43rd Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (43rd SAW): 43rd SAW Assessment Summary Report

"The 43rd SAW Assessment Summary Report contains summary and detailed technical information on three assessments reviewed in June 2006 at the Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) by the 43rd Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC-43): spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), black sea bass (Centropristis striata), and deep sea red crab (Chaceon quinquedens). An ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) assessment was also reviewed, but it was withdrawn because it did not include all available data and a formula used in the assessment was used incorrectly. The decision by the NEFSC to withdraw the ocean quahog assessment was made before the SARC-43 reviews were available, and this decision was approved by the Northeast Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC). The SARC-43 consisted of two external, independent reviewers and an external SARC chairman, all appointed by the Center for Independent Experts (CIE). The SARC evaluated whether each Term of Reference (listed in the Appendix) was completed successfully based on scientific criteria and whether the work provided a scientifically credible basis for developing fishery management advice"--Introduction.