Yellowtail flounder research track assessment report

The Northeast Region Coordinating Council (NRCC) has developed an enhanced stock assessment process to improve the quality of assessments. The process involves two tracks of assessment work: 1) a Management Track (MT) that includes routine updates of previously approved assessment methods to support regular management actions (e.g., annual catch limits), and 2) a Research Track (RT) that allows comprehensive research and development of improved assessments on a stock-by-stock or topical basis. The RT assessment process allows for a more thorough review of information available and for the evaluation of different assessment approaches than would be possible in a standard stock assessment process where the results are immediately needed for management advice. RT assessments are normally followed by a MT assessment and there is the possibility of improving the RT assessment before the MT. This Panel reviewed the Research Track Assessment for the three Yellowtail Flounder stocks, Cape Cod-Gulf of Maine (CCGOM) stock, Georges Bank (GB) stock, and Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic (SNEMA) stock.