In January of 2013, NOAA Fisheries initiated a standardized five-year cycle to peer review science conducted by each of the six science centers and the headquarters Office of Science and Technology. Each year will have a specific thematic focus with this year's focus on the data collection and management programs that support stock assessments for fish stocks managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. SWFSC invited experts from both inside and outside the federal government to hear about data used in assessments of fish stocks under the remit of the Center, including those for highly migratory species and coastal pelagic species. This was an opportunity to showcase the strides we have made in our data management and to receive guidance to help us continue to improve our systems to offer the greatest utility and transparency possible.
More information can be found at: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/science-program-review/