SCSA Assessment Forms

Transcription

1 GENERAL FISHERIES COMMISSION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN COMMISSION GÉNÉRALE DES PÊCHES POUR LA MÉDITERRANÉE SAC GFCM Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment > Enter <

2 Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment Tool designer (GFCM consultant) FAO backstopping officer for SCSA SCSA coordinator GFCM Bio-Statistician GFCM Deputy Executive Secretary / Adviser fisheries management Federico De Rossi Jordi Lleonart Constantina Karlou-Riga Matthew Camilleri Abdellah Srour

3 SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING THE DATA ENTRY Macro - Security settings In order to ensure the proper full working of this Data Entry System, the macros must be allowed to run. To change the security settings, please go to: Tools > Macro > Security and then select the Medium level. Close and re-open the file. Now you are ready to start by clicking on the Cover button! Control toolbox settings To visualize the Control toolbox go to: View > Toolbars > Control toolbox WARNINGS The Design Mode button must be OFF. Please do not try to Delete, Rename, Move or Copy any Excel Worksheets. Right now it is not possible to Print the completed worksheets only. Once the data entry process is completed, the file size will be increased significantly. Before sending it by , please compress the file by using any zip tool available in your pc. Colours and symbols meaning WORKSHEETS Green Not compulsory sheet Orange Compulsory sheet Red Bright green Not completed sheet Completed sheet CELLS Black asterisk * Compulsory sheet/field Turquoise White Light green Light yellow * Compulsory field not yet complited Free cell Cell with the scroll-down menu Auto-complete cell Excel shortcuts Ctrl + C Ctrl + V Copy Paste

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5 SAC GFCM Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment Release 2 (2007) beta version Since the SAC, and SCSA, inception (1999) a set of assessment forms were made available to scientists in order to provide a common framework to present assessments. It has been decided to present a new release of these forms to facilitate their use. We took advantage of these upgrade to modify and amend some aspects. We would like to receive comments and suggestions from the users in order to improve the forms. The structure of this new release is basically the same. The differences are: Migration from Word to Excel Some fields (yellow) are filled automatically Some sheets have been added o A cover sheet with title, authors, species and GSAs o A new sheet "other" allowing to include assessments based on methodologies other than the usual ones. o An abstract sheet to be included (copy/paste) in the SCSA report It is more clear what sheets or fields are compulsory to fill The sheets for direct methods have not been yet upgraded Excerpts from the presentation of 1 st version of the assessment forms (1999), however the sheet "other" can be used in such a case Each assessment consists of several sheets. Each assessment will take, at least, one sheet of paper numbered 0 (Sheet #0) and will also include no less than one copy of sheets B, P1 and P2a (now using the current "operational units" terminology). It is not compulsory to fill out any of the other sheets that make up this assessment form, but the person in charge is supposed to fill out some of them: otherwise no assessment is actually made. There may be more than one copy in several cases. Sheets D (diagnosis) and Z (conclusions and recommendations) should be considered as essential too. Sheet Title Contents # of sheets Priority 0 Preliminary basic data Species, person in charge, date and code. All the sheets that 1 Indispensable on the assessment belong to the same assessment share this code. B P1 P2a P2b G A1 A2 A3 Y Other D Z Biology of the species General information about the fishery Fishery by Operational Unit Fishery by Operational Unit Indirect methods: global model Indirect methods: VPA, LCA Indirect methods: data Indirect methods: results of VPA Indirect methods: Y/R Other assessment methods Diagnosis Objectives and recommendations Biological parameters used in the analyses (it is assumed that only one set of parameters is used). Catches by gear and associated fleet. 1 or more Indispensable Time series for the operational in question, including structure by size (or age). Accompanying species and regulations applicable to opertaonal unit. Description of model, data, parameters and results of each analysis. Description of model used and of general results of an analysis. Description of data used by gear for the analysis in A1. Detailed description of results by gear, structured by size or age. Description of model, data, parameters and results. Description of model, data, parameters and results of other assessment methods not included in the previous sheets. Synthesis of results of analyses and diagnosis on the state of resources. Set the objectives to be attained and recommendations for their attainment. 1 At least as many as the OU numbers At least as many as the OU numbers As many as used in the analysis As many as used in the analysis As many as used in the analysis by OU As many as used in the analysis by OU As many as used in the analysis Indispensable Indispensable 1 If available 1 1 If available If available If available If available, requires A1 If available, requires A1 If available Indispensable Indispensable

