22nd Regular Session of the Scientific Committee

SC22 will discuss the Process for the Independent Review of Stock Assessmentsand consider improvements to the framework, including establishing a forward schedule, prioritization criteria, alignment with the assessment workplan, and clarification of scope and terms of reference, to ensure that independent peer review becomes a routine and effective component of WCPFC stock assessment practice.

• SC12 adopted a formal Process for the Independent Review of Stock Assessments, including recommending a multi-year review schedule, Commission approval, selection of a review panel, and panel’s review process. SC21 highlighted that this agreed process has not been systematically applied, and identified practical gaps such as limited review time, lack of a strategic and prioritized schedule, resource constraints, and differing views among CCMs on timing and necessity of reviews, despite broad recognition of the importance of periodic independent review for credibility, ongoing improvements, and quality assurance.
• ^ See Attachment K, SC12 Summary Report.