Report of the Working Group on the Assessment of Mackerel, Horse Mackerel, Sardine and Anchovy (WGMHSA), Sec 7

ICES in 1999 stated that there are no explicit management objectives for this stock. However, for any management objectives to meet precautionary criteria, their aim should be to reduce or maintain F below Fpa and to increase or maintain spawning stock biomass above Bpa. ICES stated that fishing mortality should not be allowed to increase from 1997, corresponding to landings of 58,000 t in 1999. ICES proposes that Bpa be set at 205000 t and Fpa be established at 0.17, which is considered to provide 95% probability of avoiding Flim. This level of F was estimated to correspond to a catch in 1999 of 58,000 t. A total catch of 69,000 t in 1999 (F = 0.21) was considered inconsistent with the precautionary approach. ICES recommended that the TAC for this stock should only apply to Trachurus trachurus and that other species of horse mackerel be excluded. The present TAC (73,000 t) includes catches of other species of horse mackerel.