Report of the Working Group on the Assessment of Pelagic Stocks in Divisions Vlllc and IXa and Horse Mackerel

At the 74th Statutory Meeting of ICES in 1986, it was decided (C.Res. 1986/2:5:15) that the Working Group on the Assessment of Pelagic Stocks in Divisions VIlle and IXa and Horse Mackerel (Chairman: Ms G. Pestana) would meet at ICES headquarters from 22-28 April 1987 to:

a) re-examine the value for natural mortality (M) used for sardine;

b) assess the status of within safe biological Divisions Vlllc and IXai and provided limits for catch options for 1988 the sardine stock in

c) review the information available to define stock units of horse mackerel in Sub-areas IV, VI, VII, VIII, and IXi

d) evaluate the possibilities for assessing horse mackerel in Sub-areas IV, VI, VII, VIII, and IX, and mackerel in Divisions VIIIc and IXa.