This is a question about NOF and a suggestion as to how the whole process might improve.

As I understand it, the process kicks off when the PSF (Pre-season Forecasts) are agreed to. This is done in the winter before any NOF.

In my work in salmon management, we had the escapement and run size data for the salmon runs a few months after the last spawner died. At that point, you can make an escapement-based PSF for 2 (pinks), 3 (coho), or 4 (chum, Chinook, sockeye) years in the future. As each year rolls by you can add smolt outmigration and hatchery plants, various flow information, and some return for younger ages (sockeye and coho jacks, Chinook and chum age-3s).

Basically, you have forecasts that you update annually. It means that at least general patterns can the developed, issues of either low or high abundance can be dealt with early, and so on.

It would drag out the process, which might let it actually comply with APA.