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The Center for the Advancement of Population Assessment Methodology (CAPAM) is a US-based research center that focus on quantitative methods used for fisheries stock assessment.

History
In 2007, the Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act strengthened the role of science in fishery management decision-making and required that formal Fishery Management Plans adopt catch limits and related accountability measures for exploited marine populations. An important stipulation in this legislation required that Federal marine management more efficiently monitor fisheries in the future to stem overfishing and develop long-term sustainable fishing practices. To achieve these goals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries) identified critical needs for: (1) higher quality and more frequent stock assessments on a comprehensive range of species that can be used to objectively provide sound advice to fishery managers concerning appropriate harvest strategies; and (2) increased attention to preparing potential researchers for stock assessment work, including educational commitments and focused research on quantitative methods generally employed in population ecology and specifically, stock assessment modeling.

The CAPAM was established in 2012 to: (1) improve quantitative methods used in fishery stock assessment work. CAPAM's research focus on parameterization and simulation involved in determining good practices for developing robust fishery models; and (2) afford the educational and training opportunities necessary to produce competent researchers and ultimately, the next generation of stock assessment scientists.

Framework
The CAPAM is supported by three institutions and located on the campus of Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, USA.


 * University of California San Diego/Scripps Institution of Oceanography/Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystems and Climate (UCSD/SIO/CIMEC)
 * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries/Southwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA Fisheries/SWFSC)
 * Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)

Research Programs
Research Programs at CAPAM broadly address animal population biology and dynamics and in particular, fish stock assessment modeling theory and application in fishery science. Programs incorporate specific Projects that typically span a 2-3 year timeframe and include CAPAM staff, post-doctoral candidates, visiting scientists, as well as workshops to disseminate CAPAM’s research efforts and receive input from interested parties and outside experts. An advisory panel acts in the role of a ‘review’ committee by ensuring research Programs and Projects are conducted in a timely, scientific, and efficient manner. Overall, CAPAM provides an efficient infrastructure for conducting modeling research on biologically and economically important marine resources, both regionally and internationally—ultimately, CAPAM’S deliverables directly benefit the educational and research missions of all three institutions, SIO, SWFSC, and IATTC. Current programs include:
 * Good Practices in Stock Asessment Modeling
 * White Seabass Stock Assessment
 * Education and Trainning

Funding
The CAPAM receives funding for research efforts from the USA Federal and State government agencies (e.g., NOAA Fisheries), non-government organizations (e.g., natural resource conservation groups), private industry (fishing and fish processing companies), and interested public (individuals and non-profit forums). Research funds are obtained from both formal requests for proposals from prospective organizations, as well as direct contributions from concerned groups, vested parties, and responsible management entities interested in developing and maintaining sustainable marine resource animal populations worldwide.

The majority of support for the Good Practices in Stock Assessment Modeling Program comes from NOAA through the National Marine Fisheries Service Assessment Methods Working Group. Additional funding comes from the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). Support for the White Sea Bass Stock Assessment Program comes from the Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research (PIER).