The way the FAB worked was when there was a dispute, the two parties met in from of the Chair and presented their sides. The Chair ruled, at least initially best on the best science and law as Boldt outlined.

The parties had two choices. Accept the decision and file whatever regulations came from that or go directly to Court where the Chair (appointed by the Court as the Court's expert) would tell the Judge what the best science was in this case. The expectation was that the Judge would agree and then order compliance.

Decisions were often rendered at the end of the meeting. Recall that the FAB was primarily used in-season so a decision had to be made.

The first few Chairmen were pretty good scientists.