Best Scientific Information Available: April 2022—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discussion:
In 2018, NOAA issued a procedural directive that required each Region to develop a regional
Best Scientific Information Available (BSIA) framework that describes how it implements NOAA
Fisheries general BSIA framework in the context of stock status determinations and catch
specifications. The required elements of this framework should include: a timeline, the roles ofeach partner in the process, and a description of modifications from the general framework (ifrequired). Criteria for implementing each of these elements of BSIA are included in the NS2
Guidelines. Upon completion of the Regional response to the procedural directive, thedocument should be available to the public. This document provides the draft framework forstock status determinations and catch specifications of: groundfish resources in the Bering Sea
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA); crab resources in the Bering Sea AleutianIslands; scallop off Alaska; salmon fisheries in the EEZ of Alaska; and fish resources of the
Arctic (BSAI Groundfish FMP, GOA Groundfish FMP, BSAI Crab FMP, Scallop FMP, Salmon
FMP; Arctic FMP). The partners involved in provision of BSIA include the Alaska Fisheries
Science Center (AFSC), the Alaska Regional Office (AKRO), the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (NPFMC), the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), theInternational Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC; halibut Discard Mortality Rates, DMRs), thePacific Salmon Commission, and NOAA Fisheries Headquarters. The deadline for completionof this document is May 2022. This document provides an opportunity for review and comment
prior to final submission in May.
This document outlines how the BSIA is considered at each step of the review and approval
process. The process begins with the collection of information relevant to population status andthe assembly of the stock assessment. With the exception of Demersal Shelf Rockfish, the
AFSC prepares all groundfish assessments. Crab stock assessments are prepared byscientists within ADF&G and AFSC. Scallop stock assessments are prepared by scientists
within ADF&G. These assessments undergo peer review by relevant NPFMC Plan Teams(BSAI and GOA groundfish Plan Teams, BSAI crab Plan Team, and Scallop Plan Team),
Center of Independent Expert panels, and final recommendations are made by the NPFMC
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). Specification of key biological reference points (e.g.,
Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), Overfishing Levels (OFL) and relevant spatial allocations)are adopted by the SSC and they are used by the NPFMC to establish groundfish annual total
allowable catch specifications (TAC) at a level less than or equal to the ABC. TACs or GHLs forcrab stocks, GHL for scallop, and the TAC for DSR in the Southeast Outside/East Yakutat areas
are set by the State of Alaska (ADF&G). NOAA Fisheries officially certifies that the stock
assessment and/or management decision is based on BSIA through this multi-layered peer
review process. Table 1 provides a roadmap of the different roles and responsibilities ofdifferent partners in the process (Table 1). The activities included in the spreadsheet are not acomprehensive summary of all of the quality control steps that occur to ensure that decisions
are based on BSIA.
In compliance with the Directive, the AKRO identifies a staff person to be available in anadvisory capacity to provide feedback on potential SSC decisions and recommendations that
may be uncertain in regard to compliance with policies. In 2022, this person is Mary Furuness.

Timelines for Groundfish, Crab and Scallop:
Groundfish
The following provides an overview of the review schedule for determination of Best Scientific
Information Available for groundfish stocks. The Regional Framework broadly reflects thecurrent timelines by which the process takes place, however, the specific monthly schedules
provided in the report for groundfish, crab and scallop are occasionally revised as the needrequires. It should be noted that the public has an opportunity to comment during reviews by
the Plan Teams, SSC and Council as well as opportunities to comment on Federal Register
notices of harvest specifications.
January - August Stock assessment authors review comments and suggestions from the Plan
Teams, SSC and CIE reviews, and explore alternative assessment inputs and model
configurations or the implications of using alternative data sets. Relevant local knowledge,
traditional knowledge, and subsistence knowledge, where appropriate is considered.
January - July CIE reviews of selected stocks.
July - Program leaders within AFSC distribute stock assessment assignment memorandum
highlighting the dates of upcoming review panel meetings and timing for in-house review.
September - Groundfish Plan Teams review proposed model changes and makerecommendations for which model configurations should be brought forward.
September - The Groundfish Plan Teams review the halibut discard mortality rate (DMR)
working group report and recommends DMRs for the upcoming season.
October - The SSC reviews assessment inputs and proposed model changes, the Plan Team
recommendations, and makes recommendations for what inputs and which model
configurations should be brought forward. The SSC recommends proposed groundfish
specifications for the next 2 years. Public comment is received prior to the SSC making
recommendations on proposed groundfish specifications.
October - The NPFMC adopts proposed groundfish specifications. The NPFMC receives publiccomment prior to decision making.
October - Assessment authors update models with in-year data to the extent practicable,
compile the draft stock assessment documents according to the Stock Assessment and FisheryEvaluation (SAFE) Guidelines, submit their assessments for in-house review, and prepare
presentations for the Groundfish Plan Team meetings

