The Guidelines for Fishery Management Plans (602 Guidelines) published by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) require that a stock assessment and fishery evaluation (SAFE) report be prepared and reviewed annually for each fishery management plan (FMP). Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Reports
The Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports for the groundfish fisheries managed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) are compiled by the respective Plan Teams from chapters contributed by scientists at NMFS’ Alaska Fisheries Science Center & and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). These SAFE reports include separate stock assessment and fishery evaluation sections. The stock assessment section includes recommended acceptable biological catch (ABC) levels for each stock and stock complex managed under the FMP. The ABC recommendations, together with social and economic factors, are considered by the Council in determining total allowable catches (TACs) and other management strategies for the fisheries.
Terms of Reference for Groundfish Plan Teams; External review guidelines for Scallop, Crab, Groundfish 6/07
