreach and education efforts, increase participation by stakeholders, and increase the effectiveness of enforcement. The white paper summarizes how regional fishery management councils and other natural resource agencies use social science; provides a brief history of social science use in the Pacific Council process; and describes federal mandates for social science, current social science efforts, barriers to using social science in the council process, and social science information needs for the Pacific Council.
The Research and Data Needs Document 2008
At its September 2008 meeting, the Council adopted a final 2008 Research and Data Needs document.
The January 2007 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) added several new provisions and programs specific to research, data collection, and reporting, including a requirement that the Council shall develop five-year research priorities for fisheries, fisheries interactions, habitats, and other areas of research that are necessary for management purposes. The 2008 Research and Data Needs document is intended to record and communicate the Council’s research and data needs through 2013.
Download the Final 2008 Research and Data Needs document.
