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

At the 75th Statutory meeting of ICES in 1987, it was decided (C.Res. 1987/2:3:16) that:

"The Working Group on the Assessment of Pelagic Stocks in Divisions Vlllc and IXa and Horse Mackerel (Chairman: Dr A.D. MacCall) would meet at ICES Headquarters from 4-11 May 1988 to:

a) evaluate any new .information available for defining stock units of horse mackerel and for identifying the relationship between the Western mackerel stock and the mackerel in Divisions Vlllc and IXa;

b) assess the status of and provide catch options for 1989 within safe biological limits for the sardine and mackerel stock in Divisions Vlllc and IXa and the horse mackerel stocks in Divisions Ila, lIla, IVa-c, and VIId, Divisions VIa, Vlla-c,ek, and Vllla,b,d,e, and Divisions VllIc and IXa;

c) evaluate the impact of the catches of large numbers of juvenile mackerel and horse mackerel and consider possible technical measures for reducing these catches;

d) if possible, assess the anchovy stock in Sub-area VIII."