Fisheries Biology and Stock Assessment Branch

Fisheries Biology and Stock Assessment studies are based on biological observations collected in field surveys with a variety of sampling gears, laboratory studies of biological specimens, and data from tag and recapture experiments (conventional, archival, and pop-up archival tags are all utilized). We provide the fundamental biological and ecological research on Federally managed species to allow for improved understanding of the mechanisms that influence resource distribution and abundance.

• Age and growth
• Tagging (Satellite pop-up archival tags, archival tags, and conventional tags)
• Diet and food web modeling
• Reproduction and fecundity
• Essential Fish Habitat needs and threats

We study a variety of species including tunas, swordfish, billfish, mahimahi (dolphin fish), sharks, bottomfish, and crustaceans.