Title: Report of the FAO Working Group on the Assessment of Small Pelagic Fish off Northwest Africa
Description: The tenth meeting of the FAO Working Group on the Assessment of Small Pelagic Fish off Northwest Africa was held in Banjul, the Gambia, from 18 to 22 May 2010. The Group assessed the status of the small pelagic resources in northwest Africa and made projections on the development of the status of the stocks and on future effort and catch levels. The advice for the stocks is given in relation to the agreed reference points F0.1, FMSY, B0.1 and BMSY and on the basis of the projections for the next five years. The structure of the report is the same as that of the previous Working Group reports. A separate section is devoted to each of the main groups of species (sardine, sardinella, horse mackerel, chub mackerel, bonga and anchovy). For each of these, standardized information is given on stock identity, fisheries, abundance indices, sampling intensity, biological data, assessment, projections, management recommendations and future research. In the absence of reliable age compositions, the Working Group used dynamic production models for all stocks. Most stocks in the area are influenced by abnormal hydrographical conditions in certain years. An index of environmental quality has, therefore, been introduced in the production models since 2005. It should be noted that, for most of the stocks, the time series from the acoustic surveys with the R/V DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN and national research vessels are used as the index of abundance in the assessments and future assessments would, therefore, depend on the continuation of the time series by the local research vessels. The Norwegian research vessel, DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN, surveyed the subregion from 1995 to 2006, carrying out acoustic surveys during the months October-December each year. From 2004 to 2006 intercalibrations and parallel surveys were carried out between R/V DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN and the national research vessels AL AMIR, AL AWAM and ITAF DEME, and in 2007 and 2008 these national research vessels carried out a coordinated regional survey during the months of October-December. It should be noted that during the 2008 survey, the Gambia was not covered. The 2009 survey, hence, only provides a partial coverage of the region and estimates had to be made for Senegal and the Gambia. The Nansen series continues with a converted value from the national research vessels to the "Nansen Value". Although important changes were observed in the abundance and exploitation level for some of the stocks, the overall general situation with respect to the state of the different stocks was found to be similar to that of 2009, with the exception of the Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), which this year was considered overexploited. The Cunene horse mackerel (Trachurus trecae) remains overexploited and the Small Pelagic Working Group recommends a decrease in catch and effort on the horse mackerels to ensure sustainable harvesting of this stock. The catches of round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) are high for the last three years, probably associated with a very good recruitment of year class 2005. The estimated abundance index for 2009 was also high. However, given the uncertainties associated with last year's abundance indices, the lack of evidence of another good year class since 2005 and the high observed catches in recent years which exceed what the stock can sustain in the long run, the Working Group continues to be concerned about this stock and still considers it as overexploited. The Working Group reiterates its recommendation to reduce effort on this species and to respect the previously recommended catch levels. The situation for the sardine stock in Zone A+B seems to have improved since 2006 and this stock is now considered fully exploited. However, as a precautionary measure, and taking into consideration the fluctuations observed in this stock, the Working Group maintains the 2008 and 2009 recommendations that catches should not exceed 400 000 tonnes. Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and bonga (Ethmalosa fimbriata) were also found to be fully exploited. For the two latter species the Working Group noted that although the information available to the Group has improved, some deficiencies still remain. As for the previous assessment, sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in Zone C was found not to be fully exploited. The estimated biomass index from the regional survey (Nansen index) decreased somewhat in 2009 as compared with 2008. Given the fluctuations observed in the abundance of this stock, care should be taken in its management. In 2007 and 2008, the national research vessels took over the responsibility of the November-December acoustic survey from the R/V DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN. Many of the assessments made by the Working Group depend on this time series and hence the Working Group reiterates last year's recommendation that a thorough analysis of the properties and reliability of this data series should be carried out according to an agreed terms of reference. It also recommends continuing work on age reading of sardine and sardinella to improve the models of stock assessment.
Subjects: Fish stock assessment, Congresses, Fishery resources, Fishery management, Fishing stories, Fish populations, Fisheries, north atlantic ocean
Places: Atlantic Coast (Africa, Northwest)