OMB number: 4040-0019 expiration date: 02/28/2025 project abstract summary this project abstract summary form must be submitted or the application will be considered incomplete

Ensure the project abstract field succinctly describes the project in plain language that the public can understand and use without the full proposal. Use 4,000 characters or less. Do not include personally identifiable, sensitive or proprietary information. Refer to agency instructions for any additional project abstract field requirements. If the application is funded, your project abstract information (as submitted) will be made available to public websites and/or databases including usaspending.GOV. Funding opportunity number NOAA-OAR-SG-2024-24162 cfda(S) 11.417 applicant name university of maine system / maine sea grant descriptive title of applicant's project redefining biological reference points in a dynamic environment project abstract according to NOAA fisheries priorities, there is a critical need to address the effects of climate change in fisheries management and support climate-informed decision-making. My proposed research focuses on these needs by evaluating approaches to calculating biological reference points (BRPS) in the context of climate driven changes in stock productivity (recruitment, growth, and natural mortality). BRPS are a critical aspect of fisheries management because they are used to determine stock status, can trigger management actions informing catch advice, and contribute to defining rebuilding plans. Traditionally, the methods used to calculate BRPS have assumed static stock productivity over time. If this assumption is violated and a stock is experiencing time varying productivity that is not accounted for, IT can lead to ineffective management and have consequences for the stock and fishery. Dynamic reference points can account for time-varying productivity in a variety of ways, however there is not a consensus as to the most effective methods. I propose to characterize the current and alternative approaches to defining reference points in the context of ecosystem change to synthesize findings, challenges, and best practices. I will apply that gained knowledge to assess the performance of status QUO and alternative approaches to calculating reference points for stocks experiencing climate impacts on productivity using management strategy evaluation. I will utilize the woods hole assessment model (WHAM), which allows for time-varying dynamics and incorporation of environmental covariates in the assessment as well as internal estimation of reference points, in my proposed simulation testing. Testing alternative management procedures with next generation state-space stock assessments is imperative as this approach is adopted for more stocks. Lastly, I will synthesize and visualize simulation results in an interactive web application in order to effectively communicate outcomes to stakeholders. This research will inform the best available science needed to reach NOAA goals and redefine BRPS in a changing environment.