Improving the Use of the "Best Scientific Information Available" Standard in Fisheries Management (2004) / Chapter Skim
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3 Characterizing “Best Scientific Information Available”
3 Characterizing “Best Scientific Information Available”
Pages 41-50
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From page 41... ...
In so doing, common themes and areas of disagreement have been examined to help develop the types of criteria that could be used to evaluate the scientific information provided to decision makers. At its core, National Standard 2 affirms the role of scientific information in fisheries management.
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From page 42... ...
In these fields, much scientific information is derived from careful observation and analysis of empirical data. For each approach to scientific inquiry, potential sources of error or bias in either data collection or analysis may be identified through peer review.
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From page 43... ...
on their treatment of scientific information will help improve outside perceptions of how the agency conducts its scientific work.
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From page 44... ...
to convene a panel of experts to provide advice on the clarification of "best scientific information available" as specified in National Standard 2 and the application of this standard to fisheries management. CORE held a workshop in Washington, D.C., on February 18, 2000, to address this question.
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From page 45... ...
This could easily delay action necessary to protect living marine resources. NOAA FISHERIES ORGANIZED DECISION PROCESS NOAA Fisheries has published regulations for evaluating scientific information pursuant to its authority to define "dolphin-safe tuna" under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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From page 46... ...
Participants examined recent litigation and related agency actions regarding the application of the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act to marine fisheries that are carried out in or near endangered wildlife habitat. The workshop highlighted many of the difficulties in interpreting "best scientific information available." First, the goals of legislation (e.g., the Endangered Species Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act)
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From page 47... ...
They are similar to the criteria for best scientific information identified in the CORE report and the NOAA Fisheries guidelines for the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans goals are relevance, quality, inclusiveness, consistency, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness.
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From page 48... ...
For example, early issue identification necessitates improving communication among decision makers and the scientific community to ensure that the agency collects the appropriate information to address emerging issues. Although this principle is not discussed explicitly with regard to "best scientific information available" as used in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, it does embody the goal of timeliness.
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From page 49... ...
482) There is a basis for concern that the term "best scientific information available" is too vague to provide sufficient guidance to NOAA Fisheries and the regional fishery management councils on the preparation and application of scientific information.
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