04-18-2011, 05:56 PM
Bryan,
The data used by the Council and NOAA Fisheries is professional scientific data. It is however, very highly criticized, not because it is bad or slanted, but because it is often very limited. The Council is mandated by congressional law to use the "best available scientific data," to estimate the number of fish in the Gulf. To obtain that "best available" a species is chosen, every scientists (not just government employees but also university researchers, independent scientists, etc) and every paper published on the species of interest is gathered to compile as much information as possible on that species. They use the data they have to make an estimation which is then sent out nationally and internationally to be reviewed by other scientists. Once everyone agrees that the information used could provide the estimate made the Council can then deem it the best available and use it in making management decisions.
But, in the case of amberjack here in the Gulf sometimes the "best available science" still isn't considered good enough for management decisions.
Like I said in the beginning of this post, the science is very highly criticized. There is often a lack of good- comprehensive data because fish are hard to study!
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The data used by the Council and NOAA Fisheries is professional scientific data. It is however, very highly criticized, not because it is bad or slanted, but because it is often very limited. The Council is mandated by congressional law to use the "best available scientific data," to estimate the number of fish in the Gulf. To obtain that "best available" a species is chosen, every scientists (not just government employees but also university researchers, independent scientists, etc) and every paper published on the species of interest is gathered to compile as much information as possible on that species. They use the data they have to make an estimation which is then sent out nationally and internationally to be reviewed by other scientists. Once everyone agrees that the information used could provide the estimate made the Council can then deem it the best available and use it in making management decisions.
But, in the case of amberjack here in the Gulf sometimes the "best available science" still isn't considered good enough for management decisions.
Like I said in the beginning of this post, the science is very highly criticized. There is often a lack of good- comprehensive data because fish are hard to study!
[signature]