NOAA Fisheries Updates Fisheries Research Plan

March 17, 2004

As required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NOAA Fisheries has released its updated Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research, which outlines the agency’s research direction and priorities every three years.

” From enhancing our scientific capabilities to improving the effectiveness of research partnerships, this plan represents the roadmap of the agency’s fisheries research efforts for the next five years,” said Bill Hogarth, director of NOAA Fisheries. “This agency is a world leader in fisheries science and our updated plan will help to continue that tradition of excellence.”

The plan presents several goals and objectives including:

The deployment of advanced and innovative sampling technologies

Production of next generation stock assessments of greater sophistication and accuracy to reduce uncertainty and incorporate ecosystem considerations

Exploration of new technologies and practices for bycatch reduction

Further development of cooperative research efforts

Enhancement of economics and social science data collection to more fully address the social, cultural, and economic diversity of the nationÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¾Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢s fisheries

Establishing an inventory of living marine resource habitats and implementing measures to monitor the trends in habitat availability

NOAA Fisheries’ scientific program consists of fisheries research and the publication of peer-reviewed studies and analyses. Agency scientists provide this information to industry, environmental groups, resource managers and others who are dependent on fisheries science to accomplish their missions. Ensuring that this information is of the highest quality and responsive to stakeholders’ needs is a major aim of this plan.

Substantial progress has been made under the last Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research in 2001, including:

Expanded Stock Assessments.

Establishment of protocols for bottom trawl, acoustic and other survey methods to assure the quality of data used for stock assessments.

A Population Dynamics Fellowship program was created to increase the pool of trained stock assessment scientists. The first of these graduates are beginning to enter service with NOAA Fisheries.

Collaboration with universities to improve assessment models.

Created a National Stock Assessment Toolbox to standardize and test common stock assessment models and to make them accessible to a wider range of technical users.

Inclusion of ecosystem and environmental information in stock assessment.

Improved peer-review process with NOAA Fisheries funding for a Center of Independent Experts.

Development of a national database to support fisheries management and provide more timely and comprehensive reporting to Congress and constituents

NOAA Fisheries Updates Fisheries Research Plan

The deployment of advanced and innovative sampling technologies

Production of next generation stock assessments of greater sophistication and accuracy to reduce uncertainty and incorporate ecosystem considerations

Exploration of new technologies and practices for bycatch reduction

Further development of cooperative research efforts

Establishing an inventory of living marine resource habitats and implementing measures to monitor the trends in habitat availability

Expanded Stock Assessments.

Establishment of protocols for bottom trawl, acoustic and other survey methods to assure the quality of data used for stock assessments.

A Population Dynamics Fellowship program was created to increase the pool of trained stock assessment scientists. The first of these graduates are beginning to enter service with NOAA Fisheries.

Collaboration with universities to improve assessment models.

Created a National Stock Assessment Toolbox to standardize and test common stock assessment models and to make them accessible to a wider range of technical users.

Inclusion of ecosystem and environmental information in stock assessment.

Improved peer-review process with NOAA Fisheries funding for a Center of Independent Experts.

Development of a national database to support fisheries management and provide more timely and comprehensive reporting to Congress and constituents

Share this article

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.