October - The SSC reviews the DMR working group report and recommendations from the
Groundfish Plan Teams and approves DMRs for the upcoming season.
November - Groundfish Plan Teams review updated models and make recommendations for
ABC and OFL.
November – December – NMFS publishes proposed groundfish specifications in the Federal
Register and requests public comment for 30 days.
December - SSC reviews updated models, reviews the Plan Team recommendations, makes
final recommendations for ABC and OFL, and approves the final SAFE report. Public commentis accepted prior to SSC final recommendations.
December - Based on the SSC’s OFL and ABC, the NPFMC recommends the groundfish ACL,
which is usually set equal to the ABC, and groundfish TAC, which may be equal to or lessthan the ABC, for the next 2 years to the Secretary of Commerce. Public comment is received
by the NPFMC prior to action.
January - February - The Secretary of Commerce reviews and approves final
recommendations for the next two years. The proposed groundfish specifications approved in
October are superseded through this process when the final harvest specifications are
published in the Federal Register.

Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Crab
January Crab modeling workshop reviews proposed changes to models.
January Crab Plan Team (CPT) reviews Norton Sound Red King Crab (NSRKC) assessmentand makes recommendations for ABC and OFL
February SSC reviews NSRKC assessment and CPT recommendations for ABC and OFL.
The SSC makes its own recommendation for ABC and OFL.
February The NPFMC receives the recommendation for ABC and OFL.
February ADF&G sets the guideline harvest level (GHL) for NSRKC less than the ABC
recommended by the SSC.
April - Crab assessment authors are assigned. Assessment authors work on proposed modelchanges or alternative data uses.
May - CPT reviews proposed model changes and proposals for alternative use of available
data. CPT recommends ABC and OFL for Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab (AIGKC)
June - SSC reviews CPT recommendations for model changes and/or changes in the use ofavailable data. SSC selects preferred models for assessments in fall. SSC reviews CPT
recommendations for ABC and OFL for AIGKC and recommends ABC and OFL.
June - NPFMC receives SSC recommended ABC and OFL for crab.
June - ADF&G sets TAC for AIGKC, GHL for PIGKC, and any harvest by Commissioner’s
permit for WAIRKC less than the ABC set by the SSC
June-July - CIE reviews conducted on selected Bering Sea crab stocks.
August - Results from AFSC bottom trawl survey delivered to crab assessment authors.
ADF&G provides updated catch estimates to crab assessment authors.
September - CPT meets to review assessments for remaining Bering Sea crab stocks. The
CPT develops recommendations for ABC and OFL.

October - The SSC reviews the updated stock assessments and the CPT recommendations formodels and buffers, and ABC and OFL. The SSC recommends the ABC and OFL for remaining
Bering Sea crab stocks.
October - The NPFMC receives the SSC recommended specifications for ABC and OFL.
October - ADF&G sets the TACs/GHLs for the remaining Bering Sea crab stocks less than the
ABC recommended set by the SSC.

Scallop
The following provides an overview of the review schedule for determination of Best Scientific
Information Available.
January - Scallop assessment authors are assigned. Assessment authors work on proposedmodel changes or alternative data uses.
March - The Scallop Plan Team (SPT) reviews proposed models and data and supports the
ABC and OFL. In the absence of an estimate of stock biomass, OFL and ABC are specified
using the methods described in the Scallop FMP.
April - SSC reviews the updated stock assessment and the SPT recommendations for models
and their proposed ABC and OFL. The SSC recommends the ABC and OFL for scallop.
June – ADF&G sets the GHL for the upcoming season opening on July 1.

