Scientific and Statistical Committee Archives

SSC Calls for Day One Monument Monitoring and Clearer False Killer Whale Analysis Ahead of Council Meeting

December 15, 2025 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Thursday the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council wrapped up a three-day virtual meeting, delivering scientific advice that will help shape decisions at the Council’s 205th meeting next week.

Marine National Monuments: “Day One” Monitoring if Fishing is Restored

A major SSC focus was what it would take to evaluate real-world outcomes if commercial fishing restrictions change in the Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments (MNM). The SSC stressed any restoration should be paired with immediate monitoring and research. Members said managers should not be forced to make future choices without the data needed to measure impacts.

Among the recommended priorities, the SSC cited the need for “tagging/telemetry and low-impact research approaches” to better understand how fish move in and around monument waters, and “co-designing research with fishing and indigenous communities, as appropriate.”

The Council will take up monument issues in multiple agenda items, including discussion on commercial fishing recommendations for the Pacific Islands Heritage MNM expansion area and potential options for Rose Atoll, the Marianas Trench and Papahānaumokuākea. The Council will also hear an SSC report on marine protected area science as part of that discussion.

More Information and Analysis Needed on False Killer Whale Trends

The SSC cautioned that more information and analysis are needed to diagnose what is driving the estimated population trends for the endangered main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale population in an August 2025 paper. The estimated decline could reflect limits in the underlying data or the modeling approach and may not reflect the true population trend.

SSC members reiterated recommendations they made in 2023, when they reviewed a preliminary version of the analysis. They said a step-by-step sensitivity analysis is needed to show how methodological changes affected results, and that key demographic data are missing. The SSC noted those recommendations were not addressed in the published paper, and their concerns about the validity of the estimated abundance trends remain.

The August 2025 paper used new analytical methods that account for animal movement in the photo-identification data. The analysis estimated abundance increased in the first half of the time series (1999-2022) but also estimated a 3.5% annual decline over the last 10 years. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) researchers and collaborators who published the study cited possible drivers, including evidence of fishery interactions, based on dorsal fin and mouthline injuries. They also point to other threats like pollution and reduced genetic diversity.

The island-associated insular false killer whale was listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2012. It is separate from the pelagic population, which is known to have incidental interactions with the Hawai‘i longline fishery.

Territorial Coral Reef Species Life History

The SSC reviewed results from a Council-supported project that used archived samples from PIFSC’s Life History Program to look at 12 coral reef species, about 2,200 samples, from Guam, the CNMI and American Samoa. Researchers used the samples to estimate age, growth and reproduction.

Members supported expanding life history work to more species and improving how samples are collected so scientists capture a wider range of sizes and seasons. The SSC noted market-based sampling can miss smaller and immature fish that can limit maturity estimates.

The SSC also recommended continued coordination with PIFSC and territorial agencies, along with training and quality-control steps to strengthen fishery-dependent life history datasets used in local management. Those steps include improved species and sex identification, and data-entry checks.

The SSC is the Council’s main scientific advisory group. Its recommendations will be presented during the Council meeting, alongside agency reports and public testimony. Council members consider that science as they debate and vote on initial and final actions and set future work priorities.

How to Join Council Meeting

The Council meeting will be held virtually Dec. 16–17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hawai‘i time. Major agenda items include commercial fishing actions tied to MNMs, 2026–2029 CNMI bottomfish catch limits, an ESA review for the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery, vessel electronic monitoring and more. The agenda includes scheduled public comment periods, including a block for non-agenda items at the end of the first day. A summary of action items is available at: https://tinyurl.com/205CouncilMtgActions.

Online: https://tinyurl.com/205CouncilMtg, Event password: CM205mtg

Get the full agenda & documents: www.wpcouncil.org/event/205th-council-meeting-virtual-2

Scientists Deliberate Impacts of Monument Pelagic Fishing Prohibitions

December 9, 2025 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

On the first day of its 158th meeting, the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council reviewed the best available science on the potential benefits and costs of restoring commercial fishing in U.S. Pacific marine national monuments.

A presentation by SSC member Ray Hilborn, University of Washington professor, examined the limited data available from within existing monument closures, new information from recent re-openings and economic performance of U.S. longline vessels before and after closures. The analysis compared widely promoted claims that large marine protected areas (MPAs) increase biodiversity, create healthier ecosystems and support sustainable fisheries with empirical evidence from the Pacific.

The presentation highlighted that:

There is very little direct fishery or ecosystem data from inside the closed areas, with most insights coming from catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) near monument boundaries, acoustic data from drifting fish aggregating devices and economic studies.
For the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, modeled increases in tuna abundance through spillover were modest (on the order of a few percent), and may not translate into large fishery gains.
In U.S. monument waters, where historical fishing pressure was relatively low, large ecological responses to closure are not expected, and recent studies have found no measurable increase in tuna biomass density inside open-ocean MPAs and, in some cases, substantial reductions in bigeye CPUE linked to the loss of historically productive grounds.
Closures of marine national monuments create an illusion of “protection” while leaving non-fishing threats ignored.

