22nd Regular Session of the Scientific Committee

SC22 will review progress on Project 126 and consider the proposed sampling framework, including gap analysis results, design specifications, and implementation considerations, as well as how the sampling strategy can be applied through national and regional observer programs to support improved biological data collection and future shark stock assessments.

• Biological data are essential for both integrated and data-limited stock assessments, yet existing shark biological samples in the WCPO are limited and lack adequate spatial and temporal representation, which constrains their ability to reflect population structure. Project 126 aims to address these gaps by developing a statistically robust and spatially and temporally structured sampling strategy for shark species, building on approaches such as the ISC International Billfish Biological Sampling program to support the estimation of key biological parameters, including growth and maturity, and to better understand spatial variability. The project includes evaluation of existing samples in the SPC Tissue Bank, identification of sampling gaps across regions, time periods, size classes, and sexes, and testing of sampling design robustness under practical constraints using simulation frameworks. SC21 supported a no-cost extension of the project to allow further development of the sampling plan, informed by guidance from related sampling plan projects (Projects 117: WCPFC tuna biological sampling plan and Project 118: WCPFC billfish biological sampling), and noted that this work is necessary to improve the quality of stock assessments and scientific advice.