Dr. Jason Schaffler is the Chair of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and Dr. Galen Johnson is the Vice-Chair. Marlene A. Bellman is the staff officer for the SSC.
The SSC is made up of scientists from state and Federal agencies, academic institutions, and other sources. The SSC reviews fishery management plans (FMPs), stock assessments, rebuilding plans, and other documents to ensure the Council is basing their decisions on the best available science. Among other duties, the SSC identifies scientific resources required for the development of FMPs and amendments; provides a multidisciplinary review of FMPs or amendments, and advises the Council on their scientific content; helps the Council evaluate statistical, biological, economic, social, and other scientific information; and makes recommendations on the composition of plan development, technical, and management teams.
The SSC has subcommittees that focus on salmon, groundfish, highly migratory species, coastal pelagic species, ecosystem management, and economics. SSC members are selected by a vote of the Council. At-large members serve three-year terms, while management agency representatives serve indefinite terms.
Recent SSC reports
- D.4.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Widow Rockfish Alternative Harvest Control Rules
- D.6.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Initial Harvest Specifications for 2027-2028
- C.2.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Review of 2025 Fisheries and Summary of 2026 Stock Forecasts
- E.1.b Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on California Current Ecosystem Annual Status Report
- Scientific and Statistical Committee Groundfish Subcommittee Report on Process Review
- D.2.a SSC Report 2: SSC Report on Widow Rockfish “Q&A” Document
- D.2.a SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Adopt Stock Assessments
- Scientific and Statistical Committee Memo – March 2026
- Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Agenda – March 2026
- SSC DRAFT Minutes – November 2025 – March 2026
- SSC Sept 2025 Minutes Adopted Final
- June SSC Adopted Meeting Minutes
- C.6.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: Scientific and Statistical Committee Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- F.5.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Harvest Specifications and Management Measures Flexibility
- F.7.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: Scientific and Statistical Committee Report on Trawl Catch Share Program Review