Results from Bottom Trawl Survey on Flemish Cap of June-July 2007

31 páginas, 9 figuras, 22 tablas.-- Scientific Council MeetingA stratified random bottom trawl survey on Flemish Cap was carried out on June - July 2007, covering the bank up to 1460 m depth (800 fathoms). The survey was carried out on board R/V Vizconde de Eza, using a Lofoten bottom trawl gear, and 174 haul were done, 117 of them in the region with less than 730 m depth. Survey results are presented and compared with results of previous surveys in the series since 1988. Biomass and abundance indices are provided for main commercial species, as well as age composition for cod, American plaice, and Greenland halibut.Peer reviewe

Thorny Skate Indices from the Spanish Surveys Conducted in the NAFO Regulatory Area of Divisions 3NO, 1995-2003

Since 1995, a stratified random spring bottom trawl survey in the NAFO Regulatory Area of Div. 3NO was conducted by Spain. In 2001, the trawl vessel was replaced; so, the time series indices was transformed. The transformed entire series of mean catches, abundance and biomass for Thorny skate are presented for the period 1995-2000, and the lenght distribution for the period 1997-2000, and the no-transformed data for the years 2001-2003. The standard deviation are shown for abundance and biomass. The summed abundance and biomass based on conversion of the lenght frequencies are presented and compared to the estimates from the method used to convert the CPUE. A decreasing in Thorny skate abundance and biomass is observed in last years (2001-2003)

Assessment of the Cod Stock in NAFO Division 3M

An assessment of the cod stock in NAFO Division 3M is performed. A Bayesian model, as used in the last assessments, was used to perform the analysis. As there are inconsistencies with total catch of the last four years, a prior was added for 2011 and 2012 catch, the Daily Catch Report data were used in 2013 and the STATLANT21A in 2014. Results indicate a general increase in SSB since 2005, reaching a value well above Blim since 2009

Quality of the Surveys Information in Relation with the Greenland Halibut Assessment of Subarea 2 and Divisions 3KLMNO

The aim of this paper is to provide a study of the quality of the surveys information in relation with the Greenland halibut assessment of the NAFO Subarea 2 and Divisions 3KLMNO. The surveys abundance correlation within surveys, between surveys and XSA showed that the surveys had many difficulties to track ages older than 6 years. For Flemish Cap survey and Canadian Spring Survey, the problem to track these ages could be principally the depth coverage of the surveys, but for the other surveys this lack of tracking could be due to different reasons as age reading inconsistencies and changes in catchability of these ages in the surveys

Report of the NAFO Precautionary Approach Working Group (PA-WG)

The meeting was opened by the co-Chairs Fernando González-Costas and Steven Cadrin at 09:00 hours (Atlantic Daylight Time in Halifax, Nova Scotia) on Thursday, 19 May 2022

Report of the NAFO Joint Commission-Scientific Council Working Group on Risk-Based Management Strategies (WG-RBMS) Meeting

The meeting was opened by the co-Chairs Fernando González-Costas (European Union) and Ray Walsh (Canada) at 09:30 hours (UTC/GMT -3 hours in Halifax, Nova Scotia) on Wednesday, 17 August 2022

Serial No. N7262 NAFO COM-SC Doc. 22-01 Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Report of the NAFO Working Group on Improving Efficiency of NAFO Working Group Process (E-WG) Meeting, 22 February 2022

Report of the NAFO Working Group on Improving Efficiency of NAFO Working Group Process (E-WG) Meeting held by WebEx 22 February 2022Versión del editor

Achieving NAFO Convention Objectives with a Precautionary Approach Framework

The Precautionary Approach Working Group (PA-WG) developed recommendations for designing a Precautionary Approach Framework that is expected to meet the objectives of the NAFO Convention. The objectives and general principles of the NAFO Convention can be achieved by a Precautionary Approach Framework in addition to other NAFO processes to minimize bycatch, catch by lost/abandoned gear, pollution and waste from fishing. The PA-WG recommends that the Precautionary Approach Framework should: 1) promote rebuilding of depleted stocks toward the stock biomass associated with maximum sustainable yield (BMSY), 2) account for scientific uncertainty through buffer reference points or other risk-based approaches, 3) develop limit reference points for stock biomass (Blim) and fishing mortality (Flim) that are consistent with each other, 4) Blim should be based on sustainability and reduced productivity where possible, and 5) reference points should be re-evaluated when the available information on productivity substantially changes, there is evidence of a productivity regime shift, or management procedures based on re-evaluated reference points are demonstrated to perform better for meeting NAFO’s objectives. All options considered for a revised Precautionary Approach Framework should be simulation tested to determine if management measures set in accordance with the framework are expected to achieve the following objectives: a very low risk of stock depletion (i.e., B<Blim), effectively rebuild stocks to BMSY, maintain stocks above BMSY more often than not, and maintain average catches of approximately MSY in the long-term

Report of the Scientific Council Meeting 27 July 2022

Scientific Council reviewed and finalized the working paper drafted by the Precautionary Approach Working Group (PA-WG). The final draft of this working paper, which will be presented to the Precautionary Approach workshop (15-16 August 2022) and WG-RBMS (17-19 August 2022), is attached to this report as Appendix I