6 C Comments At the option of the person in charge. Unspecified If available

7 SAC GFCM Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment 1 DAY MONTH YEAR Date* 30 October 2009 Code* ANE2209Gia Authors* Giannoulaki M., Somarakis S., Machias A., Kalianiotis A., Papaconstantnou C. Affiliation* Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Fisheries Research Institute GFCM Priority S Engraulis encrasicolus - ANE ANE Species Scientific name* Source: GFCM Priority Species Source: - Source: - Geographical area* Mediterranean FAO 3.1 Aegean Sea Geographical Sub-Area (GSA)* Combination of GSAs Aegean Sea

8 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet #0 Basic data on the assessment 1 Date* 30 Code: ANE2209Gia Oct 2009 Authors* Giannoulaki M., Somarakis S., Machias A., Kalianiotis A., Papaconstantnou C. Species Scientific name* Engraulis encrasicolus - ANE Data Source GSA* Aegean Sea Description of the analysis Type of data* Method of assessment* Engraulis encrasicolus - ANE Landings, Biological sampling, acoustics,depm Integrated Catch at Age analysis Species common name* Anchovy Period of time* HCMR sampling network, acoustic survey, Data source* DEPM survey ICA v. 1.4 Patterson 1998, FLR & FLICA Software used* Sheets filled out B P1 P2a P2b G A1 A2 A3 Y Other D Z C #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! 1 1 #REF! 0 1 #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! 1 0 #REF! #REF! 1 1 #REF! Comments, bibliography, etc. 679 Results are presented from the stock assessment of the Aegean Sea (GSA 22) anchovy stock by Integrated Catch at age analysis (ICA). Integrated Catch at age analysis (Patterson and Melvin 1996) uses separable virtual population analysis (VPA) (Pope & Shepherd, 1985) with weighted tuning indices. ICA was applied for the Aegean anchovy tock and it was based on commercial catch data ( ) and tuning indices were the biomass estimates from acoustic surveys and Daily Egg Production Method (DEPM) estimates over the period (with a gap in 2007, as no acoustic survey data were available for this year) that were used as relative and absolute indices of abundance, respectively. Different natural mortality values were applied for age group but constant for all years based on ProBiom (Abella et al 1997). Comments, bibliography, etc Sheet #0 (page 2)

9 References Abella A., Caddy J., Serena F., Do natural mortality and availability decline with age? An alternative yield paradigm for juvenile fisheries, illustrated by the hake Merluccius merluccius in the Mediterranean. Aquat. Living Resour., 10: Needle C.L The Ins and Outs of ICA. Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen Report No 04/00 Patterson K., Fisheries for small pelagic species: an empirical approach to management targets. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 2, Patterson K.R Integrated catch-at-age analysis, v.1.4. Aberdeen, Marine Laboratory. Pope J., Shepherd J. G., A comparison of the performance of various methods for tuning VPAs using effort data. J. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer, 42:

10 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet B Biology of the species Biology Somatic magnitude measured (LH, LC, etc)* Sex Fem Mal Both Unsexed Maximum size observed Size at first maturity Recruitment size Units* Reproduction season Reproduction areas Nursery areas Code: ANE2209Gia Summer Coastal waters Parameters used (state units and information sources) Growth model Length weight relationship L K t0 Data source a b Sex Units female male both unsexed 191 0,385-1,559 otoliths 0, ,1157 M iable with age sex ratio (mal/fem) Comments 1254 Biological sampling derived from various european & national sampling programmes for the period and it was used for Weight-Length relationships, length frequency distribution and ALK estimation. Sampling procedures involved either separate length and age sampling or representative age sampling. Maturity at age was estimated based on biological samples from commercial and research vessels collected during the spawning season; weighted maturity ogive was used according to SSB biomass and the results of acoustic surveys. Different natural mortality were applied per age group but constant for all years based on ProdBiom (Abella et al., 1997) and the following values were used. Age0 Age1 Age2 Age3 Age

