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Peer Review Plans

Titles are listed with Highly Influential Scientific Assessments first, followed by Influential Scientific Information. Within those groups the order is alphabetical.

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Title and Description:
CCSP Product 1.1 Temperature trends in the lower atmosphere - steps for understanding and reconciling differences

ID: 22 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/31/2006
Contact Person: Linda Suttora Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 22

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 1.3 Re-analysis of historical climate data for key atmospheric features. Implications for attribution of causes of observed change

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. This report, produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coordination with the National Aeronautics and Science Administration (NASA) and other agencies, will summarize the present status of national and international climate reanalysis efforts and discuss key research findings on the strengths and limitations of the current reanalysis products for describing and analyzing the causes of climate variations and trends that have occurred during the time period of the reanalysis records (approximately the last 50 years). This information is important for policymakers in identifying and understanding the causes of remaining uncertainties and for climate program managers to develop priorities for future observing, modeling, and analysis systems required to advance national and international efforts to describe and attribute causes of observed climate variability and change.

ID: 18 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date:9/30/08 Actual: 12/11/2008
Contact Person: Linda Suttora Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 18

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 2.2 North American carbon budget and implications for the global carbon cycle

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. This report is being produced under the auspices of an interagency working group with lead agencies the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in coordination with other agencies. NOAA has the lead for IQA and FACA issues. This report will provide a synthesis and integration of the current knowledge of the North American (including land, atmosphere, and adjacent oceans) carbon budget and its context within the global carbon cycle. In a format useful to decisionmakers, it will (1) summarize our knowledge of carbon cycle properties and changes relevant to the contributions of and impacts upon the United States and the rest of the world, and (2) provide scientific information for U.S. decision support focused on key issues for carbon management and policy.

ID: 20 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/31/2007
Contact Person: Linda Suttora Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 20

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 2.4 Trends in emissions of ozone-depleting substances, ozone-layer recovery, and implications for ultraviolet radiation exposure

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. This report, produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coordination with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other agencies, will focus on updating trends of stratospheric ozone and ozone-depleting gases and improving model evaluations of the sensitivity of the ozone layer to changes in tropospheric composition and climate. This information is key to ensuring that international agreements to phase out production of ozone-depleting substances are having the expected outcome: recovery of the protective ozone layer. In addition, it has to provide information needed for U. S. decision makers in regards to any action by the Montreal Protocol parties and industry on the acceptability of substitutes.

ID: 17 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/13/2008 (Actual)
Contact Person: Linda Suttora Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 17

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 3.2 Climate projections for research and assessment based on emissions scenarios developed through the Climate Change Technology Program.

ID: 21 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/1/2008 Actual: 9/4/2008
Contact Person: Linda Suttora Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 21

Title and Description:
CCSP Product 5.3 Decision support experiments and evaluations using seasonal to interannual forecasts and observational data: A Focus on Water Resources.

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, is producing twenty-one synthesis and assessment reports that address its research, observation, and decision-support needs. This report, to be produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coordination with other federal agencies, will focus on supporting adaptive management and planning for resources and physical infrastructure affected by climate variability and change, and building new partnerships with public and private sector entities that can benefit both research and decisions. This report will support policymaking by conducting comparative analyses and evaluations of the socioeconomic and environmental consequences of response options.

ID: 26 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/17/2008 (Actual)
Contact Person: Linda Suttora Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 26

Title and Description:
United States Climate Change Science Program Scientific Assessment

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), established in 2002 to coordinate climate and global change research conducted in the United States and to support decision-making on climate-related issues, has produced a scientific assessment that analyzes past and current trends in global climate change, both human-induced and natural, and describes projections of future climate change.

ID: 102 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 5/31/2008 Actual: 5/29/2008
Contact Person: Linda Suttora Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 102

Title and Description:
Proposed Noise Exposure Criteria for Marine Mammals

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be proposing new acoustic criteria to replace current criteria to determine what constitutes an acoustic ‘take’ as defined under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. These criteria will identify exposure levels and durations that may produce temporary or permanent shifts in hearing sensitivity of marine mammals, as well as significant behavioral modification.

ID: 43 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2010
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 43

Title and Description:
United States Climate Change Science Program Unified Synthesis Product

The CCSP Unified Synthesis Product will integrate and evaluate the information contained in the U.S. Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Products in the context of other recent climate and global change scientific studies and formal assessments.

