1. Meetings
  2. Scientific Committee (SC) Meetings
  3. Small Scientific Committee on Bottom Fish and Marine Ecosystems (SSC BF-ME)
  4. 6th SSC BF-ME meeting

6th SSC BF-ME meeting

    Location
    Nagoya, Japan
    Short Name
    SSC BF-ME06
    Date
    -
    Register
    Registration Due
    Meeting Papers Due
    Meeting Information File
    NPFC-2025-SC10-MIP01(Rev1) Meeting Information_0.docx
    1. Opening of the Meeting
    2. Adoption of Agenda
    3. Overview of the outcomes of previous NPFC meetings
     
    3.1 SSC BFME05
     
    3.2 COM09
     
     
    3.2.1 CMMs 2025-05 and 2025-06
     
     
    3.2.2 Requests from COM09
    4. Stock assessment and scientific advice on the management of North Pacific armorhead (NPA)
     
    4.1 Review of Members fishing statistics for NPA in 2024
     
    4.2 NPA monitoring survey and Adaptive Management Procedure (AMP)
     
     
    4.2.1 Review of the results from 2025 monitoring survey
     
    4.3 Review of Members’ research and joint research activities on NPA
     
     
    4.3.1 Ongoing research activities on NPA
     
     
    4.3.2 Future and planned research activities by Members on NPA in 2026
    5. Stock assessment and scientific advice on the management of splendid alfonsino (SA)
     
    5.1 Review of Members fishing statistics for SA in 2024
     
    5.2 Review of Members’ research and joint research activities on SA
     
     
    5.2.1 Ongoing research activities on SA
     
     
    5.2.2 Future and planned research activities by Members on SA in 2026
    6. Stock assessment and scientific advice on the management of sablefish
     
    6.1 Review of Members fishing statistics for sablefish in 2024
     
    6.2 Review of Members’ research and joint research activities on sablefish
     
     
    6.2.1 Updated stock status for sablefish (Canada and USA)
     
     
    6.2.2 Sablefish species summary document update and review
     
     
    6.2.3 Proposed method for developing harvest control rule for sablefish in CA
     
     
    6.2.4 Other research activities on sablefish
     
     
    6.2.5 Future and planned research activities by Members on sablefish in 2026
    7. Skilfish in the NPFC Convention Area
     
    7.1 Updated catch and effort for skilfish in 2024
     
    7.2 Skilfish species summary document update and review
    8. Progress on data-limited approaches to assessment of NPA and SA
     
    8.1 Update from SWG NPA-SA
     
     
    8.1.1 Depletion analysis of NPA catch and update on IBM approach
     
     
    8.1.2 Standardized CPUE for SA
     
     
    8.1.3 Review of biological data collection
     
     
    8.1.4 Review of results of integrated model for SA
     
     
    8.1.5 Review of stock status for SA
     
     
    8.1.6 Literature review of results on the effects of climate change on SA and NPA
     
     
    8.1.7 NPA species summary document update and review
     
     
    8.1.8 SA species summary document update and review
    9. Summary slides for Sablefish, NPA, SA and Skilfish
     
    9.1 Draft, review and discuss draft slides on priority bottom fish species for presentation to Commission
    10. Assessment and scientific advice on the management of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME)
     
    10.1 Review of Members’ research and joint research activities on VME
     
     
    10.1.1 Update on surveys and modeling of VME distribution in the NE Pacific
     
     
    10.1.2 Surveys of VME in the Emperor Seamounts in 2025
     
     
    10.1.3 Other research activities on VMEs
     
     
    10.1.4 Future and planned research activities by Members on VMEs in 2026
     
    10.2 Review of intersessional activities of the SWG VME
     
     
    10.2.1 Update on the development of gear and taxon specific encounter thresholds for VME indicator taxa in the NPFC Convention Area
     
     
    10.2.2 Update on progress on data analysis of shared VME indicator data and directions on future joint data analyses (Objectives 2b, 2c and 3)
     
