Working Group on Biological Parameters (WGBIOP; outputs from 2024 meeting)

The Working Group on Biological Parameters (WGBIOP) focuses on reviewing the status, issues, developments, and quality assurance of biological parameters used in stock assessments. In 2024, the WGBIOP subgroups on:

ToR a addressed age-related stock issues for benchmarks scheduled for 2025 and beyond, updated the “WK, Ex, sg History Master Table,” reported on 2023–2024 workshops, followed up on delayed exchanges, prioritized species for validation studies, proposed exchanges for 2025 and beyond, and planned workshop coordination for results in 2025/2026.

ToR b clarified SMSF maturity scale misinterpretations, refined substage definitions, and emphasized stock-specific reproductive strategies. WGBIOP advocated histology and alternative methods, standardized protocols, and enhanced collaboration through national coordinators. Nine steps were proposed for standardization, addressing data gaps, costs, AI applications, and training to improve biological data quality and maturity assessments.

ToR c compiled key ICES WG contact points for emerging methods and created a dynamic document for tracking emerging methods. Standardization needs and recommendations were discussed, and opportunities for transnational infrastructure funding were emphasized. Additionally, a dedicated ICES workshop was planned to coincide with the WGBIOP 2025 meeting.

To enhance communication with stock assessment EGs, ToR d proposed updates to presentations, planned a November 2024 SID meeting to improve its database, reviewed SmartDots reporting, and drafted a workshop resolution for integrating age errors in stock assessments. Test cases and sampling design are being developed, with cross-group work addressing reference collections and insights into age errors.

ToR e reviewed extensive research highlighting the links between environmental conditions and biological responses in various species and regions. Cases where additional biological or life-history parameters were used to improve the understanding of stock health were compiled. Options were assessed for presenting supplementary biological parameters alongside standard stock assessment output to support ecosystem-based fisheries advice. The accessibility and quality assurance of additional biological parameters were evaluated, including the feasibility of creating time-series. Finally, potential environmental data sources and relevant datasets for integration into stock assessments were identified.

ToR f reached a consensus on defining two types of reference collections: Training Reference Collections (TRC) for training and self-testing, and Control Reference Collections (CRC) for consistency testing. Overviews of historical CRC and high-consensus SmartDots TRC samples were compiled to support the standardization and testing of age interpretation.