Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) - Stock Assessments: demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea (STECF-19-10)

Abstract

Commission Decision of 25 February 2016 setting up a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, C(2016) 1084, OJ C 74, 26.2.2016, p. 4–10. The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to marine and fisheries biology, fishing gear technology, fisheries economics, fisheries governance, ecosystem effects of fisheries, aquaculture or similar disciplines. This reportis from STECF Expert Working Group19-10: 2019stock assessments ofdemersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Seafrom the meeting in Arona Italy from 9thto 15rdSeptember 2019. A total of 19 fish stocks were evaluated. The EWG reports age based assessments and short term forecasts for 15 of the 19 stocks. Catch advice for the other four stocks was based on ICES category 3 evaluations of biomass indices. The content of the report gives the STECF terms of reference, the basis of the evaluationsand advice, summaries of state of stock and advised based on either the MSY approach for assessed stocks or the precautionary approachfor category 3 based advice. Thereport contains the full stock assessment reports for the 15 assessments, one full category3 evaluation and briefre-evaluations and validations of the 2018 results for the final three stocks for which two year’sadvice was given in 2018.The report also contains the STECF observations and conclusions on the assessment report. These conclusionscome from the STECF Plenary meeting November 2019