ID: 128 Info. Type: Highly Influential Scientific Assessment
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/30/2009
Contact Person: Linda Suttora Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 128

Title and Description:
2006 Observations of Deep Coral and Sponge Assemblages in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Washington

From May 23 to June 4, 2006, NOAA scientists led a research cruise using the ROPOS Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to conduct a series of dives at targeted sites in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) with the goal of documenting deep coral and sponge communities. Dive sites were selected from areas for which OCNMS had side scan sonar data indicating hard bottom. The team completed 11 dives in sanctuary waters ranging from six to 52 hours in length, at depths ranging from 100 to 650 meters, completing transect surveys at 15 study locations and observations at an additional five locations. The survey locations included sites both inside and outside the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Conservation Area established by the Pacific Fishery Management Council that went into effect on June 12, 2006. The Conservation Area in OCNMS covers 159.4 square nautical miles, or about 15 percent of the sanctuary, closing the area to bottom trawling. Several species of live corals and sponges were documented both inside and outside the Conservation Area, including numerous gorgonians and the stony corals Lophelia pertusa and Desmophyllum dianthus, as well as small patches of the reef building sponge Farrea occa. The team also documented Lophelia and Desmophyllum coral rubble, dead gorgonians, lost fishing gear, and human-caused debris, raising concerns about coral health and protection.

ID: 77 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 05/15/2007
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 77

Title and Description:
2008 Groundfish Assessment Review (GARM III)

Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan required benchmark assessments and assessment updates to be conducted during calendar year 2008 for all species included in the plan. The results are to be available for fishery managers to use in making any needed adjustments to the fishery management plan for fishing year 2009, in order to ensure sufficient progress toward rebuilding depleted stocks. This meeting will provide peer review of the benchmark assessments and assessment updates.

ID: 100 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/19/2008 Actual: 9/2/09
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 100

Title and Description:
2008 Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks)

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 22 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands region. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands region. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP plan teams and the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.

ID: 121  Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date:  12/15/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes   Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 121

Title and Description:
2008 Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports (multiple stocks)

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for over 21 species or species groups listed in the groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) for the Gulf of Alaska. Management recommendations for these living marine resources are provided by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of groundfish resources in the Gulf of Alaska. These assessments are subject to in-house review before dissemination to the FMP plan teams and the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The information is provided to the NPFMC to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries Service.

ID: 123  Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date:  12/15/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes   Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 123

Title and Description:
An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Ballast Water Exchange (BWE) in Controlling Aquatic Nonindigenous Species (ANS) in the Great Lakes Basin and Chesapeake Bay.

In the 2005 Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations (CJS) bill, Congress directed that NOAA "shall submit a report to the Committee detailing the effectiveness of ballast water exchange programs in controlling invasive species in the Great Lakes basin and the Chesapeake Bay." This report is being produced by the NOAA National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species, located at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, with support from subject matter experts from government and academia. This report will critically review what is now known about: (1) vessel traffic to the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay, focusing especially on changes that affect the supply of ballast-related propagules over time, (2) the effect of ballast water exchange on reducing the transfer of coastal organisms in ballast tanks; and (3) the effect of exchange on reducing new invasions in coastal ecosystems, with an emphasis on the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay.

ID: 25 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/3/2007
Contact Person: Linda Suttora Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 25

Title and Description:
Assessment of Loggerhead Sea Turtle Population in the Western North Atlantic

Assessment of loggerhead turtle population in North Atlantic and investigation of nest declines in the Western North Atlantic, particularly Florida.

ID: 80 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/31/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 80

Title and Description:
Atlantic Sturgeon Research Protocols

The Atlantic Sturgeon Research Protocol document was developed by a group of sturgeon experts to allow for research to be conducted on the species in a manner that minimizes the adverse impacts to the fish. Commonly used techniques and methodologies are described in the document as well as training requirements and recommendations for conducting the procedures.

ID: 114 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/31/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 114

Title and Description:
Atlantic White Marlin Status Review

The subject of the peer review is a status review report conducted for the Atlantic white marlin in response to a settlement agreement that NMFS would revisit the status of the white marlin following a 2006 stock assessment. The settlement agreement was in response to a complaint by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Turtle Island Restoration Network following the NMFS 2002 decision that white marlin did not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act. A team of federal biologists prepared the status review report. The report will be made available to the public through a published notice of availability in the Federal Register.

