E - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2012-2013 (I)
measure for hammerhead sharks. The Chair of the SCRS said that the SCRS is not in a position to answer this
question.
5.4.1 Blue shark
The results of the last assessment in 2008 showed that the biomass was above MSY and fishing mortality was
below F MSY for both the North and South Atlantic stocks.
5.4.2 Shortfin mako
An assessment of North and South Atlantic shortfin mako sharks was conducted in 2012; the SCRS Chair noted
(with gratitude) that reporting had increased. The assessment suggested that the stocks are not overfished and
overfishing is not occurring.
The United States asked why the SCRS remained concerned about the status of this species if it seems that
shortfin mako sharks stocks are in good condition, and the Chair of the SCRS explained that it was related to
uncertainties and inconsistencies in historical data. Taking into consideration the continued high vulnerability
ranking in the ERA, results from the modeling approaches used in the assessment, the associated uncertainty,
and the relatively low productivity of shortfin mako sharks, the SCRS recommended as a precautionary approach
that the fishing mortality of shortfin mako sharks should not be increased until more reliable stock assessment
results are available.
Japan asked when the SCRS would conduct the next stock assessment on shortfin mako, and the SCRS Chair
responded that the assessment should be conducted every four years.
5.4.3 Porbeagle
The southern stock has very limited data, but is probably below B MSY and fishing mortality is near F MSY . Both
the northeast and northwest stocks are below B MSY and fishing mortality is very close to or exceeds F MSY . The
SCRS recommended a precautionary approach and called for additional data. The SCRS Chair also
recommended collaboration with other RFMOs in the area to improve the status of stocks. Fishing should not
exceed current levels and new fisheries should be prevented.
6. Measures for the conservation of stocks and implementation of the ICCAT Criteria for the Allocation of
Fishing Possibilities [Ref. 01-25]
6.1 Documents introduced by the Secretariat
The Secretariat introduced the “Development of Fishing/Management Plans for North Atlantic Swordfish” as
required by paragraph 3 of Recommendation 11-02. The Secretariat noted that they developed a form to assist
CPCs with reporting but that only four CPCs followed the form (Brazil, China, EU-Spain, and Chinese Taipei).
Seven other CPCs submitted plans but did not follow the form (Belize, Canada, France-St. Pierre and Miquelon,
Japan, Korea, Senegal, and the United States). Morocco submitted their plan after the deadline.
The Secretariat also introduced “Information in Relation to Reports on Shark and Other By-catch Species”. This
year, the Secretariat received information on by-catch of 45 species. This document includes summaries of plans
submitted by CPCs for improving data collection for species-specific shark data; Brazil, China, Egypt, Iceland,
Korea, Morocco submitted such plans. The document also includes information on seabird interactions and
mitigation efforts.
There were no comments or questions on either document.
6.2 Sharks
6.2.1 Shark Action Plan
Japan introduced their proposal “Draft Recommendation by ICCAT on a Shark Action Plan”, which includes an
explanatory note. Japan commented that ICCAT has adopted many recommendations on sharks, often including
the phrase “sharks caught in association with ICCAT species”. Japan is concerned since some vessels target
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