2018 Discard Estimation, Precision, and Sample Size Analyses for 14 Federally Managed Species Groups in the Waters off the Northeastern United States

This report describes the analyses associated with the discard estimation of 14 federally managed fish and invertebrate species groups during the July 2016 through June 2017 time period and the expected coverage needed by at-sea observers for northeastern US fisheries for the April 2018 through March 2019 time period using the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology. It covers discard estimates for the 14 species groups associated with New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) federal fishery management plans (FMPs) in northeastern US fleets. Additionally, discard reasons associated with the discarded species are summarized. This document differs from SBRM documents prior to 2012 in that this document does not include a sea day prioritization and does not contain information about sea turtles. 2018 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) NEFSC (Northeast Fisheries Science Center) Submitted https://doi.org/10.25923/94ee-qx56 Public Domain 1864