Progress and Challenges in Implementing Ecosystem Drivers of Recruitment in the West Coast Sablefish Stock Assessment

U.S. West Coast sablefish is one of the most commercially valuable species targeted by the groundfish fishery. Research on ecosystem drivers of sablefish recruitment has a long history, the results of which have been a topic of ongoing debates during the scientific review of stock assessment products for management. This review extends from the published peer review literature on the topic to the most recent implementation of the sablefish stock assessment accepted for management by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. We discuss technical and implementation challenges, as well as lessons learned along the way.