Interbenchmark protocol on Faroese demersal stocks (IBPFAR 2022)

Executive summary  

The Inter-Benchmark meeting was tasked with reviewing solutions to improve retrospective patterns in the assessments of Faroes cod in Subdivision 5.b.1 (cod.27.5b1), haddock and saithe in Division 5.b (had.27.5b and pol.27.5b). Specifically, work examined the inclusion of catch numbers at age (CNAA) in the interim year of the assessments to improve retrospective patterns. Following this, MSY and PA reference points were re-estimated. If work failed to improve the retrospective patterns of the Category 1 assessments, Category 3 Data Limited assessments, were to be compiled. While inclusion of CNAA improved the retrospective patterns, it was not found to fully remedy them, however, review of the assessments revealed other issues which were addressed and did improve the retrospective patterns of the stocks, and are recommended Setting of reference points were reviewed, re-calculated and their values updated. Stock Annexes are to be updated in accordance to the assessment changes. Category 3 Data Limited Stock (DLS) assessments were also established for each of the three stocks in case update of 2022 data again confounds the assessments. The Category 1 assessments should be implemented, and given reasonable retrospective patters in accordance with ICES (2020), should be used to give catch advice. If the assessments again show high retrospective patterns – breaking the 95% confidence intervals of the final year assessment and values of Mohn’s rho outside guidelines (ICES, 2020) – the Category 3 DLS assessments (ICES 2022), should be used to give catch advice.