ID: 103 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/4/2008 Actual: 1/4/08
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 103

Title and Description:
Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports (multiple stocks) - 2007

ID: 84 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/10/2007
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 84

Title and Description:
Bering Sea Chinook Salmon Bycatch Management Environmental Impact Statement/Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Act (EIS/RIR/IRFA)

NOAA Fisheries, in consultation with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, is preparing an EIS/RIR/IRFA on Chinook salmon bycatch reduction measures in the Bering Sea, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, EO12866, and Regulatory Flexibility Act. The EIS/RIR/IRFA analyzes the impacts on the human environment of the proposed action to replace the current Chinook Salmon Savings Areas in the Bering Sea with new regulatory closures, salmon bycatch limits, or a combination of both.

ID: 118 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 118

Title and Description:
Comprehensive Passage (Compass) Model

The information product is a numerical model that estimates juvenile salmon migration timing, passage routes, and survival through the Columbia River Federal Hydropower System (FCRPS) under alternative configurations and operational scenarios and includes the latent effects of passage.

ID: 4 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 5/1/2008 Actual: 6/16/08
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 4

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

The National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) is developing reports on the status and trends of natural and archaeological resources within the marine sanctuaries as part of its System-Wide Monitoring (SWiM) Program. The initial sanctuary condition reports provide a summary of marine sanctuary resources, pressures (e.g. human impacts), the current state of the sanctuary, and responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment. The primary purpose of the documents is to report in a standardized way across all marine sanctuaries on the status and trends of water quality, habitat, living resources and maritime archaeological resources and the human activities that affect them. Resource status is rated on a scale from good to poor, and the timelines used for comparison vary from topic to topic. Trends in the status of resources are also reported, and are generally based on observed changes in status over the past five years, unless otherwise specified. Evaluations of status and trends were made by sanctuary staff, based on interpretation of quantitative and, when necessary, non-quantitative assessments and observations of scientists, managers and users. Therefore, ratings reflect the collective level of concern among participants based on their knowledge and perceptions of local problems. Reports summarizing resource status and trends will be prepared for each marine sanctuary once every five years. This information is intended to help set the stage for management plan reviews.

ID: 89 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2009
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 89

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 52 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: (revised) 3/31/2009
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 52

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 106 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: unknown, FY10
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 106

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Flower Garden Banks National Marines Sanctuary The National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) is developing reports on the status and trends of natural and archaeological resources within the marine sanctuaries as part of its System-Wide Monitoring (SWiM) Program. The initial sanctuary condition reports provide a summary of marine sanctuary resources, pressures (e.g. human impacts), the current state of the sanctuary, and responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment. The primary purpose of the documents is to report in a standardized way across all marine sanctuaries on the status and trends of water quality, habitat, living resources and maritime archaeological resources and the human activities that affect them. Resource status is rated on a scale from good to poor, and the timelines used for comparison vary from topic to topic. Trends in the status of resources are also reported, and are generally based on observed changes in status over the past five years, unless otherwise specified. Evaluations of status and trends were made by sanctuary staff, based on interpretation of quantitative and, when necessary, non-quantitative assessments and observations of scientists, managers and users. Therefore, ratings reflect the collective level of concern among participants based on their knowledge and perceptions of local problems. Reports summarizing resource status and trends will be prepared for each marine sanctuary once every five years. This information is intended to help set the stage for management plan reviews.

ID: 54 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 2/15/2008 Actual: 11/12/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 54

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 91 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/31/08 Actual: 8/20/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 91

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 90 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2009
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 90

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 108 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: unknown, FY10
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 108

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 87 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/15/2007 Actual: 05/14/2008
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 87

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 88 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2009
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 88

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 105 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2008 Actual: 9/17/08
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 105

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument

ID: 92 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/31/2009
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 92

Title and Description:
Condition Report for Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

ID: 107 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: unknown, FY10
Contact Person: Elizabeth Davenport Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 107

Title and Description:
Critical Habitat Designation for Elkhorn and Staghorn corals under the Endangered Species Act

The analysis of critical habitat for elkhorn and staghorn corals will consist of a report describing the habitat needs of the two corals. This report will contain biological assessments of elkhorn and staghorn corals’ natural histories and habitat uses to support a proposed critical habitat designation for these two corals. The economic analysis will consists of a report describing the potential economic benefits and impacts of designating critical habitat for elkhorn and staghorn corals. The report will describe the types and possible extent of impacts stemming from restrictions on economic activities from enforcement of section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the critical habitat designation of elkhorn and staghorn corals.

