21st Regular Session of the Scientific Committee

The 3-year Project 123 aims to evaluate features and capabilities that will be important in future tuna assessments, explore fitting models to tuna data using existing software platforms, guide decisions on the type of new software development required, and establish collaboration with tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and research labs to achieve these goals. 

At SC20, ISG-09 reviewed the scoping of next-generation tuna stock assessment software and supported prioritizing practical tasks, including transitioning swordfish and striped marlin assessments to Stock Synthesis and testing simplified models for yellowfin tuna. Members acknowledged the need to focus on immediate assessment priorities while keeping longer-term software development under consideration, depending on available resources and capacity. (Attachment E, SC20 Summary Report).

SC21 will review the progress of Project 123, which explores the transition to next-generation stock assessment software for tuna fisheries. The project report may include i) evaluating the benefits, limitations, uncertainties, and resource implications associated with each software platform under consideration; ii) assessing the feasibility of analyzing tagging data independently from the main stock assessment models, a potential strategy to reduce model complexity while maintaining scientific robustness; and iii) identifying key analytical features and technical capabilities that future stock assessment platforms should incorporate, such as support for spatial structure, tagging integration, and flexibility for multi-species and multi-fleet assessments, to ensure that WCPFC assessments remain scientifically credible, transparent, and adaptable to evolving fishery and management needs.

SC21 will provide feedback on the progress of the project as needed.