Comparación de la clasificación visual de la madera en condiciones húmedas y secas de acuerdo con la norma española UNE 56544 y la alemana DIN 4074-1

Visual strength grading is widely used to estimate mechanical properties of structural timber. National visual grades are allocated to strength classes according to European standard EN1912. The recent discussion about the proper function of visual strength grading standards and the assignment of strength classes shows the need for further research in this field. Spanish-sourced radiata, Scots, Salzmann and maritime pine timber samples were visually graded in wet and dry condition according to the Spanish UNE56544 (2011) and German DIN4074-1 (2012) standards. Rejection was far higher dry due to distortion (warping) parameters. However, this rejection could be significantly mitigated by adopting a higher twist limit (2 mm / 25 mm width). UNE 56544 is more suitable for visually grading these species because it was specifically designed for them and a Spanish source. However, both standards underestimated the Scots pine rejection pieces which mechanical properties fulfill the MEG and S10 grades.La clasificación visual es ampliamente utilizada para estimar las propiedades mecánicas de la madera. Las calidades visuales son asignadas a clases resistentes de acuerdo a la norma europea EN1912. La reciente discusión sobre el apropiado funcionamiento de las normas de clasificación visual y de la asignación de clases resistentes hace necesario seguir investigando sobre el tema. Madera de pino radiata, silvestre, laricio y pinaster fue clasificada visualmente en condiciones húmedas y secas de acuerdo a la norma española UNE56544 y la alemana DIN4074-1. Muchas más piezas fueron rechazadas en seco debido a las deformaciones. Sin embargo, este rechazo se ve significativamente reducido adoptando un nuevo límite de alabeo (2 mm / 25 mm). UNE56544 es más adecuada para la clasificación visual de estas especies pues fue diseñada para ellas y procedencia española. Sin embargo, ambas normas infravaloran el lote rechazado de pino silvestre, cuyas propiedades mecánicas cumplen MEG y S10

Estimation of the reference points for the different OMs in the Cod 3M MSE

This paper presents different methods to estimate the reference points (Blim, Bmsy and Fmsy) to be used in the 3M NAFO cod MSE. Reference points should be specific for each of the possible realities, what defines the different possible realities are the different OMs and, within each OM, the different iterations. The methods presented here try to estimate the reference points by iteration for the different OMs since it is assuming that the reference points will be interpreted as a characteristic of the “real” population. The results of some of the methods proposed to estimate the management reference points (limit and target) seem to be not consistent between them. The results show that in this case the proxy used as Fmsy (F30%SpR) seems quite reasonable

Assessment of the Cod Stock in NAFO Division 3M

An assessment of the cod stock in NAFO Division 3M was conducted using a Bayesian SCAA (statistical catch-at-age) model. The STACFIS catch estimates and the Flemish Cap survey indices were used to fit the model. Blim, defined as the SSB of 2007, was estimated at 15 408 t (median). Results indicate a general increase in SSB since 2005 to the highest value in 2017, decreasing sharply since then. SSB has been above Blim since 2008. Between 2013 and 2018 recruitment was at very low levels; the 2016 and 2018 values were among the lowest of the series; as a consequence, 3-year projections indicate that total biomass will decrease during the projected years, while the SSB could increase under some scenarios in the final projected year. Depending on the projected scenario, probability of SSB being below Blim in 2023 and 2024 is high (≥12%) or very low (≤5%). An increase in recruitment occurred in 2019 and 2020, reaching the 2008 level.Versión del editor

Standardized CPUE Indices for Greenland Halibut in NAFO Regulatory Area of Divisions 3LMNO Based on Spanish Commercial Catch Rates

A standardized CPUE series using a log-linear model for Greenland halibut in NAFO Regulatory Area of Divisions 3LMNO, based on catch and effort data from the Spanish trawl fleet since 1992 is presented. Fixed factors considered in the model were year, month, division, depth stratum and vessel and the interactions included were division*month and division*depth stratum. All of these factors and interactions are statistically significant. The total proportion of variance explained by this model is 46%. The results indicate substantial variability of CPUE over time, with several short periods of increasing and decreasing CPUE. After having reached the lowest value of the series in 2004, standardized CPUE has increased very substantially, reaching a value in 2006 very near the maximum of the entire series

Report of the NAFO Commission Ad hoc Working Group to Reflect on the Rules Governing Bycatches, Discards and Selectivity (WG-BDS) in the NAFO Regulatory Area Meeting

The meeting was opened at 10:05 hours (Atlantic Daylight Time in Halifax, Nova Scotia) on Monday, 12 July 2021 by the Chair, Temur Tairov (Russian Federation). He welcomed representatives from Canada, Denmark (in respect of Faroe Islands and Greenland), European Union, Iceland, Japan, Norway, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The SC Chair and the STACTIC vice Chair were also in attendance (Annex 1)

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 08:30 hours (Atlantic Daylight Time in Halifax, Nova Scotia) on Tuesday, 24 August 2021. The co-Chairs welcomed the representatives from Canada, European Union, Japan, Norway, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States of America. The Scientific Council (SC) Chair, SC Precautionary Approach Working Group (PA-WG) co-Chairs were also welcomed (Annex 1)

Report of the NAFO Joint Commission–Scientific Council Catch Estimation Strategy Advisory Group (CESAG) Meeting

The NAFO Joint Commission-Scientific Council Catch Estimation Strategy Advisory Group (CESAG) met via WebEx on 13 April 2021. The meeting was opened at 9:30 hours (Atlantic Daylight Time) by co-Chairs Katherine Sosebee (USA) and Temur Tairov (Russian Federation). Representatives from NAFO Contracting Parties (Canada, European Union, Japan, Ukraine) were in attendance. The Scientific Council Chair was also in attendance (Annex 1)

Low recruitment 3M Cod Operating Model.

This paper presents the results of F = 0 and the slope and target Harvest Control Rules (HCRs) for a selection of Operating Models (OMs) of 3M Cod with the Low Recruitment regime. The results of these scenarios show that if the current low level of recruitment continues for 2 or 3 more years, the risk of the SSB falling below Blim in the short to medium term is greater than 50% in all scenarios, including those with F=0. Another conclusion that can be drawn from these results is that the current target HCR needs to be improved by investigating more deeply the values of the different parameters of this HCR