"The Pacific sardine resource is assessed each year in support of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) process that, in part, establishes annual harvest specifications for the U.S. fishery. The following assessment was conducted using the 'Stock Synthesis 3' (SS3) model, and includes fishery and survey data from updated and new sources. A draft assessment was reviewed by a STAR panel 4-7 October, 2011, in La Jolla, California. Modifications to input data and model parameterization were incorporated during the STAR, resulting in changes to population estimates and derived management outcomes. This final draft reflects changes made during the STAR process. The report was presented to the PFMC's advisory bodies (SSC, CPSMT, CPSAS) and the Council at their November 2011 meetings in Costa Mesa, CA, and was subsequently adopted for U.S. Pacific sardine management in 2012. Reports of the STAR panel and PFMC advisory bodies are provided in Appendix 6"--Preface.

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