11 Comments 4000 Sheet B (page 2)

12 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet P1 General information about the fishery Code: ANE2209Gia Data source* HCMR Sampling Network Data aggregation (by year, average By year figures between years, etc.)* Year (s)* Fleet and catches (please state units) Operational Unit 1* Operational Unit 2 Operational Unit 3 Operational Unit 4 Operational Unit 5 Country GRC GSA 22 Fleet Segment H - Purse Seine (12-24 metres) Fishing Gear Class 02 - Seine Nets Group of Target Species 31 - Small gregarious pelagic Species ANE Operational Units* GRC 22 H ANE Fleet (n of boats)* Kilos or Tons 154 Tons Catch (species assessed) Other species caught inella aurita, Trac Discards (species assessed) Discards (other species caught) Effort units Total Legal minimum size 9 cm TL Comments The catch (landings) is not split by Fleet segments. It comprised tons in 2008 for the Greek part of Aegean Sea. Discards consist less than 1% of the total landings, reaching approximately 0.1% data for the Greek part of GSA 22. Pages P2a and P2b are filled considering the three fleet segments as a unique pelagic fleet. Comments Sheet P1 (page 2)

13 Comments

14 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet P2a Fishery by Operational Unit Code: ANE2209Gia #REF! Data source* HCMR sampling network, several EU & national p OpUnit 1* GRC 22 H ANE Time series Year* Catch Minimum size Average size Lc Maximum size Fleet Year Catch Minimum size Average size Lc Maximum size Fleet Selectivity L25 L50 L75 Selection factor Remarks 200 Structure by size or age Catches (tonnes) Year

15 #REF! Structure by size or age 0.6 % TL (mm) No individuals (x 1000) Year Age 0 Age 1 Age 2 Age 3 Age 4 An increasing trend in anchovy reported landings has been observed reaching approximately t in This increase was mostly observed on groups 1 and 2 and these age groups were the most represented in the catches.

16 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet P2b Fishery by Operational Unit Code: ANE2209Gia #### Data source* Official Statistics OpUnit 1* GRC 22 H ANE Regulations in force and degree of observance of regulations Fishing license: fully observed Minimum landing size 9 cm: not fully observed. Several technical measures and regulations (minimum distance from shore, gear and mesh size, engine, GRT, etc...): not fully observed Closed season (15th December till end of February): fully observed. Accompanying species The most important are: Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) Mediterranean Horse Mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) Other Horse Mackerels (Trachurus trachurus) Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) Round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) Bogue (Boops boops) #REF!

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18 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet A1 Indirect methods: VPA, LCA Sex* BOTH Code: ANE2209Gia #REF! Time series Analysis # * ICA Data (mark with X) Size x Age x Model (mark with X) Cohorts Pseudocohorts Equation used # of gears F terminal ICA Purse seines Fmean ages 1-3 Tunig method Software ICA ICA v.1.4, Patterson 1998, FLR & FLICA Population results (please state units) Sizes Minimum 35 Average Maximum 157 Critical Ages 0 3+ Recruitment Average population Virgin population Turnover Amount 008: 135 mil ind Biomass Average mortality F 1 Total F_2008=0.331 Gear F 2 Z 1,1316 (F1 and F2 represent different possible calculations. Please state them) Comments 522 Model basic assumptions Reference F is Fmean1-3 (average of ages 1 to 3, which are considered the reference ages of this fishery). Eight years of separable constraints were applied. Separable VPA results show no unusual pattern of Log catchability residuals. ICA main settings were Fmean for age groups 1-3; Age 2 was considered the reference age for the fishery. Different natural mortality were applied per age group but constant for all years based on ProdBiom (Abella et al., 1997) and the following values were used. Age0 Age1 Age2 Age3 Age Catchability for the DEPM index is assumed as absolute indicator of Biomass, linear catchability relationship is assumed for the acoustic surveys. Catchability regarding landings was considered constant with time. Ages 0, 4 and 5 were underweighted in the landings (0.01, 0.01 and 0.3 respectively) based on their percentage in the catch. Age 1 was also underweighted in the acoustic surveys (0.5).

