Oversight of Process: NMFS and DFO appoint one person each to act as TRAC co-chairs. The co-chairs administer the TRAC review process and the publication of product documents and schedule TRAC review meetings. They may chair TRAC review meetings or delegate by agreement.

Formulation of the Remit: The remit is a succinct statement of the analyses and review that is requested of the TRAC. The TMGC, in consultation with the TRAC co-chairs, draft the remit. The remit outlines the required products of the TRAC along with the timelines.

Preparation of Assessments: The TRAC co-chairs designate co-experts, one from NMFS and one from DFO, for each management unit reviewed at TRAC. The co-experts are responsible for coordinating data preparation, leading the conduct of analyses, facilitating the preparation of working papers for TRAC and their presentation at TRAC. TRAC may also invite and review assessment analyses conducted by others, including non-NMFS and non-DFO staff.

Review of Assessments: The TRAC employs a two-tiered review process in which each of the stocks periodically undergoes an intensive peer review of the assessment model and assumptions. This is termed a benchmark assessment review. The benchmark assessment framework is applied as required, generally on an annual schedule, to provide the peer reviewed assessment of the resource status to fisheries managers. This is simply termed an assessment review. It is considered preferable to conduct benchmark assessment reviews during meetings dedicated to that task rather than in conjunction with an assessment review. The aim is to conduct benchmark assessment reviews well enough in advance of assessment reviews to permit incorporation of a new framework in the assessment.

Peer review of a benchmark assessment framework involves evaluation of the technical aspects surrounding analysis of fisheries data and requires participation of local technical experts as well as those solicited from the international community to bring particular knowledge and experience to the table. As well, stakeholders with particular insights into interpretation of the data being considered are required. The mandate of a benchmark review meeting is to reach consensus on a framework to be applied for determination of stock status and to fully document that framework in the Proceedings. The benchmark assessment framework will not subsequently be re-evaluated until progress on the science warrants. Generally several years of additional information are required before another benchmark review is justified. TRAC, through the TRAC co-chairs, would recommend to the TMGC when framework reviews are warranted. The TMGC would consult with the TRAC co-chairs to establish the schedule for a benchmark assessment review. NMFS and DFO commit to supporting participation at each benchmark assessment review by at least two scientists that are not employed in the USA Northeast Region and the Canadian Maritimes Region.

The mandate of the assessment peer review is to appropriately apply the benchmark assessment framework to fishery, survey and biological data acquired since the last assessment in order to elucidate the current status of the stock. Participation in this process by both assessment scientists and stakeholders with particular insights into the fisheries and stocks being evaluated is encouraged to foster interpretation, communication and understanding of the results.

Communication of TRAC Results: The TRAC co-chairs (or their designees) are responsible for presentation of the TRAC results, e.g. TSRs, highlights of proceedings, summaries of new analyses, etc., to the TMGC. TRAC co-chairs and stock co-experts may be called upon by the TMGC to make presentations at public consultations.

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