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Overfishing remains a global concern, however effective management from well valuation of fisheries may efficiently reduce the impact of fishing. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the biomass of Indian Mackerel fishery in order to maintain the stock. Catch-based Monte Carlo maximum sustainable yield (CMSY) method and Length-based Bayesian Biomass (LBB) methods are frequently used to evaluate fish stock. Eighteen years effort-catch and length frequency data from commercial fishing were utilize to estimate the current biomass. The calculated biological reference points from Bayesian state-space Schaefer production model (BSM) at r = 0.618, k = 68,700, maximum sustainable yield (MSY) = 10,600. However, CMSY at r = 0.662, k = 6800, MSY = 11,200. Biomass in 2021 at maximum sustainable yield 2021 (B2021/BMSY) = 0.436 (< 1) and fishing rate F2021/FMSY = 1.94 (> 1) values explain the Indian Mackerel fishery is at exploited state. However, results using LBB model defines as B/BMSY = 0.65 (< 1.0) and fishing rate F/FMSY = 3.33 (> 1.0) and mean length/optimum length (Lmean/ Lopt) obtained at 1.3 and L95th/ Linf at 0.95. Based on suggested prior biomass range (B/BMSY =0.5–0.8) for stock assessment also indicates that the Indian Mackerel fishery is in unsustainable state from the study area. Monitoring of illicit fishing practices in the area is recommended. Measures need to be implemented for the protection of these valuable resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes an Artificial Intelligence-based Real-time Catch Analysis System (AI-RCAS) for sustainable fisheries management. The AI-RCAS, implemented on a Jetson board, consists of fish recognition using YOLOv10, tracking with a ByteTrack algorithm optimized for marine environments, and a counting module. Experiments in actual fishing environments showed significant improvements, with species recognition rates of 74–81%. The system supports the efficient operation of the total allowable catch (TAC) system through real-time analysis, addressing the limitations of the existing Electronic Monitoring (EM) systems. However, challenges remain, including object-tracking difficulties and performance issues in unstable marine environments. Future research should focus on optimizing the fishing process, improving video processing, and expanding the dataset for better generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to develop a method that apply sampling survey data randomly obtained at fishing ports to fish stock assessments, based on fish landing surveys conducted at fishing ports in the northern South China Sea (SCS), 19 Threadfin porgy (Evynnis cardinalis) catch per unit effort (CPUE) datasets were collected for fishing vessels with different gear types and engine powers and incorporated into surplus production models. Considering only the fitting performance, the Schaefer model had the best overall goodness of fit, followed by the Fox, CYP, W–H, and Schnute models. Among fishing vessels with different gears and engine powers, the data were best fitted for single-trawl vessels powered by 301–400-kW engines and for gillnet vessels powered by > 200-kW engines. Eight model expressions were superior and selected for subsequent analyses based on their goodness of fit and relative residuals. The Kobe plot analysis results showed an optimistic fish stock status when using the four model expressions, required more caution when using three model expressions and output pessimistic estimations using one model expression. Considering the incomplete information acquired, a compromising decision-making method was used to derive a 2017 northern SCS E. cardinalis total allowed catch (TAC) of 44,691.21 t. The different conclusions drawn from estimations using CPUEs reflect variable exploitation and utilization fish stock statuses among fishing vessels with different gears and engine powers. Hence, the fishing operations were grouped according to their CPUE relationship, and recommendations regarding optimum fishing efforts were assigned to the groups following a fundamental principle: to improve fishery TAC management, fishing efforts should be reduced if the fish stock assessment is pessimistic and maintained if the assessment is optimistic. This study providing a feasible technical method for the TAC management of China's offshore fisheries.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) typically provides advice on fishing opportunities on a stock-by-stock basis. Nevertheless, levels of total allowable catch (TAC) are sometimes set for a collection of stocks and species (i.e. a common TAC). An explicit expectation of these is that landings will scale with ICES advice, especially when ICES advice is used to calculate the common TAC. This expectation is tested for skates and rays in the Northeast Atlantic, spanning 26 stocks, 8 species, and 3 ecoregions. Using ICES landings and ICES advice data from 2016 to 2022, we show that landings of several stocks and species have overshot their respective ICES advice, whereas others have undershot. Specifically, some stocks of blonde ray (Raja brachyura) in North Sea and Celtic Seas ecoregions are being landed at a rate that often exceeds double its ICES advice. By collating species based on their ICES assessment category and life-history traits, we find that those considered data-poor and potentially most vulnerable to fishing are consistently landed at higher-than-expected rates in the Celtic Seas. This study questions the appropriateness of a common TAC for skates and rays and calls for shifts towards the use of single-stock catch allocations and the application of advanced stock assessment methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate determination of fishing effort from Automatic Identification System (AIS) data improves catch per unit effort (CPUE) estimation and precise spatial management. By combining AIS data with catch information, a weighted distribution method is applied to allocate catches across various fishing trajectories, accounting for temporal dynamics. