Hawaii FEP - Western Pacific Fishery Council

ecommendation of Restrepo et al. (1998) and is dependent on the natural mortality rate (M). Thevalue of M to be used to determine the MSST is not specified in this document. The latestestimate, published annually in the SAFE report, is used, and the value is occasionally reestimatedusing the best available information.Table 23: Overfishing Threshold Specifications: NWHI Lobster StocksMFMT MSST B FLAGFMSYBF(B) =BMSYfor B ≤ BF(B) = F for B >MSYMSY BMSYc BMSYB MSYwhere c = max (1-M, 0.5)Target Control Rule and Reference PointsWhile there is an established OY, it is quantified or in the form of a target control rule for lobsterstocks of the Hawaii Archipelago.Rebuilding Control Rule and Reference PointsA rebuilding control rule is specified for the NWHI lobster stocks such that for levels of B wherethe rebuilding control rule is applicable (i.e., between 0 and the rebuilding target, B MSY ), asspecified in Table 24.Table 24: Rebuilding Control Rule Specifications: NWHI Lobster StocksF REBUILDINGF(B) = 0 for B ≤ c BMSYr FMSYBF(B) = for c BMSY< B ≤ BBMSYMSYwhere c = max (1-M, 0.5)and r is the value such that fishing at r F MSY would result in a 10% chance of SPR falling to 0.20Stock Status Determination ProcessStock status determinations involve three procedural steps. First, the appropriate MSY, target orrebuilding reference points are specified. However, because environmental changes may affectthe productive capacity of the stocks, it may be necessary to occasionally modify thespecifications of some of the reference points or control rules. Modifications may also bedesirable when better assessment methods become available, when fishery objectives aremodified (e.g., OY), or better biological, socio-economic, or ecological data become available.158