The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled a three-day workshop next month for the public to observe the peer review process of the blue crab stock assessment.
Officials said that allowing the public to view the independent reviewers allows for improved understanding of fisheries stock assessments.
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The workshop is set for 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Nov. 3-4 and 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 5 at Craven Community College, room CTC 118 DE, 800 College Court in New Bern, and by Webex. Comments and questions will be accepted by members of the public from 5-5:30 p.m. on the first two days of the workshop.
Registration is required to attend the workshop online for each day. Register at the following links:
A stock assessment measures the health and abundance of a population of species by analyzing information gathered from commercial and recreational fisheries, data from scientific sampling and observations, and fish or shellfish biology.
Fisheries stock assessments are peer reviewed by scientists who have not been involved in or contributed input into the development of the stock assessment and who do not have a stake in the outcome.
In a peer review, independent scientists evaluate the validity of data used, the appropriateness of the assessment model used, and the rationale of assumptions made to determine if the science conducted is adequate for use in fisheries management.
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