Salmon Fisheries
The troll fishery in the EEZ off of Southeast Alaska (East Area) is currently the only commercial
salmon fishery authorized by the Salmon FMP. The Salmon FMP delegates management of
this fishery to the State of Alaska, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and thefishery is also subject to the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Thus, the NPFMC, NOAA Fisheries, theState of Alaska, and the Pacific Salmon Commission coordinate their respective management
responsibilities. The NPFMC and NOAA Fisheries receive information on, and stay apprised of,management measures that regulate the commercial salmon troll fishery and, if necessary,
review state management measures for consistency with the policy and objectives of the
Salmon FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable federal law. The Convention for
the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks in the North Pacific Ocean and domestic legislation
implementing that Convention prohibit directed fishing for salmon outside of the EEZ (>200
nautical miles offshore) in the North Pacific.

Arctic Fishery Management

The Arctic Management Area is closed to commercial fishing inside the EEZ between 3 and 200
mi until such time in the future that sufficient information is available with which to initiate aplanning process for commercial fishery development. The planning process and criteria theCouncil will consider for authorizing fishing using the BSIA in the Arctic Management Area areprovided in Chapter 2 of the Arctic FMP.

Table 1. NPFMC Groundfish, Crab and Scallop Review Procedures
BSIA Framework Action
Stock
Assessment

Assessment
prioritization

NPFMC - Groundfish

NPFMC - CrabCenter works with NPFMC, Plan Teamsand SSC to prioritize and schedule stock
assessments.
(Hollowed et al. 2017)

Center works with NPFMC, Plan Teams,
SSC and ADF&G to prioritize andschedule stock assessments

Overseeing
researchneeded forassessment

Center conducts outreach regarding
research needs and compilation of datafor groundfish assessments.

Center works with ADF&G to conduct
outreach regarding research needs andcompilation of data for Bering Sea andAleutian (BSAI) Islands crab stocks.

Conduct andcompleteassessment

Center takes the lead in conducting stock
assessments for groundfish.
Center, Plan Teams and SSC develop
standardized guidelines for preparing
stock assessments.

Center takes the lead in conducting
assigned crab stock assessments. The
Crab Plan Team (CPT) and SSC develop
standardized guidelines for stock
assessments.

Assessment
workinggroups(1) Center staff assemble authors to
conduct groundfish stock assessments.
(2) Authors carry out and consider
analyses, and recommend analyses andoutputs to be evaluated by peer review.

(1) Center staff assemble authors to
conduct crab stock assessments.
(2) Authors carry out and consider
analyses, and recommend analyses andoutputs to be evaluated by peer review.

Assessment
model
selection

Authors identify preferred assessment
inputs and model. Center staff participate
as members of the Groundfish Plan Team.
Groundfish Plan Teams review theauthor’s proposed assessment inputs andmodel(s) for consideration, and the basis
for biological reference points andprojection of short term OFLs, consistent
with the SAFE guidelines. The SSC
reviews the GPT and authors
recommendations for assessment inputs,
model(s), biological reference points andAuthors identify preferred assessment
inputs and model. Center staff participate
as members of the Crab Plan Team toreview the author's proposed model(s)for consideration, and the basis forbiological reference points and projectionof short term OFLs, consistent with the
SAFE guidelines. The SSC reviews the
CPT and authors recommendations forassessment inputs, model(s), biologicalreference points and projection of ABC
and OFLs. A preferred model is identified.

ADF&G - Scallop, Crab, DSR
For DSR and assigned crab see NPFMC
crab and groundfish.
ADF&G works with NPFMC toprioritize and schedule scallop stock
assessments.

ADF&G works with the Center to conduct
outreach regarding research needs andcompilation of data for the scallop
assessment, BSAI crab assessments andDemersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR).

ADF&G takes the lead in conducting thescallop assessment, Demersal Shelf
Rockfish, and assigned crab stock
assessments. The Plan Team and SSC
develop standardized guidelines forgroundfish and crab stock assessments.
ADF&G works with the Scallop Plan Team(SPT) to establish guidelines for theassessment.
(1) ADF&G staff assemble authors to
conduct the DSR, scallop, and assigned
crab assessments.
(2) Authors carry out and consider
analyses, and recommend analyses andoutputs to be evaluated by peer review.

