When these four items are considered 

 together, it appears logical that a program 

 should be undertaken to improve the stock 

 assessment data which will be used. Such a 

 program could include the following steps: 



7. Test the validity of existing assessment methods 

 during a chosen restoration period 



During this period, fishing pressure on 

 some stocks should be reduced drastically. 

 Estimates of yields should be on the low side; 

 then if they are incorrect, the major conse- 

 quences are that stocks will recover more 

 rapidly while some economic opportunity is 

 delayed. 



During this restoration period, time-series 

 of data could be developed through accurate 

 catch and effort figures gained via the use of 

 observers on foreign fishing vessels and a 

 strict enforcement system. In addition, 

 automatic plankton sorting and fish-aging 

 techniques could be developed along with 

 design and development of hydroacoustics, 

 expanded survey cruises for several well- 

 known stocks, and use of improved research 

 vessels for survey dependability. 



The accuracy of existing assessment 

 methods could also be evaluated under this 

 program to determine the degree of utility the 

 information gained has for management deci- 

 sions. 



2. While assessing existing methodology, establish 

 research priorities for the future 



During the restoration period, the level of 

 accuracy required for assessments under 

 different management goals could be 

 established. For each chosen goal (for exam- 

 ple, "catch the last ton," "resource revitaliza- 

 tion," "maximum yield for today," "max- 

 imum yield for the future," etc.), the key in- 

 dicators that will be required to achieve the 

 determined level of precision could be out- 

 lined. Then, for each level of precision and 

 those indicators that achieve that precision the 

 following items could be determined: 



• the probable cost; 



. the time necessary to provide useful 

 results; and 



. the relationship of each variable to 

 assessment accuracy under the existing 

 system. 



3. Design a program strategy 



As the existing accuracy of assessment is 

 determined, and as differing management 

 goals have been chosen with regard to re- 

 quired level of accuracy, costs, time needs, and 

 level of increased utility with regard to exist- 

 ing methods, the following program strategy 

 could be established: 



• a listing of information needs, their 

 utility, and their cost; 



. the precision of information necessary to 

 achieve various management goals; and 



• choices for a cost-effective and useful 

 assessment research program. 



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