19 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet A2 Indirect methods: data Code: ANE2209Gia Sex* Both Gear* Purse Seines Analysis # * ICA Data source Input data for ICA Data Biomass (ton) TB SSB

20 Recruitment Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet A3 Indirect methods: VPA results Sex* Gear* Analysis #* Code: ANE2209Gia #REF! Population in figures Year Population in biomass SSB (tonnes) Year Fishing mortality rates F Year E Year

21 SAC GFCM Fitted catch - Sub-Committee diagnostics on Stock Assessment (SCSA) a) Catch Residuals b) Selection Pattern Sheet A3 Assessment form The Indirect model fit methods: is quite VPA good, results showing no specific pattern in the distribution Code: of the ANE2209Gia residuals regarding the #REF! catches and the surveys. Sex* Gear* Analysis #* Age Year Selectivity Age Population in figures Marginal Total c) Year Residuals Year Marginal Total d) Age Residuals Age ACOUSTIC SURVEYS (ages 1 to 3+), age 1, diagnostics ACOUSTIC SURVEYS (ages 1 to 3+), age 2, diagnostics a) Observed and fitted index time series b) Catchability a) Observed and fitted index time series b) Catcha Index [10 6 ] Observed Fitted Population in biomass Year Index [10 6 ] Fitted linear model 95% CI of fit Estimated Stock Numbers, age 1 [10 6 ] Index [10 6 ] Observed Fitted Year Index [10 6 ] Fitted linear model Estimated Stock Num c) Index residuals over time d) Index residuals vs stock c) Index residuals over time d) Index residu Log Residuals Log Residuals Log Residuals Log Residuals Year Estimated Stock Numbers, age 1 [10 6 ] Year Estimated Stock Num e) Normal Q-Q plot e) Normal Q-Q plot Log Residuals Fit 90% Conf. Int. Fishing mortality rates Normal Quantiles Log Residuals Fit 90% Conf. Int Normal Quantiles ACOUSTIC SURVEYS (ages 1 to 3+), age 3, diagnostics DEPM, diagnostics a) Observed and fitted index time series b) Catchability a) Observed and fitted index time series b) Catchability Index [10 3 ] Observed Fitted Index [10 3 ] Fitted linear model 95% CI of fit Index [10 3 ] Observed Fitted Index [10 3 ] Fitted absolute model 95% Year Estimated Stock Numbers, age 3 [10 3 ] Year Estimated Biomass [1 c) Index residuals over time d) Index residuals vs stock c) Index residuals over time d) Index residuals vs Log Residuals Log Residuals Log Residuals Log Residuals Year Estimated Stock Numbers, age 3 [10 3 ] Year Estimated Biomass [1 e) Normal Q-Q plot e) Normal Q-Q plot Log Residuals Fit 90% Conf. Int Normal Quantiles Log Residuals Fit 90% Conf. Int Normal Quantiles

22 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet D Diagnosis Indicators and reference points Code: ANE2209Gia Criterion B SSB F Y CPUE E Current Reference Units value Point Trend t increasinica estimations t increasinica estimations 0,349 0,4 average of the last 5 years Comments Stock Status* Use one (or both) of the following two systems for the stock assessment status description Unidimensional FALSE FALSE FALSE TRUE FALSE FALSE? - (or blank) Not known or uncertain. Not much information is available to make a judgment; U - Underexploited, undeveloped or new fishery. Believed to have a significant potential for expansion in total production; M - Moderately exploited, exploited with a low level of fishing effort. Believed to have some limited potential for expansion in total production; F - Fully exploited. The fishery is operating at or close to an optimal yield level, with no expected room for further expansion; O - Overexploited. The fishery is being exploited at above a level which is believed to be sustainable in the long term, with no potential room for further expansion and a higher risk of stock depletion/collapse; D - Depleted. Catches are well below historical levels, irrespective of the amount of fishing effort exerted; FALSE R - Recovering. Catches are again increasing after having been depleted or a collapse from a previous; Bidimensional FALSE FALSE FALSE TRUE FALSE FALSE Exploitation rate No or low fishing Moderate fishing High fishing mortality Uncertain / Not assessed TRUE FALSE Stock abundance Virgin or high abundance Intermediate abundance Low abundance FALSE Depleted Uncertain / Not assessed

23 Sheet D (page 2) Comments 2962 This assessment suggestions should be taken as cautionary, as this ICA assessment for this area it is based on a short time series of data.the major component of the stock were the 1-year-old and 2- year-old-anchovy (i.e. the recruitment to the fishery). SSB estimates is showing an increase and recovery of the stock. Fishing mortality seems to stay in the same level since Precautionary the use of F(E0.4) that assures exploitation rate below the empirical level for stock decline (E<0.4, Patterson 1992) for small pelagics is suggested as preferable reference point.the average exploitation rate for the recent five years of the time series available (E= 0.349) was suggested in order to advice on the exploitation status of the stock. Monitoring should be continued on an annual basis and a time series extension is required in order to be able to suggest reliable and effective Reference Points for this fishery. Monitoring of the status of the stock with fisheries independent techniques is essential for this fishery.

