20th Regular Session of the Scientific Committee

Agenda Item 4.6.5 WCPFC Billfish Biological Sampling Plan (Project 118)

Annotation

Biological information is crucial for integrated age-structured assessment models and data-limited assessment approaches but is often hard to estimate. The ISC created the IBBS program for North Pacific billfish species to collect data for robust biological parameters, including growth and maturity, and to address spatially varying characteristics. In WCPFC, biological data collection is ad-hoc without a formal plan, potentially hindering representative data development for stock assessment. SC20 will review the project document for finalization.