Authors identify preferred assessment
inputs and model. ADF&G staff
participate as members of the Groundfish
PT, CPT and SPT to review the author's
proposed assessment inputs andmodel(s) for consideration, and the basis
for biological reference points andprojection of short term OFLs, consistent
with the SAFE guidelines. The SSC
reviews the GPT, CPT, SPT and authors
recommendations for assessment inputs,
model(s), biological reference points and

NOAA Fisheries (AKRO or HQ)
AKRO contributes to theprioritization and scheduling ofgroundfish stock assessments
through membership on Plan
Teams and SSC.

HQ Tracks the assessment schedule
for all stocks in the region.

Staff participate in assessment working
groups, as appropriate.

Staff participate in assessment working
groups, as appropriate.

projection of ABC and OFLs. A preferredmodel or ensemble of models is
identified.

Peer Review

Assessment
ReviewThe SSC Handbook outlines how bestpractices in peer review are achieved.

In addition to the review process outlined
above, stock assessments periodicallyundergo review by the Center ofIndependent Experts (CIE). These
reviews are typically done every 5 years
for the majority of stocks. The Center has
the lead on organizing the CIE reviews ofassessments.
Subject matter experts participate in the
CIE review and often include Council staff
and scientists from ADF&G, the Centerand the Alaska Regional Office (AKRO).
The meetings are open to the public andmembers of the Plan Teams, SSC andCouncil Staff regularly attend the review.

These reviews are not intended to select a
preferred model nor a specificrecommendation for ABC or OFL. These
reviews are intended to seek advice on
whether the current model configurations
represent BSIA. In addition CIE reviewers
provide advice on how to improve themodel(s) in the future.

SSC
Recommendactions for
ABC and OFL

Authors, Plan Teams and the SSC
consider peer review panelist reports
and identify areas of future researchon assessment approaches.

The authors consider whether areduction in the ABC from the maximum
permissible is recommended based on
Risk Tables. Relevant information
provided in the Ecosystem Status Reports(ESRs) and Ecosystem Socioeconomic
Profile (ESP) may be included in the Risk
Tables. The author’s recommendation isreviewed by the Groundfish Plan Teams.
After selecting a preferred model orensemble of models, the default
recommendation of the SSC is maximum
permissible ABC as produced by themodel or calculation. In some cases a
reduction from maxABC may occur based

The SSC Handbook outlines how bestpractices in peer review are achieved.

projection of ABC and OFLs. A preferredmodel is identified.

The SSC Handbook outlines how bestpractices in peer review are achieved.

In addition to the review process outlined
above, stock assessments periodicallyundergo review by the Center ofIndependent Experts (CIE). These
reviews are typically done every 5 years.
The Center has the lead on organizing the
CIE reviews of assessments.

In addition to the review process outlined
above, crab stock assessments
periodically undergo review by the Centerof Independent Experts (CIE). These
reviews are typically done every 5 years.
The Center has the lead on organizing the
CIE reviews of assessments.

These reviews are not intended to select a
preferred model nor a specificrecommendation for ABC or OFL. These
reviews are intended to seek advice on
whether the current model configurations
represent BSIA. In addition CIE reviewers
provide advice on how to improve themodel(s) in the future.

These reviews are not intended to select a
preferred model nor a specificrecommendation for ABC or OFL. These
reviews are intended to seek advice on
whether the current model configurations
represent BSIA. In addition CIE reviewers
provide advice on how to improve themodel(s) in the future.

Subject matter experts participate in the
CIE review and often include Council staff,
and scientists from ADF&G, the Center,and the AKRO. The meetings are open to
the public and members of the Plan
Teams, SSC and Council Staff regularly
attend the review.

Authors, Plan Teams and the SSC consider
peer review panelist reports and identify
areas of future research on assessment
approaches.
The authors consider whether areduction in the ABC from the maximum
permissible is recommended. Relevant
information provided in the Ecosystem
Status Report (ESR) and Ecosystem
Socioeconomic Profile (ESP) may inform
this recommendation. This
recommendation is reviewed by the Crab
Plan Team. The SSC reviews the author
and Plan Team recommendations for
reducing the ABC and selects arecommends the ABC.
The SSC reviews the CPT’s
recommendations for ABC and OFL. The

Subject matter experts participate in the
CIE review and often include Council staff
and scientists from ADF&G, the Centerand the AKRO. The meetings are open to
the public and members of the Plan
Teams, SSC and Council Staff regularly
attend the review.