Hilborn’s talk also outlined potential SSC platforms for discussion, including that well-regulated U.S. fisheries under the Magnuson–Stevens Act (MSA) are unlikely to pose an abatable threat to pelagic stocks that can be solved through large open-ocean MPAs alone, and that management frameworks such as the MSA and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission already provide tools to achieve conservation goals while considering human and community impacts.

Eric Kingma, executive director of the Hawaii Longline Association, provided public comment following the SSC discussion. He noted that existing monument area closures “exclude U.S. vessels from U.S. waters and leave us very constrained in where we can fish.” Citing declining bigeye catch rates, Kingma emphasized that “we need to be able to find and follow the fish – that’s the most important part.”

“We’re not looking for more fish, but to have the opportunity to fish more efficiently away from competitors,” Kingma said.

NEFMC SSC – Listen Live – Friday, May 5, 2023 – Groundfish and Other Issues

April 28, 2023 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet by webinar to discuss issues related to groundfish, National Standard Guideline revisions, and other topics. The public is invited to listen live. Here are the details.

WHEN: Friday, May 5, 2023

START TIME: 9:30 a.m.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live. There is no charge to join the meeting through this webinar. The Remote Participation Guide is posted here.

CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (415) 930-5321. The access code is 916-377-054. Your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA: The SSC will meet to discuss:

The challenges the SSC has faced when applying acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rules for Northeast multispecies (groundfish) stocks;
Progress made on scoping a model for enhanced use of the SSC’s sociocultural and economic expertise in the SSC and Council process;
An update on plans for the eighth meeting of the Council Coordination Committee’s Scientific Coordination Subcommittee; and
Other business, including: (1) an update on the SSC’s 2023 work plan; and (2) an upcoming opportunity for the SSC to comment on NOAA Fisheries’ soon-to-be-published advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to update Guidelines for National Standards 4, 8, and 9.

COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Address comments to Council Chair Eric Reid or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org. Additional information is available in the meeting notice.

MATERIALS: All documents for this meeting will be posted on the SSC May 5, 2023 meeting webpage.

QUESTIONS: Contact Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492, ext. 101, joleary@nefmc.org or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

NEFMC SSC – Listen Live – Tuesday, June 8, 2021 – Groundfish and Council Research Priorities

June 1, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet by webinar to discuss issues related to groundfish and the Council’s updated list of research priorities. The public is invited to listen live. Here are the details.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 8, 2021

START TIME: 9:00 a.m.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live. There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (562) 247-8422. The access code is 272-665-980. Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA: The SSC will meet to:

Discuss possible next steps for modifying groundfish acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rules in response to findings in the report titled Evaluation of Alternative Control Rules for New England Groundfish;
Comment on the Council’s 2021-2025 Research Priorities; and
Consider other business as necessary.

COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 4, 2021. Address comments to Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org. Additional information is available in the meeting notice.

MATERIALS: All documents for this meeting will be posted on the SSC June 8, 2021 meeting webpage.

QUESTIONS: Contact Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 101, joleary@nefmc.org or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

Salmon Subcommittee of the Scientific and Statistical Committee to hold online meeting June 4, 2021

May 12, 2021 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee’s (SSC’s) Salmon Subcommittee will meet to review the SSC’s role in reviewing salmon forecast methodologies and other analyses informing Pacific Council decisions as specified in the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan and in Council Operating Procedure 15. The SSC Salmon Subcommittee may also discuss how best scientific information available determinations for salmon decision-making might be structured. The online meeting will be held Friday, June 4, 2021 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

Please see the meeting notice on the Pacific Council’s website for additional details.

For further information:

Please contact Pacific Fishery Management Council staff officer John DeVore at 503-820-2413; toll-free 1-866-806-7204.

SSC’s Economics and Groundfish Subcommittees to hold online meeting May 26, 2021

April 28, 2021 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee’s (SSC) Economics and Groundfish Subcommittees will hold a meeting to review a new Quota Share Owners’ Cost Survey to inform decisions on the west coast limited entry trawl catch shares program and to do some initial planning on an upcoming review of the limited entry fixed gear sablefish program. The online meeting will be held Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, and it will be open to the public.

Please see the meeting notice on the Pacific Council’s website for additional details.

For further information:

Please contact Pacific Fishery Management Council staff officer John DeVore at 503-820-2413; toll-free 1-866-806-7204.

NEFMC SSC Social Science Subpanel – Listen Live – Wednesday, April 28, 2021 – Groundfish, Scallop Specifications

April 20, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

An ad-hoc Social Science Subpanel of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet via webinar on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 to conduct a peer review of recent Northeast multispecies and Atlantic sea scallop specifications. The public is invited to listen live.

