EU and Norway request to evaluate the proposed Long-Term Management Strategy for herring (Clupea harengus) in the North Sea and the Division IIIa herring TAC-setting procedure

ICES considers that the proposed 2014 Long-Term Management Strategy (LTMS) for herring in the North Sea is precautionary. This LTMS includes the introduction of an interannual quota flexibility of ±10% and a 10% constraint on the deviation from the fishing mortality target, provided that SSB > B_lim. ICES advises that any choice of B_trigger  at or above 1.0 million tonnes in the proposed 2014 LTMS for herring in the North Sea is considered to be precautionary.

ICES  considers  that  the  proposed  Division  IIIa  TAC-setting  procedure  is  precautionary  provided  it  includes  a  requirement  to  transfer at least 10% of the TAC from Division IIIa to the North Sea. With transfers of less than 10%, ICES considers that the procedure is not precautionary.