Two models are presented for consideration. Model 1 is the model configuration that has been accepted by the SSC for the previous 2 years updated with the most recent data. An error was discovered in the female length at 50% mature used last year and has been corrected in both
models presented this year. Model 2 is similar to the models presented for the past 2 years with a parameter for autocorrelation in recruitment. Model 2 differs from last year’s autocorrelated model in that an additional time block (2010-2014) for the longline fishery selectivity was added
to improve the residual pattern, and catchability was fixed for shelf and survey indices. The stock continues to be modeled using the same software as previous assessments (Stock Synthesis 3).