Abstract
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) includes directives to 1) prevent overfishing, 2) rebuild depressed fish stocks to levels of abundance that produce maximum sustainable yield (MSY), 3) develop standardized reporting methodologies to assess the amount and type of bycatch, 4) adopt measures that minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality, to the extent practicable, 5) describe and identify essential fish habitat (EFH), and 6) assessthe impact of human activities, including fishing impacts, on habitat. The MSA also encourages the participation of the fishing industry in fishery research. Additionally, Standard 8 mandates consideration of the effects of fishery management measures on communities. These directives require substantial data collection and research efforts to support Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) management of West Coast fisheries.