Recent Collaborations and Data Synthesis in Preparation for the 2016 Assessment of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Despite the international importance of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, stock assessments conducted at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas have yet to formally incorporate much of the substantial volume of recent scientific research devoted to the species. Recent international collaborations have dramatically improved the information available for the 2016 stock assessment. Collaborative aging and otolith microconstituent-based stock identification now provide age-length-stock keys that greatly improve catch at age estimation and potential segregation of Eastern versus Western origin fish in mixed stock fisheries. Development of multi-fleet abundance indices has broadened spatial and temporal coverage resulting in indices that are more robust to changes in spatial distribution and changes in fishing strategy. Lastly, investment in electronic and conventional tagging now provides the potential to inform species migration rates and populate stock mixing models.  Each of these analyses represents a considerable scientific advancement for stock assessment.  The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the progress made though multinational collaboration and to spark further collaboration and data sharing amongst researchers studying Atlantic Bluefin Tuna with the overall goal of producing the most informed assessment of the stock and improved management advice.