Eighth National SCS Workshop (2024)

Applying Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) Control Rules in a Changing Environment

August 26-28, 2024 — Boston, Massachusetts

The 8th national workshop of the Scientific Coordination Subcommittee (SCS8) was hosted by the New England Fishery Management Council on August 26-28, 2024, at the Seaport Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. The workshop theme was “Applying Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) Control Rules in a Changing Environment.” The objective of SCS8 was to provide actionable guidance on how to best support Councils in the management of fisheries, particularly on the use of ABC control rules, given the changing environment. Participants included invited Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) members and staff from the eight regional fishery management councils, as well as invited NOAA staff.

Agenda and Workshop Materials

• Agenda

• Meeting Notice

• SCS8 Guiding Objectives and Questions

• Attendee Roster

• Correspondence

• Meeting Recordings

Context Setting: Current approaches to defining ABC control rules and challenges in their application

• Keynote: Guidance and flexibility in specifying ABC control rules

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

Sub-theme 1: Advances in ecosystem science and assessment to inform ABC control rules in a dynamic environment

• Round Robin: Overview of the Councils' current ABC control rules

  • Presentation

• Keynote: Climate Ecosystem & Fisheries Initiative CEFI

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 1: Operationalizing the use of ecosystem information in Mid-Atlantic science and management decisions

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 2: Integration of climate information into stock assessment and management; Northeast Climate Integrated Modeling Initiative (NCLIM)

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 3: Spatiotemporal dynamics of reef fishes in the Atlantic Ocean of Southeastern U.S. coast

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

Sub-theme 2: Application of social science to achieve management goals under dynamic conditions

• Round Robin: Review of how Councils are using social and economic data/indicators

  • Presentation

• Case Study 4: WPFMC’s SEEM Indicators, collecting fishermen’s observations

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 5: Using catch shares market information to inform fisheries management

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 6: Spasming sablefish: Unraveling the quandary of a climate boon and socioeconomic swoon

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 7: Using LEK to advance ecosystem approaches for fisheries management in the U.S. Caribbean

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

Sub-theme 3: Adaptation of reference points, control rules, and rebuilding plans to a changing environment

• Keynote: Harvest strategies for climate-resilient fisheries

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 8: Temperature-dependent recruitment and dynamic harvest-control rules for Bering Sea walleye pollock

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 9: Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder reference point revisions & ABC outcomes

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 10: Sardine harvest control rules under climate change (Future Seas)

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 11: Nonstationarity in recruitment: Stock assessments in the South Atlantic Region

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

• Case Study 12: The Gulf of Mexico’s ABC control rule: intentions and practice (cancelled)

• Case Study 13: The role of Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) in turning climate science into climate informed management advice

  • Presentation

  • Abstract

Closing

• Keynote: Applying ABC control rules in a changing environment: rules of change

  • Presentation