Theme Session N: Problems and solutions for the assessment, conservation, and restoration of rare, threatened, and endangered fish species

Theme Session N addressed some recent and emerging methodologies to assess a range of fish species from Atlantic salmon, Shortnosed sturgeon and North Sea houting in North America and Europe to Orange roughy in Australia. Evaluation methods included population modeling to inform management, supportive breeding and rearing to affect recovery, habitat inventory and assessment using geographic information systems to inform recovery plans. The application of a novel non-invasive tagging technique, digital pattern recognition was presented.  Gaps were identified in most methodologies including the problems and possible opportunities associated with incidental harvests in other fisheries that will require further research and data collection to improve the information that will enable science to provide advice. A common theme in most presentations was the use of results to inform management requirements associated with species listed under various National and International regulations and treaties, the difficulties in assessing key threats and a the variable success of recovering populations.