Report of the Study Group on Life Histories and Assessment Methods Nephrops stocks

Terms of Reference
a) Continue to investigate the performance and sensitivity of the slicing/VPA method.
b) Examine other analytical and direct methods of assessing Nephrops populations.
c) Provide abundance indices (CPUE and/or LPUE) separately for the two sexes und investigate the likely significance in catchability on Nephrops assessments.
d) Present new findings on the population biology of Nephrops, discuss implications, and update input parameter values as appropriate.
e) Investigate the most likely form of the stock/recruit relationship in Nephrops stocks.

The list of subjects covered by the terms of reference is extensive und reflects the role of the Study Group to provide a forum for discussion of biological and methodological developments and to ensure that the varying spheres of interest are sensitive to the latest developments or requirements in other areas. The dual aims being to improve the understanding of Nephrops population dynamics and the quality of Nephrops assessments. The selection of terms of reference has arisen from the two previous reports of the group ,(Anon., 1992; Anon., 1993a) when "by communication" consultations identified a number of areas requiring attention.
All items on the terms of reference list were addressed to some degree. Several items involved collation und presentation of data brought to the meeting. In some cases new information was presented by individuals in the form of short summaries or progress .reports. While the presentation of working papers was encouraged, the large number of different items would have implied a rather extensive appendix section and little in the report. It was decided instead to incorporate the contributions into the body of the report and to acknowledge the work of individuals appropriately.