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Investigation of science-based options for North Sea cod in 2014 and beyond. Dr Carl O’Brien Defra Chief Fisheries Science Adviser Seafish, Edinburgh 22 nd October 2013. NSRAC: Cod Management Focus Group. Recognise the implications of the 9% cut advised by ICES in June 2013
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Investigation of science-based options for North Sea cod in 2014 and beyond Dr Carl O’Brien Defra Chief Fisheries Science Adviser Seafish, Edinburgh 22nd October 2013 NSRAC: Cod Management Focus Group
Recognise the implications of the 9% cut advised by ICES in June 2013 • Scientific exploration of options • To note that Ministerial priorities have not been decided: • Options presented may not be pursued • Options may not be possible because of legal constraints Cod in Subarea IV (North Sea) and Divisions VIId (Eastern Channel) and IIIa West (Skagerrak) Message
Gradual improvement in recent years but still poor stock status • F well above FMSY • SSB just below Blim • Recruitment since 2000 has been poor • Proportion discarded in recent years higher than in past ICES’ advice released June 2012
If the aims are: • F-based management • Biomass rebuilding • Focus on MSY • e.g. lower limit of F range then there are alternative options outside of the MP Summary from FMAC meeting lastyear (2nd October 2012)
Decisions made should be based on: • Scientific advice • Sustainability • Need for continued discard reduction Three basic principles
Included with Defra letter to Lowri Evansdated 22nd October 2012
What about alternative options for 2014 based on this year’s ACOM advice? UK’s presented approach last year
Gradual improvement in recent years ... • F ~ 0.4 between Fpa and FMSY • SSB now in the vicinity of Blim • Recruitment since 2000 has been poor • Proportion discarded in recent years remains higher than in past ICES’ advice released June 2013
Roll-over of the 2013 TAC in 2014 [ then maintain in 2015 and 2016 to illustrate stock development] • …many other options and choices To be aware: • Joint EU-Norway request on TAC setting options ... maintaining target F=0.4 ... maintaining constant TAC • ADG (8-10 October 2013), Advice released on Friday 18 October 2013 Options: what next?
Caution –recruitment ? Cefas’ exploratory evaluations
Advice June 2013 Future recruitment/stock size?
As last year in the scenarios developed by the UK, there are alternative options to cod management outside of the MP. Once again, the aims may be: • F-based management • Biomass rebuilding • Focus on MSY • Discard reduction Summary