24 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet Z Objectives and recommendations Code: ANE2209Gia Management advice and recommendations* 2679 Based on on ICA results the mean F (for ages 1 to 3) showed a decrease since 2003 showing a rather plane pattern at a lower level. Conclusions based on this assessment should be considered cautionary, as they are based on a short time series of data, not suitable to suggest reference points of Blim. Taking into account that anchovy is a short lived species characterized by high fluctuations in abundance and recruitment strongly depending on environmental conditions, it is advisable that current results only precautionary should be used for management advice. Precautionary the use of F(E0.4) that assures exploitation rate below the empirical level for stock decline (E<0.4, Patterson 1992) for small pelagics is suggested as preferable reference point and the average exploitation rate for the recent five years of the time series (E=0.349) available was suggested in order to advice on the exploitation status of the stock. Based on this assessment results and the aforementioned parameters this stock is considered to be harvested sustainably, operating below but close to an optimal yield level, with no expected room for further expansion. However this has to be confirmed in following years and the anchovy stock should be monitored in an annual basis with direct assessment surveys. Advice for scientific research* 4000

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26 Assessment form SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Sheet C Comments Code: ANE2209Gia #REF! Comments* 2636 Conclussions - Assessment: Conclusions based on this assessment should be considered as cautionary, as they are based on a short time series of data, not suitable to suggest reference points of Blim. Taking into account that anchovy is a short lived species characterized by high fluctuations in abundance and recruitment strongly depending on environmental conditions, it is advisable that current results only precautionary should be used for management advice. Based on this assessment results and the aforementioned parameters this stock is considered to be harvested sustainably, operating below but close to an optimal yield level, with no expected room for further expansion. However this has to be confirmed in following years and the anchovy stock should be monitored in an annual basis with direct assessment surveys. Therefore, by these results we consider fishing effort should not increase beyond the current levels. The likely consequences of changing the closed period for the purse seine fishery should be analysed. Since the fishery is considered a multispecies fishery targeting both anchovy and sardine, a shift in the closed fishing period (present middle December till the end of February) towards the recruitment period of anchovy (October to December) or the recruitment period of sardine (February to April) should be examined.

27 SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Abstract for SCSA reporting Authors Giannoulaki M., Somarakis S., Machias A., Kalianiotis A., Papaconstantnou C. Year Species Scientific name Engraulis encrasicolus - ANE Source: GFCM Priority Species Source: - Source: - Geographical Sub-Area 22 - Aegean Sea Fisheries (brief description of the fishery)* 812 In GSA 22 (Greek part) anchovy is almost exclusively exploited by the purse seine fleet. Pelagic trawls GSA are banned and benthic trawls are allowed to fish small pelagics in percentages less than 5% of their total catch. Regarding the regulations enforced they concern a closed period from the mid December till the end of February and technical measures such as minimum distance from shore, gear and mesh size, engine, GR. There is a minimum landing size at 9 cm. Discards values are less than 1%, reaching approximately 0.06% data for GSA 22. Data of the landings per vessel class indicate that small vessels (12-24 m) are mainly responsible for anchovy catches (>70% of sardine catches).

