STECF EXPERT WORKING GROUP EWG 15-11

Transcription

1 STECF EXPERT WORKING GROUP EWG Mediterranean assessments Part I 31 August 4 September 2015, Palma de Mallorca, Spain DG MARE focal persons: Xavier Vazquez & Amanda Perez Chair: Massimiliano Cardinale The European hake (Merluccius merluccius) is one of the most common demersal stocks assessed as overfished in the Mediterranean Sea. The current levels of fishing mortality in the Western part of the basin can exceed by up to 10 times those levels that would be necessary to ensure maximum sustainable yields. Associated species, such as red mullets or crustaceans, are also affected by the high levels of overfishing. In light of the worrying situation, the preparation of a Commission proposal for a multiannual plan for demersal species in the Western Mediterranean Sea is a priority for the European Union. This is reflected in the actions carried out during the last year. A specific STECF- EWG was held in June to perform quantitative analyses to support the impact assessment of different management scenarios (e.g., fishery managed through national management plans versus the implementation of a multiannual plan). From the results, the STECF considered multiannual plans as the best tool to achieve the reduction of fishing mortality needed. Besides, a call for immediate actions was given for the stock of hake in the Northern Spain where it was observed a clear pattern of decreasing recruitment and a high exploitation rate targeting young individuals. A parallel study on the potential stock distribution of the main commercial species in the Mediterranean Sea has been undertaken by the EU 2. This study suggested that there may be two stocks of hake in the Western Mediterranean Sea: one distributed from the Alboran Sea to the Gulf of Lion and another from the Gulf of Lion to the Strait of Sicily and beyond. In this regard, the EWG will assess the state of hake stocks in the Western Mediterranean Sea following two approaches (by single GSAs and combined GSAs), as well as other associated species. The EWG is also requested to provide MSY values and safeguards points which are considered essential elements for the preparation of the multiannual plan. 1 Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) Western Mediterranean Multi-annual Plan (STECF-15-09) Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, EUR XXXX EN, JRC XXXX, 97 pp. 2 Fiorentino F., E. Massutì, F. Tinti, S. Somarakis, G. Garofalo, T. Russo, M.T. Facchini, P.Carbonara, K. Kapiris, P. Tugores, R. Cannas, C. Tsigenopoulos, B. Patti, F. Colloca, M. Sbrana, R. Mifsud, V. Valavanis, and M.T. Spedicato, Stock units: Identification of distinct biological units (stock units) for different fish and shellfish species and among different GFCM-GSA. STOCKMED Deliverable 03: FINAL REPORT. September 2014, 310 p. Page 1

2 As a continuation of the work already launched on the multiannual plan for small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea (see reports STECF-14-17, STECF-15-06, PLEN-15-01, PLEN-15-02), the EWG is also requested to update the state of anchovy and sardine stocks taking into account the latest recommendations made by the STECF. At that point, it is expected that the EWG will be able to estimate candidate MSY values and safeguard points for both species. TERMS OF REFERENCE GENERAL GUIDELINES: unless the data used and information provided comes from the official DCF data calls, the experts are requested to indicate the data source from where certain information has been taken (e.g. L-W relationships, prices, etc.) or if it is an experts' reasoned guess. Data collected outside the DCF and/or delivered to the meeting by non-eu scientists shall be used as well and merged with DCF data whenever necessary and following quality check. Due account shall also be given to data used and assessments carried out within the FAO regional projects co-funded by the European Commission and EU-Member States in particular when using data collected through the DCF/DCR and EU funded research projects, studies and other types of EU funding. The raw data used to generate the input data, assessment scripts as well as input files should be made available to the JRC for reproducibility of the assessments and documentation. The STECF-EWG is requested to address the following Terms of Reference: Stock assessments ToR 1. Assess trends in historic and recent stock parameters for the longest time series possible available up to and including 2014, for the stocks proposed in Annex I. This shall cover the evaluation of the level of fishing mortality at age, spawning stock biomass, stock biomass, and recruits at age. Data on fishing effort shall be provided by fleet segments and shall be the most detailed possible to support the establishment of a fishing effort or capacity baseline. Different assessment models should be applied as appropriate, including analyses of retrospective effects. ToR 2. Propose and evaluate candidate MSY value or range of values and safeguard points in terms of fishing mortality and stock biomass. The proposed values shall be related to longterm high yields and low risk of stock/fishery collapse and ensure that the exploitation levels restore and maintain marine biological resources at least at levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield. Page 2