     
    10.2.3 Proposals for revisions to VME indicator species list or nomenclature
     
     
    10.2.4 Proposals for updates to definitions of VME
     
     
    10.2.5 Update on progress on standardizing an approach to defining SAI
     
     
    10.2.6 Literature review of connectivity, recruitment and recovery of VME taxa
     
    10.3 Management of VME and SAI
     
     
    10.3.1 Updated impact assessment for Japan bottom fish fisheries
     
     
    10.3.2 Updated impact assessment for Canada bottom fish fisheries
     
     
    10.3.3 Other updated impact assessments
     
     
    10.3.4 Proposal from USA on Emperor Seamount bottom fishery closure
    11. Ecosystem considerations
     
    11.1. Summary of FAO Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management Symposium in March 2025
     
    11.2 Preliminary ecosystem indicators and framework for communication to SC
    12. Data collection and reporting
     
    12.1 Review of the adequacy of the current observer program for the BFME
     
    12.2 Review of the template for collection of scientific observer data
     
    12.3 Update on the work of SWG Data as it pertains to BFME
    13. 5-Year (2025-2029) Rolling Work Plan
     
    13.1 North Pacific armorhead
     
    13.2 Splendid alfonsino
     
    13.3 Sablefish
     
    13.4 Vulnerable marine ecosystems
     
    13.5 Other ecosystem components
    14. Review of CMMs 2025-05 and 2025-06 for bottom fisheries and protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems and CMM 2019-10 for sablefish
    15. Climate change impacts on bottom fisheries and VME
     
    15.1 Discussion of potential impacts of climate change and potential research and advice that the SSC BFME should address
    16. Other matters
     
