Technical Guidance for Estimating Reference Points used for Stock Status Determination in Accordance with the National Standard 1 Guidelines

Over the past 27 years, there has been substantial research on the scientific basis for reference points and their expected performance in the management of sustainable fisheries, and significant experience gained from stock monitoring and stock assessment implementation. The field has seen the: Methods for Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) maturing to provide a better understanding of the potential performance of and challenges with reference points and control rules. Evolution of integrated analysis assessment methods to simultaneously utilize a diversity of data types and statistical methods. Development of methods to provide advice for data-limited stocks. Movement toward Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management (NOAA Fisheries, 2016). Investigation of changes in productivity due to regime shifts in the ecosystem and environment. This document updates technical guidance for the calculation and application of reference points for status determinations.