3 ToR 3. Provide short and medium 3 term forecasts of spawning stock biomass, stock biomass and catches. The forecasts shall include different management scenarios, inter alia: zero catch, the status quo fishing mortality, and target to F MSY or other appropriate proxy by 2018 and In particular, predict: i) The level of fishing mortality which minimize the risk of SSB falling below B lim with a 5% probability and provide MSY or maximize the total yield from the stock in the long term; and ii) The level of fishing effort exerted by different fleet segments which is commensurate to the sustainable short-term and medium-term forecasts of the proposed changes. ToR 4. On the basis of the existing information, prepare and/or up-date maps showing areas and periods with high occurrence of juveniles and/or spawners of Merluccius merluccius, Aristeus antennatus and Aristaeomorpha foliacea. ToR 5. Provide a synoptic overview of: (i) the fishery; (ii) the most recent state of the stock (spawning stock biomass, stock biomass, recruits, and, if possible, exploitation level by fleet segment); (iii) the source of data and methods and; (iv) the management advice, including MSY value or range of values and safeguard points. ToR 6. Summarize and concisely describe all data quality deficiencies, including possible limitations with the surveys, of relevance for the assessment of stocks and fisheries. Such review and description are to be based on the data format of the official DCF data calls for the Mediterranean Sea issued on April Small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea ToR 7. Taking the outcomes of an ad-hoc contract 4 into account, re-evaluate the timing of spawning, recruitment and maturation with respect to the fishery and the assessment for the stocks of anchovy and sardine in GSAs ToR 8. Review the catch-at-age data of the acoustic survey for sardine and anchovy with a view to improve their low internal consistency. ToR 9. Assess trends in historic and recent stock parameters for the longest time series possible available up to and including 2014, for the stocks of anchovy and sardine across GSA 17 and 18. This shall cover the evaluation of the level of fishing mortality exerted by different fleet segments, fishing mortality at age, spawning stock biomass, stock biomass, and 3 Medium term forecast only when an acceptable stock-recruitment relationship is identifiable. 4 Commitment No. SI Multiannual plan on the small pelagic stocks in the Adriatic Sea: necessary elements from the STECF (24 July 2015). Page 3

4 recruits at age. Different assessment models should be applied as appropriate, including analyses of retrospective effects. ToR 10. Propose and evaluate candidate MSY value or range of values and safeguard points in terms of fishing mortality and stock biomass. The proposed values shall be related to longterm high yields and low risk of stock/fishery collapse and ensure that the exploitation levels restore and maintain marine biological resources at least at levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield. ToR 11. Update the available simulations with more recent data from 2014 and test further management strategy evaluations to safeguard SSB of falling below B lim with 5% probabilities (e.g., shorter advice to implementation cycles, escapement strategies with a capped F). *** Page 4

5 ANNEX I Table I List of suggested stocks to be assessed by the STECF-EWG Geographical Sub-Areas Common name Scientific name Priority GSA 1 Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSA 5 Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSA 6 Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSA 7 Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSA 8 * Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSA 9 Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSA 10 Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSA 11 Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSAs 1_7 Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSAs 8 * _11 Hake Merluccius merluccius High GSA 9 Giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea Medium GSA 10 Giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea Medium GSA 11 Giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea Medium GSA 6 Blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus High GSA 1 Blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus High Table II Reserve list of stocks. To be used in case it is not possible to carry out an evaluation of those stocks listed in Table I. Geographical Sub-Areas Common name Scientific name Priority GSA 7 Sole Solea solea High GSA 1 Deep water pink shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris High GSA 6 Deep water pink shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris High GSA 10 Deep water pink shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris High GSA 1 Anglerfish Lophius budegassa Medium GSA 5 Anglerfish Lophius budegassa Medium GSA 6 Anglerfish Lophius budegassa Medium * Although a full analytical assessment may not be possible to perform for hake in GSA 8, the EWG is requested to provide a preliminary analysis with some elements such as the level of fishing mortality, fishing effort, CPUE or survey indexes, even if the time series are limited. Page 5