Dan Hull, Chairman
Chris Oliver, Executive Director
SUBJECT: title
Five-Year Research Priorities - Finalize priorities
end
STAFF CONTACT: Jim Armstrong
ACTION REQUIRED: recommended action
Review and recommend Research Priorities for 2018-2022.
BACKGROUND:
The Magnuson-Stevens Act (? 302) requires that Councils update five-year research priorities on an as-needed basis:
"Each Council shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Act -
(7) develop, in conjunction with the scientific and statistical committee, multi-year research priorities for fisheries, fisheries interactions, habitats, and other areas of research that are necessary for management purposes, that shall-
(A) establish priorities for 5-year periods;
(B) be updated as necessary; and
(C) be submitted to the Secretary and the regional science centers of the National Marine Fisheries Service for their consideration in developing research priorities and budgets for the region of the Council; . . . ."
In order to comply with this statutory requirement, it has been the practice of this Council, following consultation with its SSC and Plan Teams, to review research priorities and communicate its research recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce on an annual basis. Accordingly, the Council conducted its most recent five-year research review in June 2016. At this meeting, the SSC and Council will update priority categories associated with existing research issues and identify any new research needed for the upcoming five-year period (2018-2022).
In accordance with Council procedures, the Council's Plan Teams (Joint Groundfish, Crab, and Scallop) have each reviewed the existing priorities and have made suggestions for modifications and additions. The list of existing research priorities, annotated with Plan Team recommendations, is attached. Staff will review priorities with the SSC, AP, and Council in a summary fashion in order to facilitate discussion relevant to recommendations ...
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