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

ICCAT REPORT 2008-2009 (I)since then. This program, which is carried out in contact with the ICCAT Secretariat has resulted in thedeployment of 400 conventional tags in 2007.2.2.4 BFT ageing coordinationAtlantic bluefin tuna length distributions of baitboat fisheries, both in the Bay of Biscay and areas close to theStrait of Gibraltar, as well as trap catches from the Spanish Atlantic coast were converted to age distributionsusing age length keys from calcified structures. Relative abundance and mean size by age analyses wereaccomplished in search of an exceptionally abundant cohort in the last 20 years. Results showed a relationshipbetween juveniles’ fisheries in the Bay of Biscay and the Strait of Gibraltar (SCRS/2008/066).New information (SCRS/2008/084) presented a novel approach for determining age and area of natal origin fromthe same otolith, allowing construction of area-specific growth curves. The preliminary results divergeconsiderably from the age-length relationship used by the SCRS for the western stock, and could have significantimpacts for estimates of stock productivity (SCRS/2008/091). Estimated growth from age interpretations ofjuvenile bluefin tuna vertebrae was compared across two different cohorts. Analysis of covariance indicated thatgrowth rates were the same between the two cohorts and future work was proposed for additional cohorts andage groups (SCRS/2008/168).3. BYP Research Plan for 2008-2009The following research plans are determined as BYP funded projects:3.1 Data mining purse seine catch and effort for bluefin tuna in Norway during 1950-1970Detailed purse seine catch and effort data for bluefin is quite important to investigate the CPUE during the 1950-1970, as this index will be used in the east Atlantic bluefin tuna stock assessment. Detailed logbook data areavailable and will be digitized.3.2 Tuna larval survey in the eastern Mediterranean by TurkeyIn order to determine the spatial distribution and abundance of tuna larvae, Turkey is planning a larval cruise inJune 2009 in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. A commercial Turkish trawler is used and about 90 bongo net towsare scheduled. Turkey has undertaken bluefin larval survey during the past years. It is also essential to holdworkshops and/or meetings with the purpose of establishing a common sampling strategy, methodologies, andsolving taxonomic issues in the identification of bluefin larvae.3.3 Biological sampling in MoroccoBiological samples and various size measurements data will be collected from fishes caught in the MoroccanAtlantic traps targeting the adults during the period from April to August. Biological samples include gonad,otolith, tissue, spine, liver and vertebrae. The sampling will be conducted with a frequency of 10 days per month,by two biologists and a technician, during the trap fishing season (May-June); a total of 20 sampling days will bespent in tuna traps.3.4 Tagging coordination meetingVarious tagging activities are being conducted in the Mediterranean Sea as well as east Atlantic. In order tobetter exchange information and to coordinate these activities, some coordination meeting is necessary.4. Other Research Plan for 2008-2009In addition to these plans, various research projects are going to be executed utilizing other fund.The TUNIBAL research team has submitted a project proposal under the Spanish Research Council (SpanishMinistry of Education) which contemplated a global study on the bluefin spawning habitat using the TUNIBALsurvey series dating from 2001 to 2005.198