The diminishing levels of cod, flounder, and haddock fish stocks in the Northeast United States has caused widespread concern in the United States and Canada. Dwindling stocks have forced managers to take strict regulatory measures. Numerous questions have been raised about the accuracy of stock assessment techniques and the science used to evaluate the status of these stocks.
Considering these concerns, Congress mandated a scientific review of the methodology and data used to evaluate the appropriateness of the management measures. This book concludes that while certain improvements can be made in data collection, modeling uncertainty, and communication between fishers, scientists, and managers, the scientific methods used in the Northeast stock assessments are sound. In addition, the committee offers recommendations on how to improve the stock assessment process.