The priority areas for the scientific Committee are:

• advice and facilitate on the setting up a system of appropriate data handling;
• carryout resource stock assessments on key stocks (orange roughy, alfonsino, sharks, swordfish, armourhead, deep sea red crab, Patagonian toothfish);
• prepare results and make comprehensive recommendations on the resources;
• address and make recommendations on the impacts of fishing activities on the ecosystem;
• advice on the undertaking of fisheries and oceanographic surveys;
• advice on appropriate management actions to ensure sustainability of fisheries and conservation of ecosystem.

Activities for the Scientific Committee in  2008

       a.      Source, analyse and compile catch and CPUE data for the main fish stocks (e.g. orange roughy, alfonsino, armourhead, deep sea red crab, Patagonian toothfish) in terms of quantity and geographical positions for the SEAFO region using all existing information including observer data.

      b.      Evaluate trends in the total catches and where possible CPUE for the stocks as outlined under point (a), and undertake stock assessments when appropriate.

       c.      Evaluate and suggest reference points for deep sea fish resources.

      d.      Recommending the areas that could be fished on each seamount (ref. Report of the 3^rd Annual Meeting of the Commission, Annex 8, Conservation Measure 06/06, Para 3)

       e.      Recommending a protocol for the collection of the data required to assess the stocks situation on these seamounts, with a view to developing future recommendations on management measures for these areas (ref. Report of the 3^rd Annual Meeting of the Commission, Annex 8, Conservation Measure 06/06, Para 3)

       f.      Examine and review the effects of lost, abandoned or discarded fishing gear and related marine debris and their adverse impacts on the habitats and on the fish stocks covered by the Convention and propose measures to address the problem.

      g.      Examine, where appropriate, assessments and research done by neighbouring assessment and management organisations (such as BCLME/BCC, CCAMLR, GCLME, ICCAT, SWIOFC).

      h.      Review the distribution of reported catches of benthic organisms (corals, sponges etc.).

        i.      Undertake review of submitted SEAFO research documents

        j.      Make scientific advice and recommendations for the formulation of conservation and management measures for fishery resources covered by the Convention