This session features research on interactions of groundfish with each other, other species, and their habitat. Topics may include groundfish spatial distributions, foraging ecology, and relationships with biological and physical attributes of the environment. Topics that examine the interactions of fisheries and habitat are also encouraged.

This session focuses on developments in groundfish stock assessment and fisheries management. Encouraged topics are: methods for including ecosystem data directly into assessment models, novel survey designs and technologies for abundance estimation, innovation in the use of fishery data and local and traditional knowledge, and communication tools for assessment results. Management topics may include the use of socioeconomic data in quota setting, bycatch research in support of management, spatial tools, and electronic monitoring.

This session focuses on groundfish research or management issues caused by accelerating change in the ocean related to climate change and other societal impacts of global changes. Specific topics may include changes in reproductive success, growth rates, migration, or trophic dynamics, potential impacts of introduced species or diseases, ocean acidification, ecosystem responses to marine heat waves, unique challenges for stock assessment and management, human dimensions, and potential investments in research, technology, and conservation strategies to help address or prepare for these changes. 

The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions of fisheries research, surveys, and monitoring, resulting in major data gaps needed for management and conservation globally, as nearly all activities were suspended until best safe practices were established. This data loss poses challenges for ecosystem science and the development of future fishery stock and ecosystem assessments that are used to manage and inform decisions regarding marine resources. Furthermore, with increased climate changes impacting coastal ocean ecosystems, the loss of ecosystem monitoring data could make it more difficult to interpret interannual changes in fished resources and conservation of protected species. The TSC invites individuals and organizations to share their lessons learned and how they have adapted, based on the latest science and technology, including sampling design considerations and collaborative efforts to reduce impacts or costs. We encourage and set the stage for organizations to share best practices and experiences on the tools and strategies that have successfully overcome the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. Finally, as working from home with kids and pets video-bombing meetings has become commonplace, we encourage discussions of how agencies have adapted to doing business virtually, while trying to maintain a positive atmosphere and synergy among co-workers and collaborators.

The WGC is an inclusive event and welcomes submissions that may not fit within the previous sessions. If sufficient submissions do not fit within the above described sessions, another session topic may be developed.