ALBERT

Description: The ICES Workshop on ICES reference points (WKREF2) was tasked review the WKREF1 report and based on the outcome develop updated guidelines for the ICES reference points system and recommendations for ACOM consideration. The WKREF1 report has suggested 5 key recom- mendations to simplify and harmonise the ICES reference points framework representing a ma- jor change to the current guidelines. At WKREF2, we detailed discussions and four key concerns were raised about the proposed approach. The first related to the simplification of rules to define Blim. Around two thirds of category 1 stocks would end up as WKREF1 “Blim Type 2” where Blim would be set as a fraction of B0. The Allee effect or “depensation” maybe more important than previously thought and should be furthered explored for ICES stocks since it has important consequences for Blim. A number of challenges and issues around defining Blim using the current guidelines were documented. Some suggestions on improvement criteria were discussed including using classifiers to define spas- modic stocks and using change point algorithms to address non-stationary productivity regimes. However, further work is need to make these approaches operational and there was no consen- sus that the WKREF1 Blim types should replace the current guidelines. WKREF1 recommended that the FMSY proxy should be based on a biological proxies and should be less than the deterministic FMSY. It was pointed out that the stochastic FMSY estimated in EqSim for example, is lower than the deterministic FMSY and that the current guidelines ensure that the FMSY should not pose a more than 5% risk to Blim. A large amount of work described in WD 1 was carried out to develop an MSE framework to consistency and robustness test a candidate refer- ence point system for North East Atlantic stocks. However, WKREF2 recommended that further work needs to be carried out to condition and test the simulation framework before the conclu- sions could be adopted by ICES and incorporated into the guidelines. A number of considerations for defining MSY related reference points were discussed including using model validation and prediction skill to ensure that ICES provide robust and credible ad- vice. There is evidence that density dependence (DD) is important in the majority of ICES stocks (68% in recruitment and 54% in growth). The correct prediction of the shape and strength of density-dependence in productivity is key to predicting future stock development and providing the best possible long-term fisheries management advice. A suggested approach to use surplus production models (SPMs) to account for DD in FMSY was suggested and discussed but there was no consensus on whether that approach was appropriate. There was consensus that the FECO approach as a means of adapting target fishing mortality to medium-term changes in productiv- ity should be included in the guidelines subject to a benchmark and ACOM approval. While WKREF1 and 2 focused mainly on Category 1 stocks ToR c) called for a “simplified and harmonised set of guidelines for estimating MSY and precautionary reference points applicable in the advice framework across various ICES stock categories.” Ideally the ICES assessment cat- egories should provide equivalent risk across all stocks. This issue was discussed but no recom- mendations emerged. There was no consensus a revised reference point framework was proposed at WKREF2. How- ever, it was agreed that it should be presented here for further discussion at ACOM and other fora. The key feature of the suggested approach is that the stock status evaluation is treated in- dependent of the Advice Rule (AR). The main feature of the system is that the biomass trigger is not linked to a stock status evaluation, it is linked to the expected biomass when fishing at the target fishing mortality, in contrast to the current ICES approach. It also entailed that FMSY would also become an upper limit of fishing mortality and that the advised fishing mortality would be set at or lower than that level. WKREF2 did not discuss what to do in situations where SSB〈 Blim or alternative forms of HCR for the advice rule. Building community understanding and con- sensus around simplified and harmonised guidelines has yet to be achieved. A further workshop WKREF3 will be required to achieve that aim. The report includes 6 recommendations for ACOM consideration.

Description: ICES

Description: The main objective of the workshop was to review the recommendations of WKREF1 and con- sider how these might feed into a new reference points framework and guidelines for ICES. There were a number of presentations on the wider issues of best practice for reference points, the Allee effect, density dependence and the WKIRISH approach. The starting point was to try and develop a set of simplified and harmonised guidelines based on the WKREF1 report rather than evolving the current guidelines to include the WKREF1 conclusions. A key aspect of the meeting was to allow for discussions in order to build a shared understanding of the strengths and weakness of the current framework and of the new framework emerging from WKREF1.

Description: Published

Description: Non Refereed

Description: Round scad exploration by purse seine in the waters of western Philippines was conducted from April 22 to May 7, 1998 for a period of five (5) fishing days with a total catch of 7.3 tons and an average of 1.5 tons per setting. Dominant species caught were Decapterus spp. having 70.09% of the total catch, followed by Selar spp. at 12.66% and Rastrelliger spp. 10.70%. Among the Decapterus spp. caught, D. macrosoma attained the highest total catch composition by species having 68.81% followed by D. kurroides and D.russelli with 0.31% and 1.14% respectively. The round scad fishery stock was composed mainly of juvenile fish (less than 13 cm) and Age group II (13 cm to 14 cm). Few large round scad at Age group IV and V (20 cm to 28 cm) stayed at the fishery. Other fishes caught were: Auxis rochei (0.85%), A. thazard (0.12%), Caranx spp. (0.45%), Emmilichthys nitidus (0.58%), Euthynnus affinis (0.42%), Leiognathus ruconius (0.58%), Loligo sp. (0.31%), Megalaspis cordyla (0.09%), Rastrelliger spp. (10.70%), Sardinella longiceps (0.03%), Scomberoides lysan (0.24%), Selar spp. (12.66%), Sphyraena spp. (0.90%), Thunnus albacares (0.96%) and others (1.02%). Tuna and tuna like fishes such as yellowfin tuna, eastern little tuna, bullet tuna, frigate tuna and oceanic squid are distributed in the upper latitudes of the survey area. On the other hand, round scads, big-eyed scads and Indian mackerels are dominantly present in the lower latitudes of the survey area.

Description: An exploratory tuna longline fishing survey was conducted using the research and training vessels of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, the 1,178 GT MV SEAFDEC and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the 165 GT MV MAYA-MAYA in the South China Sea Waters, West of the Philippines from April to May, 1998. A total of 3,796 hooks was set in sixteen (16) fishing stations. There were no tuna caught during the entire survey but only minor and irrelevant species like the Pacific lancetfish, sharks and an opah species, Lampris guttatus. The important fishing and oceanographic factors during the survey and other research results on longline are described and analyzed. Additional longline studies within and near the Philippines territorial waters are also presented to substantiate the research results of the joint SEAFDEC/BFAR resource exploratory.

Description: Fishery statistics in Brunei Darussalam have been collected by the Department of Fisheries since the 1940s. In the early 1980s, a number of statistics were collected, such as catch and effort data of artisanal fishermen, aquaculture statistics, processing statistics as well as data from major wet markets focusing on the amount, prices of marketed fish either from the local fishermen or imported. In 1984, the collection of statistics on commercial fishing was started. The statistics have been used in the formulation of fishery management and development policies as well as for sectoral development. Following a brief account of the responsibility and statistic collections of the Department of Fisheries, an examination is made of employment in the fishery sector, fisheries production, fish marketed and the GDP for the fishery industry. Fisheries in Brunei Darussalam is a very healthy industry, where production is well below the maximum allowable harvestable limit of 20,000 tons at 30%. The Department is embarking to increase production from the capture fishery to reduce the country's dependence on imported fish; the same applies for aquaculture, in order to complement production from the capture fisheries. The processing sector is also increasing in importance, especially with the increase in the number of capture fishery licenses, and the demand for quality and value-added products.