The collapse of cod, flounder, and haddock fish stocks in the Northeast United States has caused widespread concern among managers and fishers in the United States and Canada. The diminishing stocks have forced managers to take strict regulatory measures. Numerous questions have been raised about the adequacy of stock assessment science used to evaluate the status of these stocks and the appropriateness of the management measures taken. Based on these concerns, Congress mandated that a scientific review of the methodology and data used to evaluate these stocks be conducted. In this volume, the committee concludes that although there are improvements to be made in data collection, modeling uncertainty, and communicating between fishers, managers, and scientists, the scientific methods used in the Northeast stock assessments are sound. Recommendations are made on how the stock assessment process can be improved.

"The 56th SAW Assessment Summary Report contains summary and detailed technical information on two stock assessments reviewed during February 19-22, 2013 at the Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) by the 56th Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC-56): Atlantic surfclam ( Spisula solidissima ) and white hake (Urophycis tenuis ). The SARC-56 consisted of 3 external, independent reviewers appointed by the Center for Independent Experts [CIE], and an external SARC chairman from the MAFMC SSC. The SARC evaluated whether each Term of Reference (listed in the Appendix) was completed successfully based on whether the work provided a scientifically credible basis for developing fishery management advice. The reviewers' reports for SAW/SARC-56 are available at website: http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/saw/ under the heading 'SARC 56 Panelist Reports'"--Introduction.

"The purpose of the Workshop was to present the assessment results and management advice on goosefish, sea scallops, and bluefish, peer reviewed by the Stock Assessment Review Committee at its November 18-22, 1996 meeting, to managers, fisheries representatives, and the public"--Introduction.