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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ALBALB-4. OutlookNorth AtlanticThe assessment indicated that the spawning stock will decline from the levels estimated in 2005 over the nextfew years, particularly given the fact that the 2006 catch was higher than the 2005 level (Figure 11).The spawning stock response to different catch levels after the next few years depends upon the real strength ofthe 2003 year class, which our assessment indicates could be relatively strong, although we do not haveconfidence in the overall level.South AtlanticThe assessment indicates that the spawning stock will increase from the levels estimated in 2005 over the nextfew years, assuming catches in 2006 and 2007 remain about the 2005 level, which is below the estimatedreplacement yield of about 29,000 t (Figure 9)ALB-5. Effects of current regulationsNorth AtlanticSince 2001, the Commission established a total allowable catch (TAC) of 34,500 t for this stock and, in 2003extended it to 2007. Furthermore, a 1998 recommendation that limits fishing capacity to the average of 1993-1995, remains in force. The Committee noted that reported 2001-2004 catches had been below the TAC, but that2005 and 2006 catches were above TAC. However, the 2007 reported catch of 21,549 t, well below the TAC(ALB-Table 1).South AtlanticSince 1999, the Commission established the total allowable catch (TAC) for this stock (in 2001-2003 the TAChas been set to 29,200 t) and since then has been extended until 2007. The Committee noted that reported catchesin 2007 were well below the TAC.MediterraneanThere are no ICCAT regulations directly aimed at managing the Mediterranean albacore stock.ALB-6. Management recommendationsNorth AtlanticThe total allowable catch (TAC) for the northern albacore stock until 2007 was 34,500 t. The Committee notedthat the reported catches for 2005 and 2006 were over the TAC and that the 2007 catch was well below the TAC.Furthermore, stock projections indicated that the northern stock will not recover from the overfished conditionsif catch levels remain over 30,000 t. If strong year classes enter the fishery, which is uncertain but suggested bysome CPUE series, the stock would recover faster. In 2007, the Commission implemented [Rec. 07-02], intendedto reduce the TAC to 30,200 t in 2008 and 2009 and allow the rebuilding of the northern albacore stock from theoverfished condition. However, it was noted that the fishing opportunities provided in [Rec. 07-02] allow thepotential catch to exceed the TAC (ALB-Figure 2a).South AtlanticIn the case of the southern stock, the present TAC is 29,200 t. Recent catches were below the TAC level. Theassessment showed that the southern stock is overfished; model projections indicated that catches, at about the2006 level, will recover the stock. The observed 2007 catch was, however, even lower. The Committeeconsidered that the current management regulations are sufficient for the recovery of the southern stock. In 2007,the Commission recommended [Rec. 07-03] adopting a catch limit of 29,900 t (the lowest estimate of MSY)until 2011.57