All stages of
biological parameter provision are covered: methodological improvements,
implementation, quality assurance, and statistical analysis. Biological
parameters are among the main input data for most stock assessments and mixed
fishery modelling. WGBIOP offers a bridge between the data collectors and end
users that has often been lacking.
The
focus of the group is not only on technical aspects of data collection and
quality assurance but also on accuracy in life history parameter estimations to
support stock assessment. WGBIOP reviews life-history parameters and monitors
potential changes in biological processes, such as growth rate, onset of
maturity, and maturity and fecundity at size/age.
WGBIOP will be
dedicated to handling of the increasing demands for new biological parameters
and new number of species included in EC-ICES Memorandum of Understanding.