Knowledge of fish age characteristics is necessary for stock assessments, and to develop management or conservation plans.

A stock assessment of the species, which incorporated data gathered from northern California and Oregon, was done in 2001.

The maturation age used in stock assessments ranges from 23-40 years, which limits population growth/recovery, because each new generation takes so long to start spawning.

It will be a strategy as well as a review of data requirements so that we can improve our stock assessment.

Biological and fisheries data are collected in a stock assessment.

The mathematical and statistical techniques used to complete a stock assessment are referred to as assessment models.

After a stock assessment is completed, the findings are provided to regional fishery management councils.

The capability of these tags to recover useful data is improving, and their use should result in more accurate stock assessments.

I would urge the Commission to take on board the fact that we need a new approach to stock assessment and quota setting.

These activities include the collection of basic data for stock assessments, which have so far been funded through the Structural Funds.