ID: 68 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/31/2008 Actual: 1/17/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 68

Title and Description:
Critical Habitat Designation for the U.S. Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Smalltooth Sawfish under the Endangered Species Act

The analysis of critical habitat for the U.S. DPS of smalltooth sawfish will consist of a report describing the habitat needs of the species. This report will contain a biological assessment of smalltooth sawfish natural history and habitat use to support a proposed critical habitat designation for the species. The economic analysis will consists of a report describing the potential economic benefits and impacts of designating critical habitat for the species. The report will describe the types and possible extent of impacts stemming from restrictions on economic activities from enforcement of section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the critical habitat designation of smalltooth sawfish.

ID: 101 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2008 Actual: 12/1/08
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 101

Title and Description:
Data Poor Stocks Working Group

The working group product will be a document providing: (a) proposed biological reference points (BRPs) and measurable BRP and maximum sustainable yield (MSY) proxies for five Northeast stocks/species groups (i.e., Black sea bass, Deep-sea red crab, Scup, Skates, Atlantic wolfish); (b) advice for scientific and statistical committees (SSCs) to consider when they develop fishing level recommendations for these stocks; (c) advice on what to do about species with identification problems; (d) comments on what is needed to improve the proxies and/or assessments for each species and (e) suggested methodologies for conducting future weakfish stock assessments. Although it is expected that significant uncertainties will be associated with the proposed BRPs, MSYs, and their proxies, the intention is that the recommended values will represent the best available science.

ID: 112 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/1/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 112

Title and Description:
Designation of Critical Habitat for Leatherback Sea Turtles Biological and 4(b)(2) Report

The critical habitat report is in response to a petition received October 2, 2007, from the Center for Biological Diversity, Oceana, and Turtle Island Restoration Network (Petitioners) to revise the leatherback sea turtle critical habitat designation. Current critical habitat consists of terrestrial shoreline at and waters adjacent to Sandy Point Beach, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The Petitioners seek to revise the critical habitat designation to include the area we currently manage to reduce leatherback interactions in the California/Oregon drift gillnet fishery. The Petitioners request that, if we determine some portion of the petitioned area does not meet the criteria for critical habitat, we analyze whether some subset of this area should be designated as critical habitat.

ID: 127 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/2/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 127

Title and Description:
Draft Section 7 Consultation, Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement for the following activities: State of Alaska parallel groundfish fisheries for pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel; Authorization of groundfish fisheries under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Authorization of groundfish fisheries under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

The planned dissemination of influential scientific information (ISI) is a biological analysis of the potential effects of a federally authorized activity (subject fisheries) on species (listed as endangered or threatened) and their Critical Habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA; a draft "Section 7 Consultation"). The scientific information and analysis used in this consultation may lead to proposed mitigation measures, reasonable and prudent alternatives, and other guidance which may result ultimately in "a clear and substantial impact on important public policies or private sector decisions" (the standard for determining ISI). The Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) was listed as a threatened species under the ESA on April 5, 1990 due to substantial declines in the western portion of the range. In 1997, the Steller sea lion population was split into a western distinct population segment (DPS) and an eastern DPS based on demographic and genetic dissimilarities. Due to the persistent decline, the western DPS was reclassified as endangered, while the increasing eastern DPS remained classified as threatened.

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act directs all Federal agencies to use their existing authorities to conserve threatened and endangered species and, in consultation, to ensure their actions do not jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. Section 7 applies to federal actions to regulate the various fisheries within Steller sea lion (and other listed species) habitat in the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and surrounding the Aleutian Islands (BS/GOA/AI region). A number of Section 7 consultations, both formal and informal, have been conducted on these species and fisheries, most recently an Opinion issued in 2001 and subsequently updated and supplemented in 2003. Recently (October 18, 2005) the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (Council) requested that NMFS reinitiate consultation on the 2000 Biological Opinion; the request was based on acknowledgement that a substantial amount of research has been published since 2000 on Steller sea lions and that that a new evaluation of that information would be prudent. The purpose of this proposed dissemination of ISI is to solicit a peer review on a new draft biological opinion addressing listed species which may be affected by federally authorized fisheries in the BS/GOA/AI region.

ID: 60 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/20/2010
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 60

Title and Description:
ESA Status Review of Columbia River Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus)

The NWFSC is conducting an ESA status review of Columbia River eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) at the request of the NMFS Northwest Region.

ID: 116 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/1/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 116

Title and Description:
ESA Status Review of Puget Sound Rockfish

The NWFSC is conducting an ESA status review of five species of Puget Sound rockfish at the request of the NMFS Northwest Region. The species being reviewed are: bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis), canary rockfish (S. pinniger), yelloweye rockfish (S. ruberrimus), greenstripe rockfish (S. elongatus) and redstripe rockfish (S. proriger)..

