REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON RESEARCH ... - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2008-2009 (I)− The Committee noted with satisfaction that extra-budgetary funds had been contributed to assist scientists ofContracting Parties to get training and participate at SCRS meetings. Consequently, it was recommended thatthe Commission insist in maintaining the participation of these same scientists in this research work.15. Responses to the Commission’s requests15.1 Calls for an evaluation of data deficiencies at ICCAT with emphasis on how such deficiencies may affectmanagement advice. Recommendation by ICCAT on compliance with statistical reporting obligations[Rec. 05-09]Recommendation 05-09 calls for an evaluation of data deficiencies at ICCAT with emphasis on how suchdeficiencies may affect management advice.The Committee reviewed the advice provided the Commission on this topic in 2007 and updated this advice.Figure 15.1.1 provides a general view of the impact of data deficiencies on the Committee’s ability to provideprecise stock assessment advice across the species of concern to ICCAT. The operative concepts adopted by theCommittee in formulating advice with respect to data deficiencies and subsequent affect on management adviceinclude:− Absence of information leads to increased and, at times, unquantifiable uncertainty in stock statusevaluations.−With increased uncertainty, more conservative (i.e. more constraining) measures need be taken to assureachieving Convention Objectives.To the degree possible, SCRS aims to characterize this uncertainty so that the Commission can weigh therelative risks and odds of achieving the objective and presents this information in its stock status summarieswritten for the Commission.Overall, the Committee characterizes the impact of data deficiencies on management advice as:−−−Lack of meeting basic obligations for data reporting has impeded SCRS from providing the type ofmanagement advice the Commission has requested.Capabilities could be enhanced substantially if many of the detailed fishery (catch-effort, etc) datasetsthat are available to National Scientists were assimilated into the Secretariat's databases.A decision by the Commission, taking into account confidentiality concerns, may be required beforesuch datasets could be submitted to the Secretariat.162