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Welcome to the Population Dynamics Branch

The Population Dynamics Branch studies changes in distribution, abundance, and composition (size, sex, age, etc.) and is responsible for monitoring the abundance of fish stocks, measuring the impact of fishing activity, and evaluating biological aspects of the ecosystem. Additionally, the Branch provides information on biological and physical processes within the ecosystem developed by the other Divisions of the NEFSC. Mathematical and statistical models check the effects of environmental changes and fishing activity on fishery resources.

The Branch provides research necessary to support the management of a variety of finfish and invertebrate (animals without a backbone) fishery resources off the coast of Northeastern USA. The Branch also supports the New England and Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization work.

Plan Development Teams (PDTs) evaluate the effects of fishery management rules for monkfish, New England groundfish, sea scallop, summer flounder, scup, American lobster, spiny dogfish, herring, mackerel, ocean quahog, and several other species . Stock assessments are also conducted for Georges Bank cod, haddock and yellowtail flounder, scup, Atlantic surfclam, tilefish, and selected other species/stocks.

Resource and fishery information is made available for several NMFS units in the Northwest Atlantic, including the GARFO, NMFS Headquarters, New England Fishery Management Council, Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, other federal and state agencies, and several international research agencies, such as, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.