ID: 117 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 11/1/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 117

Title and Description:
Essential Fish Habitat for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species

This information product includes updates to Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS). The information is needed to consider alternatives for different EFH identifications and descriptions, analyze fishing and non-fishing impacts on any resulting changes to EFH, and consider measures to minimize any adverse fishing and non-fishing impacts on the revised EFH. EFH for Atlantic HMS was originally identified and described in the 1999 Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, and in the 1999 Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Billfish FMP. As part of the 5-year review and update required by the EFH regulatory guidelines, NMFS reviewed all new and existing EFH data in the Consolidated HMS FMP and determined that changes to existing EFH may be warranted. This rulemaking would constitute the second phase of the 5-year review and update by potentially modifying some of the existing EFH.

ID: 110 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 110

Title and Description:
Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports (multiple stocks) - 2007

ID: 85 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/10/2007
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 85

Title and Description:
Impacts of Potential Increases in Hawaii Shallow-set Swordfish Longline Effort on Sea Turtle Populations

In response to a proposal from the Hawaii Longline Association, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has recommended an amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region, calling for an expansion of the Hawaii-based shallow-set longline fishery with anticipated increases in takes of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles. This action reinitiated a formal consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the issuing of a Biological Opinion by NMFS, including an incidental take statement allowing takes of sea turtles that, in the opinion of NMFS, would not jeopardize these sea turtle populations. The document to be reviewed under this peer-review plan, ‘Assessment of the population-level impacts of potential increases in marine turtle interactions resulting from a Hawaii longline Association proposal to expand the Hawaii-based shallow set fishery’, was authored by Dr. Melissa Snover of PIFSC and issued in June 2008 as a PIFSC Internal Report (IR-08-010). It is part of the Biological Assessment used by NMFS to prepare the Biological Opinion and establish the incidental take levels. Although the method of determining quasi-extinction risk used in Snover’s assessment has received full peer review (Snover, M.L., and S.S. Heppell. In press. Application of diffusion approximation for risk assessment of sea turtle populations. Ecological Applications), application of the method to determine take levels for a protected marine turtle population has not received such scrutiny. That is the purpose of the current review.

ID: 132 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/15/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 132

Title and Description:
NMFS draft Biological Opinion Central Valley Water Operations (OCAP)

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare a biological opinion on Federal actions that are likely to adversely affect a threatened or endangered species or adversely affect their designated critical habitat. A new biological opinion is being prepared on Federal and state water operations that deliver water to over 20 million people in southern California and irrigate millions of acres of highly productive agricultural land throughout California’s Central Valley. These actions and related water pumping harm Chinook salmon, steelhead, and green sturgeon which are listed as threatened or endangered. Because of competing demands for a limited water supply and procedural complexities that surround implementing the ESA, NMFS’s 2004 biological opinion (on this same action) was, and continues to be, controversial. Issues involving water supply and reliability, and how to address those in light of imperiled species have only grown since 2004 as new information emerges on climate and ecological changes in the project area. The new biological opinion will likely remain a topic of national interest and the need for highly qualified peer reviewers will be critical to address the anticipated scientific scrutiny this action will receive.

ID: 96 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/2/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 96

Title and Description:
NMFS draft Biological Opinion on the Klamath River Water Operations

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare a biological opinion on any Federal action that is likely to adversely affect a threatened or endangered species or adversely affect their designated critical habitat. A new biological opinion is being prepared on a Federally approved project that delivers irrigation water to agricultural uses in the Klamath River Basin. The Federal project is “likely to adversely affect” southern Oregon/northern California coho salmon, listed as threatened under the ESA.

Competing uses for Klamath River water have not yet achieved a durable balance among power generation, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and long-term conservation of imperiled species. In July 2007, the US House Subcommittee on Natural Resources held a hearing in Washington, DC on the Klamath River basin, investigating allegations about whether the Administration acting through NMFS and US Fish and Wildlife Service used sound science in their 2002 biological opinions. The NMFS new, 2008 biological opinion would likely revisit ongoing debates over water allocation and timing for fish and agriculture uses.

High levels of scrutiny are expected to continue and NMFS’s new draft biological opinion will be critically reviewed by a multitude of interested parties who have a direct stake in the future of Klamath River water and fish. The new biological opinion will likely remain a topic of national interest and the need for highly qualified peer reviewers will be critical to address the anticipated scientific scrutiny this action will receive.