START TIME: 9:00 a.m.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live. There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (914) 614-3221. The access code is 429-619-243. Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA: The SSC Social Science Subpanel will:

Receive presentations on the social and economic analyses in Groundfish Framework Adjustment 59 and Scallop Framework Adjustment 32;

Discuss the presentations and related materials, which are part of the subpanel’s review of social and economic impact analyses for typical Council actions that adjust fishery specifications; and

Where appropriate, develop recommendations for consideration by the full Council at a future meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Opportunities for public input and comments will be available during the meeting. The deadline for submitting written comments is 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021. Address comments to Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org.

MATERIALS: All documents, including the peer review description, terms of reference, list of subpanel members, and framework documents, are posted on the SSC Social Science Subpanel April 28, 2021 meeting webpage.

QUESTIONS: Contact Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 101, joleary@nefmc.org or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting April 27-29 and May 3, 2021

April 19, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will hold a multi-day meeting via webinar later this month to review recent stock assessments for Red Snapper, Tilefish and Gag Grouper and provide recommendations for consideration by the Council. Each of the eight regional fishery management councils in the U.S. has a Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) responsible for developing fishing level recommendations and reviewing the scientific basis of council management plans and actions.

The latest stock assessment for South Atlantic Red Snapper was completed through the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment process and made available in March 2021. During its meeting, the SSC will review the assessment and consider whether the results are useful for providing management advice and developing fishing level recommendations for the Council.

An SSC may use the information from the Stock Assessment Report as the basis for providing fishing level recommendations or request additional analyses be conducted.

Fishing level recommendations include an Overfishing Limit and the Acceptable Biological Catch. An overview of the Red Snapper Stock Assessment will be provided to the SSC by NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center on Tuesday, April 27th.

In addition to Red Snapper, the SSC will review stock assessments and provide fishing level recommendations for Tilefish (golden Tilefish) and Gag Grouper. The SSC will also provide guidance on the Council’s “Decision Tree” approach to allocations, the South Atlantic Research and Monitoring Plan and other agenda items.

Recommendations from the SSC will be provided to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council during its June 14-18, 2021 meeting scheduled via webinar.

The briefing book materials for the April 27-29 and May 3, 2021 SSC meeting, including the meeting agenda and overview, presentations, reports, webinar registration information and an online public comment form are now available from the Council’s website.

Click here to register now for the meeting via webinar and receive email reminders as the meeting dates approach.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Seeks Scientific Advisors

April 7, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) is soliciting scientists interested in serving on its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). Membership is open to any qualified scientist, regardless of affiliation or geographic location. The SAFMC will review applications during its June 14-18, 2021 meeting via webinar. Applications received by April 30, 2021 will be submitted to the Council for consideration.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils in the country. Each council has an SSC responsible for reviewing the scientific basis of council management plans and actions and developing fishing level recommendations in accordance with national fisheries management guidelines. The SAFMC’s SSC meets at least twice a year to address a broad range of topics, including stock assessments, management action evaluations, social and economic analyses, habitat evaluations and ecosystem management issues. SSC members also play a key role in developing and reviewing stock assessments through participation in SEDAR, the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review program. SAFMC SSC members serve 3-year terms and may be appointed to multiple terms.

Anyone with expertise and experience in the areas of fisheries biology, population dynamics, fisheries research and monitoring, and social and economic analyses of natural resources, especially as applied to fish species in the South Atlantic, is encouraged to apply by submitting a CV, NMFS Financial Disclosure Statement, and cover letter. The cover letter should highlight qualifications and experience and indicate receipt and acceptance of the SAFMC SSC job description.

Application materials including the required financial disclosure form and SAFMC SSC job description and details on the application process may be obtained by contacting Chip Collier at the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council: chip.collier@safmc.net or (843) 302-8444.

NEFMC SSC – Listen Live – Friday, March 26, 2021 – Atlantic Herring, Ecosystem Issues

March 18, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet via webinar on Friday, March 26, 2021 to discuss issues related to Atlantic herring and the state of the ecosystem. The public is invited to listen live.

START TIME: 8:30 a.m.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live. There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (562) 247-8321. The access code is 658-624-262. Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA: The SSC will meet to:

Review initial information from the Atlantic Herring Plan Development Team (PDT) and provide PDT guidance on developing rebuilding plan alternatives for Atlantic herring;
Receive a presentation on the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s State of the Ecosystem 2021 Report for New England and provide the Science Center with any SSC recommendations about revisions; and
Discuss other business as needed.

COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Address comments to Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn or Executive Director Tom Nies and email them to comments@nefmc.org. Additional information is available in the meeting notice.

MATERIALS: All documents for this meeting will be posted on the SSC March 26, 2021 meeting webpage.

QUESTIONS: Contact Joan O’Leary at (978) 465-0492 ext. 101, joleary@nefmc.org or Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.