This project is being implemented to provide quantitative data on the spatial and temporal variation in the growth rate and reproductive biology of bigeye tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean for direct use in the  stock assessments for this species.  The project is currently focussing upon the Palau, FSM and Marshall Islands area of Micronesia and observers, fisheries officers and the tuna industry are collaborating with SPC, CSIRO, IATTC, Japan and the University of Hawaii to collect gonads and otoliths from fish caught in the EEZs of these countries for analysis in the laboratory.  Training observers in the methods and protocols for collecting these samples has been a significant component of this project and the regional observer program now has capacity for undertaking the collection of biological samples across the region.  Results from the project are expected to be included in the 2011 bigeye stock assessment.