ID: 97 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/24/2008 Actual: 5/28/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 97

Title and Description:
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) Lobster Stock Assessment Model Development

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) is advancing current assessment methodologies for Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) lobster populations by developing new spatially-structured stock assessment models. The development of spatially structured models for NWHI lobsters was recommended by an expert workshop in 2002 that reviewed current assessment techniques, available data, and management needs. The report to be produced and disseminated by the PIFSC, prepared in collaboration with academic scientists, will describe the structure and performance of a new spatially structured assessment model for NHWI lobsters and apply it to assess the current status of lobster populations in the NWHI. The new model incorporating metapopulation dynamics was initially developed in 2004 and further extended in 2006. A report of the extended model is being drafted and will be submitted for peer-review in March 2008. The expected date for dissemination of the final report including responses to reviewer comments is October 2008. The purpose of the modeling research is to improve tools for assessing NWHI lobster as a component of the NWHI ecosystem and advance long-term ecosystem monitoring. The model will help inform and guide decision-making by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, NMFS, and other partners responsible for conservation and management of lobster resources and insular ecosystems across the Pacific Islands Region.

ID: 7 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/1/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 7

Title and Description:
Pacific Coast Black Rockfish and Blue Rockfish Stock Assessments

The assessments will report the status of black rockfish along the west coast and blue rockfish off the California coast. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts who serve as a peer-review panel for one or more stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.

ID: 69 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/10/2007
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 69

Title and Description:
Pacific Coast Bocaccio and Widow Rockfish Stock Assessments

The assessments will report the status of bocaccio and widow rockfish. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

ID: 131 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/12/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 131

Title and Description:
Pacific Coast Greenstriped Rockfish and Yelloweye Rockfish Stock Assessments

The assessments will report the status of greenstriped rockfish and yelloweye rockfish . Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

ID: 137 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/12/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 137

Title and Description:
Pacific Coast Lingcod and Cabezon Stock Assessments

The assessments will report the status of lingcod and cabezon. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

ID: 133 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/12/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 133

Title and Description:
Pacific Coast Splitnose Rockfish and Petrale Sole Stock Assessments

The assessments will report the status of splitnose rockfish and petrale sole. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resources relative to current definitions for overfished status, summaries of available data included in the models, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

ID: 136 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/6/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 136

Title and Description:
Proposed Critical Habitat Designation for the Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the North American Green Sturgeon

The draft critical habitat designation for the Southern DPS of green sturgeon is based upon drafts of a Critical Habitat Analytical Review Team (CHART) Report, an ESA 4(b)2 Report, an Economic Impact Report, and a Regulatory Flexibility Report. These reports provide the basis for determining what areas should be considered for critical habitat designation under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

ID: 109 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/09
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 109

Title and Description:
Recovery Plan for the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)

The Kemp’s ridley has been protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) since 1970, and its conservation and recovery are the joint responsibility of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (collectively the Services). Over the last 30 years, numerous research projects have been undertaken, conservation measures implemented, and other measures taken to conserve the species and protect its habitat. Since 1922, Mexico has promulgated regulations to protect marine turtles and, beginning in the 1960's, initiated research and conservation programs specifically for the Kemp’s ridley. In 1977, Rancho Nuevo - the primary nesting beach for the species - was established by Mexico as a "Natural Reserve for the Kemp’s Ridley." In 1984, NMFS and USFWS issued a multi-species recovery plan for listed sea turtles in the southeast U.S. region. This plan was revisited in the early 1990's culminating in an individual species recovery plan for the Kemp’s ridley in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico in 1992. Although much is being done to conserve Kemp’s ridley, a comprehensive revision of the current recovery plan is needed to incorporate an abundance of new information on the biology and population status of the species and to provide an updated framework for addressing problems across the entire range of the species (among all of the activities that threaten the species) and for prioritizing actions necessary for their recovery.

ID: 125 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 10/8/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 125

Title and Description:
Required Survival Rate Changes to Meet Technical Recovery Team Abundance and Productivity Viability Criteria for Interior Columbia ESA-Listed Pacific Salmon Populations

The report will consist of a technical report describing, for many populations in the Interior Columbia River Basin, the difference ("gap") between the population’s current survival rates and the survival rate needed to achieve a biological status consistent with Endangered Species Act (ESA) delisting goals. The report will play a role in recovery planning for ESA-listed Pacific salmon populations and ongoing discussions and planning for the operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS). Although many factors and analyses are expected to influence development of ESA recovery plans for Pacific salmon and planning for operation of the FCRPS, this report will quantify the survival "gap" that would need to be filled in order to meet the Technical Recovery Team's recommended viability criteria for ESA-listed salmon stocks in the interior Columbia River Basin.