28 Source of management advice* (brief description of material -data- and methods used for the assessment) 925 This This assess assessment is based on fishery independent surveys information as well as on Integrated Catch at Age (ICA) analysis model. Acoustic surveys estimations were used for Total Biomass estimates. ICA assessment method uses separable virtual population analysis (VPA) with weighted tuning indices. The application of ICA was based on commercial catch data ( ) and as tuning indices were used the biomass estimates from acoustic surveys estimates and DEPM surveys estimates over the period with a gap in 2007, as no surveys data were available for this year. Stock Status* F - Fully exploited. The fishery is operating at or close to an optimal yield level, with no expected room for further expansion; Exploitation rate Moderate fishing mortality Comments Stock abundance Intermediate abundance This assessment suggestions should be taken as cautionary, as this ICA assessment for this area it is based on a short time series of data.the major component of the stock were the 1-year-old and 2-year-old-anchovy (i.e. the recruitment to the fishery). SSB estimates is showing an increase and recovery of the stock. Fishing mortality seems to stay in the same level since Precautionary the use of F(E0.4) that assures exploitation rate below the empirical level for stock decline (E<0.4, Patterson 1992) for small pelagics is suggested as preferable reference point.the average exploitation rate for the recent five years of the time series available (E= 0.349) was suggested in order to advice on the exploitation status of the stock. Monitoring should be continued on an annual basis and a time series extension is required in order to be able to suggest reliable and effective Reference Points for this fishery. Monitoring of the status of the stock with fisheries independent techniques is essential for this fishery.

29 Management advice and recommendations* 1 Based on ICA results the mean F (for ages 1 to 3) showed a decrease since 2003 showing a rather plane pattern at a lower level. Conclusions based on this assessment should be considered cautionary, as they are based on a short time series of data, not suitable to suggest reference points of Blim. Taking into account that anchovy is a short lived species characterized by high fluctuations in abundance and recruitment strongly depending on environmental conditions, it is advisable that current results only precautionary should be used for management advice. Precautionary the use of F(E0.4) that assures exploitation rate below the empirical level for stock decline (E<0.4, Patterson 1992) for small pelagics is suggested as preferable reference point and the average exploitation rate for the recent five years of the time series (E=0.349) available was suggested in order to advice on the exploitation status of the stock. Based on this assessment results and the aforementioned parameters this stock is considered to be harvested sustainably, operating below but close to an optimal yield level, with no expected room for further expansion. However this has to be confirmed in following years and the anchovy stock should be monitored in an annual basis with direct assessment surveys.

30 Advice for scientific research* 0

31 SAC GFCM - Sub-Committee on Stock Assessment (SCSA) Assessment of Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus - ANE ) from 22 - Aegean Sea. Giannoulaki M., Somarakis S., Machias A., Kalianiotis A., Papaconstantnou C. Description of fishery: In GSA 22 (Greek part) anchovy is almost exclusively exploited by the purse seine fleet. Pelagic trawls are banned and benthic trawls are allowed to fish small pelagics in percentages less than 5% of their total catch. Regarding the regulations enforced they concern a closed period from the mid December till the end of February and technical measures such as minimum distance from shore, gear and mesh size, engine, GR. There is a minimum landing size at 9 cm. Discards values are less than 1%, reaching approximately 0.06% data for GSA 22. Data of the landings per vessel class indicate that small vessels (12-24 m) are mainly responsible for anchovy catches (>70% of sardine catches). Source of management advice: This assessment is based on fishery independent surveys information as well as on Integrated Catch at Age (ICA) analysis model. Acoustic surveys estimations were used for Total Biomass estimates. ICA assessment method uses separable virtual population analysis (VPA) with weighted tuning indices. The application of ICA was based on commercial catch data ( ) and as tuning indices were used the biomass estimates from acoustic surveys estimates and DEPM surveys estimates over the period with a gap in 2007, as no surveys data were available for this year. Exploitation rate: Moderate fishing mortality Stock abundance: Intermediate abundance Comments: This assessment suggestions should be taken as cautionary, as this ICA assessment for this area it is based on a short time series of data.the major component of the stock were the 1-year-old and 2-year-old-anchovy (i.e. the recruitment to the fishery). SSB estimates is showing an increase and recovery of the stock. Fishing mortality seems to stay in the same level since Precautionary the use of F(E0.4) that assures exploitation rate below the empirical level for stock decline (E<0.4, Patterson 1992) for small pelagics is suggested as preferable reference point.the average exploitation rate for the recent five years of the time series available (E= 0.349) was suggested in order Management advice and recommendation: Based on ICA results the mean F (for ages 1 to 3) showed a decrease since 2003 showing a rather plane pattern at a lower level. Conclusions based on this assessment should be considered cautionary, as they are based on a short time series of data, not suitable to suggest reference points of Blim. Taking into account that anchovy is a short lived species characterized by high fluctuations in abundance and recruitment strongly depending on environmental conditions, it is advisable that current results only precautionary should be used for management advice. Advice for scientific research:

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