    16.1 Inter-sessional work and priority issues for next meeting
     
    16.2 Update on PICES WG47 Seamount Ecology and newly proposed PICES WG
     
    16.3 Selection of Chair for SSC BFME
     
    16.4 Other issues
    17. Recommendations to the Scientific Committee
    18. Next meeting
    19. Adoption of the Report
    20. Close of the Meeting
    No documents listed
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-MIP02
    		Provisional Agenda NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-MIP02 Provisional Agenda_0.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-MIP03
    		Annotated Indicative Schedule NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-MIP03 Annotated Indicative Schedule.pdf
    No documents listed
    3.1 SSC BFME05
    SSC BFME05 report (click for LINK)
    3.2 COM09
    No documents listed
    3.2.1 CMMs 2025-05 and 2025-06
    CMMs 2025-05 and 2025-06 (click for LINK)
    3.2.2 Requests from COM09
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    4.1 Review of Members fishing statistics for NPA in 2024
    No documents listed
    4.2 NPA monitoring survey and Adaptive Management Procedure (AMP)
    No documents listed
    4.2.1 Review of the results from 2025 monitoring survey
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-IP01
    		Results of a monitoring survey for North Pacific armorhead in the Emperor Seamounts in 2025 NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-IP01 Results of monitoring survey for NPA in 2025.pdf
    4.3 Review of Members’ research and joint research activities on NPA
    No documents listed
    4.3.1 Ongoing research activities on NPA
    No documents listed
    4.3.2 Future and planned research activities by Members on NPA in 2026
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    5.1 Review of Members fishing statistics for SA in 2024
    No documents listed
    5.2 Review of Members’ research and joint research activities on SA
    No documents listed
    5.2.1 Ongoing research activities on SA
    No documents listed
    5.2.2 Future and planned research activities by Members on SA in 2026
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    6.1 Review of Members fishing statistics for sablefish in 2024
    No documents listed
    6.2 Review of Members’ research and joint research activities on sablefish
    No documents listed
    6.2.1 Updated stock status for sablefish (Canada and USA)
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP06
    		A brief update of Sablefish status in the eastern North Pacific including the NPFC Convention Area - 2025 NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP06 SablefishStockAssessmentReport2025.pdf
    6.2.2 Sablefish species summary document update and review
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP02
    		Sablefish Species Summary NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP02 Sablefish_Species_Summary.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP03
    		Blackspotted and Rougheye Rockfishes Species Summary NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP03 Blackspotted_Species_Summary.docx
    6.2.3 Proposed method for developing harvest control rule for sablefish in CA
    No documents listed
    6.2.4 Other research activities on sablefish
    No documents listed
    6.2.5 Future and planned research activities by Members on sablefish in 2026
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    7.1 Updated catch and effort for skilfish in 2024
    No documents listed
    7.2 Skilfish species summary document update and review
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    8.1 Update from SWG NPA-SA
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP12
    		Small Working Group on NPA and SA - Summary for 2025 NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP12 SWG_NPASA_Summary.docx
    8.1.1 Depletion analysis of NPA catch and update on IBM approach
    No documents listed
    8.1.2 Standardized CPUE for SA
    NPFC-2025-BFME06-WP13
    		Catch per unit effort standardization of splendid alfonsino Beryx splendens in the Emperor Seamounts NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP13 CPUE_standardization_in_SA.docx
    8.1.3 Review of biological data collection
    No documents listed
    8.1.4 Review of results of integrated model for SA
    No documents listed
    8.1.5 Review of stock status for SA
    No documents listed
    8.1.6 Literature review of results on the effects of climate change on SA and NPA
    No documents listed
    8.1.7 NPA species summary document update and review
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP04
    		North Pacific Armorhead Species Summary NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP04 NPA_Species_Summary.docx
    8.1.8 SA species summary document update and review
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP05
    		Splendid Alfonsino Species Summary NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP05 SA_species_summary.docx
    No documents listed
    9.1 Draft, review and discuss draft slides on priority bottom fish species for presentation to Commission
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    10.1 Review of Members’ research and joint research activities on VME
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP14
    		Updated identification of VMEs on Cobb Seamount in the Northeast Pacific Ocean by including pennatulaceans as VME indicator taxa NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP14 2025 VME update in NE Pacific.docx
    10.1.1 Update on surveys and modeling of VME distribution in the NE Pacific
    No documents listed
    10.1.2 Surveys of VME in the Emperor Seamounts in 2025
    No documents listed
    10.1.3 Other research activities on VMEs
    No documents listed
    10.1.4 Future and planned research activities by Members on VMEs in 2026
    No documents listed
    10.2 Review of intersessional activities of the SWG VME
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-RP01
    		Summary of the 1st meeting of the Small Working Group on VME (2025) NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-RP01 SWG VME01 meeting summary.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-RP02
    		Summary of the 2nd meeting of the Small Working Group on VME (2025) NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-RP02 SWG VME02 meeting summary.pdf
    10.2.1 Update on the development of gear and taxon specific encounter thresholds for VME indicator taxa in the NPFC Convention Area
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP10
    		VME bycatch data comparison between Japan and Korea: Potential challenges of applying data-based method to NW bycatch data NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP10_bycatches_JPNKOR.docx
    10.2.2 Update on progress on data analysis of shared VME indicator data and directions on future joint data analyses (Objectives 2b, 2c and 3)
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP07
    		Objective 1: Maps of VME Presence and Absence Observations
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP08
    		Objective 2: Maps of VME Density Observations and Kernel Density Estimation - Updated for 2025
    10.2.3 Proposals for revisions to VME indicator species list or nomenclature
    No documents listed
    10.2.4 Proposals for updates to definitions of VME
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP15
    		Recommendation to Endorse the Approach for Identifying Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) from Imagery in the NPFC Convention Area NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP15 VisualImageryVMEMethodologyCoverLetterUS.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP15 Baco et al 2023.pdf, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP15 Biede et al 2025.pdf
    10.2.5 Update on progress on standardizing an approach to defining SAI
    No documents listed
    10.2.6 Literature review of connectivity, recruitment and recovery of VME taxa
    No documents listed
    10.3 Management of VME and SAI
    No documents listed
    10.3.1 Updated impact assessment for Japan bottom fish fisheries
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP11