ID: 58 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/1/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 58

Title and Description:
SEDAR 15, South Atlantic Red Snapper and Greater Amberjack
Title was Previously: Benchmark Stock Assessment for South Atlantic Greater Amberjack, Red Snapper, and South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Mutton Snapper

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (South Atlantic greater amberjack, South Atlantic red snapper, South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico mutton snapper) relative to current definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management council (South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean) to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.

ID: 79 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/28/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 79

Title and Description:
SEDAR 16, South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico King Mackerel

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico king mackerel) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management council (South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean) to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries.

ID: 93 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/19/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 93

Title and Description:
SEDAR 17, South Atlantic Vermillion Snapper and Spanish Mackerel

This information product is a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource stocks (South Atlantic vermilion snapper and Spanish mackerel) relative to definitions for overfishing and overfished status. The information includes impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, estimates of management benchmarks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the appropriate regional fishery management council (South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean) to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service.

ID: 94 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/1/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 94

Title and Description:
Shortnose Sturgeon Status Review Report

The subject of this peer review is a status review report for shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) that is being prepared for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) by a team of Federal and state biologists. The final report will be made available to the public through a published notice of availability in the Federal Register and will also be submitted for publication to the NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS series.

ID: 115 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 9/30/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 115

Title and Description:
State of the Climate in 2007

The State of the Climate Report is a 130+ page summary of weather and climate conditions of the past year. Working with contributing authors from more than 30 countries around the world, this report places today’s climate in historical context and provides perspectives on the extent to which the climate system varies and changes as well as the effect that climate is having on societies and the environment.

ID: 86 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 6/30/2008 Actual: 8/04/2008
Contact Person: Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 86

Title and Description:
State of the Climate in 2008

The State of the Climate Report is a 150+ page summary of weather and climate conditions of the past year. Working with contributing authors from more than 50 countries around the world, this report places today’s climate in historical context and provides perspectives on the extent to which the climate system varies and changes as well as the effect that climate is having on societies and the environment.

ID: 129 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/30/2009
Contact Person: Peter Grimm Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 129

Title and Description:
Status Review and Extinction Assessment of Cook Inlet Belugas (November 2006) and Assessment Models

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is responsible for stock assessments for Cook Inlet beluga whales. The report produced and disseminated by the AFSC describes the condition and current status of belugas in Cook Inlet, Alaska. This assessment is subject to in-house review and review by a panel from the Center for Independent Experts (CIE). The information will be is provided to the NMFS Alaska Regional Office to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through the National Marine Fisheries Service.

ID: 122  Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date:  3/31/2008 Actual: 4/8/08
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes   Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 122

Title and Description:
Status Review for Black Abalone

The draft status review report for black abalone is a comprehensive assessment of black abalone’s biological status and its threats. The draft status review report provides the basis for determining whether black abalone warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

ID: 104 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/11/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 104

Title and Description:
Status Review of the Bearded, Ringed, and Spotted Seals

Review of biological status of these populations

ID: 130 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 5/31/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 130

Title and Description:
Status Review Report for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The review responds to the recommendation in the 2007 Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/species/loggerhead_5yearreview.pdf) to fully assemble and analyze all relevant information in accordance with the distinct population segment policy (DPS). We stated new information indicated a possible separation of populations by ocean basins; however, a more in-depth analysis was needed to determine the application of the DPS policy. The review also responds to two petitions. On July 16, 2007, NMFS and FWS received a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and Turtle Island Restoration Network, requesting that the loggerhead in the North Pacific be reclassified as a DPS with endangered status and that critical habitat be designated. On November 16, 2007, NMFS and FWS received a petition from CBD and Oceana requesting that loggerhead turtles in the western North Atlantic Ocean be reclassified as a DPS with endangered status and that critical habitat be designated.

NMFS and FWS determined that the July 16, 2007, North Pacific petition and the November 16, 2007, North Atlantic petition presented substantial information that the petitioned actions may be warranted and published the findings in the Federal Register (72 FR 64585, November 16, 2007; 73 FR 11849, March 5, 2008).

ID: 126 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 7/16/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 126

Title and Description:
Status Review of Southeast Alaska Pacific Herring
Title was previously: Status Review of Lynn Canal Pacific Herring

The Region is conducting a status review of Southeast Alaska herring population as a follow up to a petition to list the population as a threatened or endangered Distinct Population Segment under the ESA. The product that is subject to peer review is the Status Review Report, upon which our listing decision for the Southeast Alaska population will be based.

