Publication Abstract

Limiting inter-annual variation in total allowable catch strategies. An application to ICES flatfish stocks

L.T. Kell, M.T. Smith, R. Scott, M. Pastoors, F. Van Beek, T. Hammond, C.M. O'Brien and G. Pilling

The current framework for providing advice for flatfish within the ICES convention area is based on total allowable catches (TACs) derived from multiples of current fishing mortality. These are set to ensure that limit reference points (both fishing mortality rate and biomass based) are not exceeded. However, the fishing industry has repeatedly pointed to the difficulties created by wide annual fluctuations in TACs resulting from the current system. This paper presents the findings of an EU funded study (MATACS - FISH/2001/02) which used a simulation framework that explicitly considered uncertainty in our ability to monitor, assess and control fish stocks to evaluate the performance of management strategies. These strategies attempted to balance the potentially conflicting objectives of limiting inter-annual variation in catches whilst also ensuring that the probability of limit reference points being exceeded was small. The flatfish stocks considered, specifically were plaice and sole in the North Sea, Eastern Channel and Irish Sea and plaice in the Skaggerak.

Reference:

L.T. Kell, M.T. Smith, R. Scott, M. Pastoors, F. Van Beek, T. Hammond, C.M. O'Brien and G. Pilling, 2003. Limiting inter-annual variation in total allowable catch strategies. An application to ICES flatfish stocks. ICES CM 2003/X: 06. ICES Copenhagen.