The goal of a benchmark is consensus agreement on an assessment methodology to be used in future update assessments. This assessment methodology can be an analytical assessment, but can also be non-analytical—for instance, based on assessment trends or on a selected set of (survey) indicators, with or without forecasts. The result of a benchmark will be the 'best available' method on which ICES will base advice. Typically, a stock will be benchmarked every 3–5 years to keep pace with changing situations.
This benchmark workshop relates to the following stock groupings:
• Atlantic salmon from North America
• Atlantic salmon in Northeast Atlantic and Arctic Ocean
• Atlantic salmon in Subarea 14 and NAFO division 1 (east and west of Greenland).
A benchmark meeting is open to experts and stakeholders, and is reviewed by external experts throughout the process. A benchmark process takes about five to seven months of preparation and includes a data evaluation workshop and a final benchmark meeting.