ID: 119 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/31/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 119

Title and Description:
Status Review of the Ribbon Seal

Review of biological status of this population.

ID: 120 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 12/31/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 120

Title and Description:
Stock Assessment of Pacific Hake / Whiting in U.S. and Canadian Waters - 2008

This assessment reports the status of the coastal Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) resource off the west coast of the United States and Canada. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts who serve as a peer-review panel for the Pacific hake / whiting stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.

ID: 95 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/9/2008 Actual: 3/9/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 95

Title and Description:
Stock Assessment of Pacific Hake / Whiting in U.S. and Canadian Waters - 2009

This assessment reports the status of the coastal Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) resource off the west coast of the United States and Canada using an age-structured Stock Synthesis population model. Specifically, the information includes a determination of the condition and status of the fishery resource relative to current definitions for overfished status, a summary of available data included in the model, impacts of various management scenarios on the status of the stocks, and recovery trajectories for those stocks determined to be overfished. The information is provided to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to be used as the basis of their management decisions, which are subsequently approved and disseminated by the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA and NMFS.

The Stock Assessment Review (STAR) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts from the US and Canada who serve as a peer-review panel for the Pacific hake / whiting stock assessments. The STAR process is a key element in an overall process designed to make timely use of new fishery and survey data, to analyze and understand these data as completely as possible, to provide opportunity for public comment, and to assure the best available science is used to inform management decisions.

ID: 135 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 3/8/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 135

Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, Striped bass

The Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC) meeting is a formal, public, multiple-day meeting of stock assessment experts who serve as a peer-review panel for several tabled stock assessments. These assessments evaluate the status of important fishery stocks, taking into account natural variations in population growth as well as the intensity and history of commercial harvesting. The SARC is an important part of the Northeast Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) process, which includes peer assessment development (SAW Working Groups or Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) technical committees), assessment peer review, public presentations, and document publication. This process has been in place since 1985, and has been successful in providing a forum for preparing, peer reviewing and reporting on stock assessments in the northeast region. Over 40 fishery stocks are managed in this region. The Northeast SAW is the oldest such assessment peer review process in the United States and has been used as a model in developing similar protocols around the US and in Europe.

As currently constituted, the Stock Assessment Workshop has three parts: 1) SAW working group meetings where the assessments are developed (or ASMFS technical/stock assessment groups when stock assessments are prepared by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission); 2) a high-quality peer review of the SAW Working/Technical group assessments by an independent panel of assessment/management experts, known as the Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC); and 3) presentation of results/reports from the SARC meeting to the Fishery Management Councils and ASMFC. The entire SAW process occurs twice per year.

The Plan Development Teams (PDTs) and Technical Committees of the Fishery Management Councils use the Stock Assessment Reports and the peer reviewers' reports (from the SARC), to develop management advice for the Fishery Management Councils that is consistent with existing fishery management plans.

ID: 99 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 1/7/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 99

Title and Description:
Stock Assessments of Fish and Invertebrates from the Northeast Coast of the United States, specifically, summer flounder

ID: 98 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/15/2008 Actual: 8/5/2008
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 98

Title and Description:
U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessment (2009)

Section 117 of the U. S. Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), as Amended through 1997, requires that a stock assessment be prepared for each marine mammal stock that occurs in waters under USA jurisdiction in consultation with regional Scientific Review Groups (SRGs). The SRGs consist of individuals with expertise in marine mammal biology and ecology, population dynamics and modeling, and commercial fishing technology and practices and are mandated to review the marine mammal stock assessments and provide advice to the Secretary of Commerce. Use of these experts enables NOAA to obtain the best available scientific information for these stock assessments. The reports are then made available on the Federal Register for public review and comment before final publication.

The MMPA also requires that stock assessments be updated at least annually for stocks specified as strategic stocks, or for which significant new information is available, and at least once every three years for non-strategic stocks. In these documents, major revisions and updating of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico SARs are completed for approximately ten strategic stocks and for upwards to 50 nonstrategic stocks.

ID: 134 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/17/2010
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 134

Title and Description:
U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessment (2008)

ID: 111 Info. Type: Influential Scientific Information
Estimated Dissemination Date: 4/17/2009
Contact Person: Rebecca Rootes Get contact information
Peer Review Plan for this Item: ID 111

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Peer Review Plans

Office of the Chief Information Officer &
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