    		An update of fishing impacts assessment: potential impacts of Japanese bottom fisheries on vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) within fished seamounts of the Emperor Seamounts region
    10.3.2 Updated impact assessment for Canada bottom fish fisheries
    No documents listed
    10.3.3 Other updated impact assessments
    No documents listed
    10.3.4 Proposal from USA on Emperor Seamount bottom fishery closure
    NPFC-2025-SSC BF-ME06-WP09
    		U.S. Delegation Paper on Bottom Fishing and Emperor Seamounts NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP09 BottomFishingAndEmperorSeamountsClosure_US.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP09 Attachment1.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP09 Attachment2.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP09 Tong et al 2023.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-OP01
    		Joint Scientists’ Letter to NPFC Members Regarding the Emperor Seamount Chain NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-OP01 ESC Scientists' Letter.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-OP01 SIGNED Emperor Seamount Chain Letter.pdf
    No documents listed
    11.1. Summary of FAO Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management Symposium in March 2025
    No documents listed
    11.2 Preliminary ecosystem indicators and framework for communication to SC
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    12.1 Review of the adequacy of the current observer program for the BFME
    No documents listed
    12.2 Review of the template for collection of scientific observer data
    Template for collection of scientific observer data (click for LINK)
    12.3 Update on the work of SWG Data as it pertains to BFME
    No documents listed
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP01
    		Five-Year Work Plan of the SSC BF-ME NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP01 Five-year Work Plan of SSC BF-ME.docx
    13.1 North Pacific armorhead
    No documents listed
    13.2 Splendid alfonsino
    No documents listed
    13.3 Sablefish
    No documents listed
    13.4 Vulnerable marine ecosystems
    No documents listed
    13.5 Other ecosystem components
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    15.1 Discussion of potential impacts of climate change and potential research and advice that the SSC BFME should address
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    16.1 Inter-sessional work and priority issues for next meeting
    No documents listed
    16.2 Update on PICES WG47 Seamount Ecology and newly proposed PICES WG
    No documents listed
    16.3 Selection of Chair for SSC BFME
    No documents listed
    16.4 Other issues
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-IP02
    		Korea’s Research Expedition to the Emperor Seamount Chain and Northwestern Hawaiian Ridge NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-IP02 Research Expedition to Emperor Seamounts_KOR.docx
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    No documents listed
    Document Number Title File Created
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-MIP02 Provisional Agenda NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-MIP02 Provisional Agenda_0.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-MIP03 Annotated Indicative Schedule NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-MIP03 Annotated Indicative Schedule.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP01 Five-Year Work Plan of the SSC BF-ME NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP01 Five-year Work Plan of SSC BF-ME.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP02 Sablefish Species Summary NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP02 Sablefish_Species_Summary.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP03 Blackspotted and Rougheye Rockfishes Species Summary NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP03 Blackspotted_Species_Summary.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP04 North Pacific Armorhead Species Summary NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP04 NPA_Species_Summary.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP05 Splendid Alfonsino Species Summary NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP05 SA_species_summary.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP06 A brief update of Sablefish status in the eastern North Pacific including the NPFC Convention Area - 2025 NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP06 SablefishStockAssessmentReport2025.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP07 Objective 1: Maps of VME Presence and Absence Observations
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP08 Objective 2: Maps of VME Density Observations and Kernel Density Estimation - Updated for 2025
    NPFC-2025-SSC BF-ME06-WP09 U.S. Delegation Paper on Bottom Fishing and Emperor Seamounts NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP09 BottomFishingAndEmperorSeamountsClosure_US.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP09 Attachment1.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP09 Attachment2.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP09 Tong et al 2023.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP10 VME bycatch data comparison between Japan and Korea: Potential challenges of applying data-based method to NW bycatch data NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP10_bycatches_JPNKOR.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP11 An update of fishing impacts assessment: potential impacts of Japanese bottom fisheries on vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) within fished seamounts of the Emperor Seamounts region
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP12 Small Working Group on NPA and SA - Summary for 2025 NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP12 SWG_NPASA_Summary.docx
    NPFC-2025-BFME06-WP13 Catch per unit effort standardization of splendid alfonsino Beryx splendens in the Emperor Seamounts NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP13 CPUE_standardization_in_SA.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP14 Updated identification of VMEs on Cobb Seamount in the Northeast Pacific Ocean by including pennatulaceans as VME indicator taxa NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP14 2025 VME update in NE Pacific.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP15 Recommendation to Endorse the Approach for Identifying Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) from Imagery in the NPFC Convention Area NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP15 VisualImageryVMEMethodologyCoverLetterUS.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP15 Baco et al 2023.pdf, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-WP15 Biede et al 2025.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-IP01 Results of a monitoring survey for North Pacific armorhead in the Emperor Seamounts in 2025 NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-IP01 Results of monitoring survey for NPA in 2025.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-IP02 Korea’s Research Expedition to the Emperor Seamount Chain and Northwestern Hawaiian Ridge NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-IP02 Research Expedition to Emperor Seamounts_KOR.docx
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-OP01 Joint Scientists’ Letter to NPFC Members Regarding the Emperor Seamount Chain NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-OP01 ESC Scientists' Letter.docx, NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-OP01 SIGNED Emperor Seamount Chain Letter.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-RP01 Summary of the 1st meeting of the Small Working Group on VME (2025) NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-RP01 SWG VME01 meeting summary.pdf
    NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-RP02 Summary of the 2nd meeting of the Small Working Group on VME (2025) NPFC-2025-SSC BFME06-RP02 SWG VME02 meeting summary.pdf
    Template for collection of scientific observer data (click for LINK)
    SSC BFME05 report (click for LINK)
    CMMs 2025-05 and 2025-06 (click for LINK)