Authors, Plan Teams and the SSC
consider peer review panelist reports
and identify areas of future researchon assessment approaches.

The crab authors consider whether areduction in the ABC from the maximum
permissible is recommended. This
recommendation is reviewed by the Crab
Plan Team. The SSC reviews the author
and Plan Team recommendations for
reducing the ABC and selects arecommended ABC.

The SSC reviews the GPT, CPT and SPT
recommendations for ABC and OFL. For
DSR, assigned crab stocks and scallop, theSSC recommends an ABC and OFL to theCouncil. The Council receives the SSC
recommendation for ABC and OFL for

NOAA Fisheries HQ tracks the outcomeof the peer review with respect toconclusions about stock status throughbriefings by AFSC before and after thepeer review.

SSC
Comments

CatchSpecification

Archives

NOAA
Fisheries
Approval

Preparers

onbased on Risk Tables and selects arecommended ABC.

SSC recommends the ABC and OFL to theCouncil. The Council receives the SSC
recommendation for ABC and OFL foreach stock or stock complex.

each stock or stock complex.

The SSCs may also report on a variety ofissues at the request of a Council, such as
stock status and health, bycatch, habitat
status, social and economic impacts ofmanagement measures and sustainabilityof fishing practices.

The SSCs may also report on a variety ofissues at the request of a Council, such as
stock status and health, bycatch, habitat
status, social and economic impacts ofmanagement measures and sustainabilityof fishing practices.

The SSCs may also report on a variety ofissues at the request of a Councils, such as
stock status and health, bycatch, habitat
status, social and economic impacts ofmanagement measures and sustainabilityof fishing practices.

The SSC reviews the GPT’s
recommendations for ABC and OFL. The
SSC recommends the ABC and OFL to theCouncil and the Advisory Panel (AP). The
Council receives the SSC recommendation
for ABC and OFL for each stock or stockcomplex.

When reviewing an assessment andmaking ABC recommendations, the SSC
certifies that the recommendations madeare based on scientific information thatmeets NS2 guidelines

When reviewing an assessment andmaking ABC recommendations, the SSC
has certifies that the recommendations
made are based on scientific informationthat meets NS2 guidelines

When reviewing an assessment andmaking ABC recommendations, the SSC
has certifies that the recommendations
made are based on scientific informationthat meets NS2 guidelines

Council Staff in concert with the SSC
develop tables of the recommended ABC
and OFL for each stock for the Counciland AP. The Advisory Panel comments on
the specifications. The Council
recommends ACLs that cannot exceed the
ABC recommended by the SSC. Council
then meets publicly to approvespecifications.

Council Staff in concert with the SSC
develop tables of the recommended ABC
and OFL for each stock for the AP andCouncil. The Council meets publicly to
accept the SSC recommendations for ABC
and OFL.

The ADF&G sets the TAC/GHL for all BSAI
crab stocks, GHL for scallop, and the TAC
for DSR in the SEO/YAK area.

NOAA Fisheries will inform the Council
if there are concerns with the catch
specifications during development.
NOAA Fisheries will provide thisnotice in time for the Council to amend
its recommendation.

The Center records the assessment
results into a centralized repository(NOAA Fisheries' Species Information
System).

The Center records the assessment
results into a centralized repository(NOAA Fisheries' Species Information
System).

NOAA HQ maintains the SIS system.

The Center records the assessment
results into a centralized repository(NOAA Fisheries' Species Information
System).

On behalf of the Secretary, NOAA
Fisheries reviews Council
recommendations, and, if appropriate,
certifies that such recommendations are
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
Act, the National Standards, including
National Standard 2 and BSIA, and otherapplicable laws

Anne Hollowed, NMFS AFSC, REFM
Chris Lunsford, NMFS, AFSC, ABL
Martin Dorn, NMFS AFSC, REFM
Mary Furuness, NMFS, AKRO, SFD
Katie Palof, ADF&G
Tyler Jackson, ADF&G
Persons (and Agencies) Consulted
Doug Duncan NMFS, AKRO, SFD
Molly Watson, NOAA GC