Addressing Uncertainty in Fisheries Science and Management - Overview

This presentation will provide an overview of Addressing Uncertainty in Fisheries Science and Management (2014, aqua.org/fisheries), a recently completed project undertaken to advance best practices for addressing the impact of science and management uncertainty on fisheries management systems. The project engaged a panel of experts and the work was facilitated through the examination of a series of case studies and identification of findings, recommendations and best practices.  The project used structured approaches to assess how uncertainty is evaluated, reduced, and managed for in fisheries science and management. The Panel focused on science and management approaches separately, but also probed the implications of work that takes place at the interface of these two fields.  The Panel and the report included particular focus on challenges of managing fisheries in the context of environmental change.  The Panel identified opportunities to expand and better integrate oceanographic and ecosystem science into single species stock assessments, and better anticipate and prepare for environmental shifts.  This presentation will provide a report overview, setting the stage for more focused presentations on different aspects of the subject matter to be provided by invited and selected speakers.