Report of the Working Group on the Assessment of Mackerel, Horse Mackerel, Sardine and Anchovy - Part 1 and 2

At the 83rd Statutory Meeting (1995 ICES Annual Science Conference) in Aalborg, Denmark, it was decided (C.Res.I995/2:13:9), in the terms of reference for this Working Group that we will meet at ICES Headquarters from 13-22 August 1996 to:

a) assess the status of and provide revised catch options for 1997 for the stocks of mackerel and horse mackerel (defining stocks as appropriate);

b) assess the status of and provide catch options for 1997 for the sardine stock in Divisions Vlllc and IXa, and the anchovy stocks in Sub-area Vlll and Division IXa;

c) provide data requested by the Multispecies Assessment Working Group (quarterly catches and mean weights at age in the catch and stock for 1995 by statistical rectangle of the North Sea) for mackerel and horse mackerel;

d) provide estimates of the minimum biologically acceptable level of spawning stock biomass (MBAL) far as many stocks as possible, with an explanation of the basis on which the estimates are obtained;

e) prepare medium-term forecast under different management scenarios, inc1uding different levels of fishing mortality on juvenile mackerel, taking into account uncertainties in data and assessments and possible stock recruitment relation-ships, and indicate the associated probability of the stocks falling or remaining below MBAL within astated time period;

f) evaluate the effect of the mackerel box in relation to the need to protect juvenile mackerel, taking into account the impacts of all pelagic fisheries, including and excluding handling;

g) evaluate the likely effect on the exploitation of juvenile mackerel of changing or extending the boundaries of the existing mackerel box and closing other areas to mackerel fishing;

h) Define the data and information requirements for evaluating, and if possible carry out an evaluation of, the effects of an area closure or closures to protect juvenile sardine, taking into account different scenarios of recruitment and fishing mortality levels.