In the absence of applicable biomass reference points, the state of the stock cannot be evaluated with regard to these. Based on the most recent estimates of fishing mortality, ICES classifies the stock as being harvested sustainably. The spawning stock tripled in biomass in the late 1980s and has remained high since. The fishing mortality has been below Fpa since the beginning of the time series (1973), fluctuating between 0.1 and 0.2.
Recruitment seems to be stable over the last 20 years with the exception of two very rich year classes, those of 2002 and 2006.
History
Published under the auspices of the following steering group or committee