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) and Generalized Additive Model (GAM) were used to examine the influence of spatial–temporal and environmental variables (year, month, Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Sea Surface Salinity (SSS), current velocity, depth, longitude, and latitude) and assess the quality of model fit for these effects on chub mackerel CPUE. Month, SST, and year exhibited the strongest relationship with CPUE in the GLM model, while the GAM model emphasizes the importance of month and year. CPUE peaked within specific temperature and salinity ranges and increased with longitude and specific latitudinal bands. Month emerged as the most influential variable, explaining 38% of the CPUE variance, emphasizing the impact of regulatory measures on fishery performance. The GAM model performed better, explaining 69.9% of the nominal CPUE variance. The time series of nominal and standardized indices indicated strong seasonal cycles, and the application of fine-scale fishing effort improved nominal and standardized CPUE estimates and model performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's 13th Five-Year Plan elevated the national mandate for environmental sustainability. Chinese fisheries are characterized by full retention of high diversity catch harvested using unselective gears, creating ecological risks. Therefore, China launched pilot projects in management by Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in five coastal provinces in 2017 and 2018 to build experience with output controls. Fujian province launched an important pilot in its swimming crab fishery, the first to adopt a multispecies approach. To guide Fujian and other provinces in multispecies management, a workshop in April 2018 shared international experience. The workshop considered 13 case studies spanning a wide range of underlying scientific models and types of harvest controls. Multispecies harvest controls based on simple survey- or index-based models that aggregate trends for many species are typically operationally easier for managers and fishers. However, inadequate management can cause declines of individual species, sometimes leading to adoption of species-specific models and then species-specific harvest controls. This transition often incurs economic costs through scientific and management demands, and constraints on harvest of co-occurring species. The lessons revealed by the case studies suggest multispecies TACs might be effective in the Fujian swimming crab fishery given the modest number of species with similar and productive life history traits, and the market demand for all species. Continued experimentation with different management approaches through pilot projects can enable China to maintain progress toward sustainable fisheries goals under the 14th Five-Year Plan.

Management strategy evaluation using the Method Evaluation and Risk Assessment (MERA) platform was used to evaluate management procedures (MPs) for improving the management of the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) fishery in Saleh Bay, Indonesia. This grouper is a valuable species currently under high fishing pressure. It is targeted by small-scale fisheries using a wide range of fishing methods; hence, management recommendations are needed to ensure sustainability. A suite of MPs for data-limited conditions were evaluated for their ability to achieve limit and target biomass reference points (B/BMSY = 0.5 and B/BMSY = 1, respectively), while maintaining a target yield of at least 0.5 MSY. The simulation results suggest that the currently implemented harvest control rules (HCRs) in Saleh Bay (size limit and spatial closure) may not be effective in achieving the management objective to attain the target biomass reference point due to relatively low compliance with the size limit regulation (320 mm total length) and the very small proportion of existing MPA no-take areas (~2.2%). This study recommends that the fisheries management authority explores the feasibility of implementing the total allowable catch (TAC) and seasonal closure in addition to the existing fishing regulations for P. leopardus in Saleh Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's 13th Five-Year Plan elevated the national mandate for environmental sustainability. Chinese fisheries are characterized by full retention of high diversity catch harvested using unselective gears, creating ecological risks. Therefore, China launched pilot projects in management by Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in five coastal provinces in 2017 and 2018 to build experience with output controls. Fujian province launched an important pilot in its swimming crab fishery, the first to adopt a multispecies approach. To guide Fujian and other provinces in multispecies management, a workshop in April 2018 shared international experience. The workshop considered 13 case studies spanning a wide range of underlying scientific models and types of harvest controls. Multispecies harvest controls based on simple survey- or index-based models that aggregate trends for many species are typically operationally easier for managers and fishers. However, inadequate management can cause declines of individual species, sometimes leading to adoption of species-specific models and then species-specific harvest controls. This transition often incurs economic costs through scientific and management demands, and constraints on harvest of co-occurring species. The lessons revealed by the case studies suggest multispecies TACs might be effective in the Fujian swimming crab fishery given the modest number of species with similar and productive life history traits, and the market demand for all species. Continued experimentation with different management approaches through pilot projects can enable China to maintain progress toward sustainable fisheries goals under the 14th Five-Year Plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of the system for distributing quotas for the extraction of aquatic biological resources (ABR) in quotas in Russia affects the interests of many parties. The new system of allocation of rights to catch ABR, which provides for quotas for investment, changes the established order in Russia in fisheries, which caused discussions in the industry. Innovations reduced the level of monopolization of industrial fishing, the development of shipbuilding and the ABR processing in Russia’s territory. The aim of the study is to identify the structure of interests of economic entities and the population within the framework of the current quota system of ABR catch in Russia on the example of the Far Eastern fishery basin of the country. Being studying the materials for the paper, the authors used methods of scientific analysis and comparison in the research of the regulatory framework and the distribution of total allowable catches. There is an inductive method prevails in the statistical part of the study, and the monographic method allowed to combine the results obtained in the scientific paper. According to the analysis of the detailed structure and short-term dynamics of the allocation of quotas for the catch of ABR in the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD), the authors found that the current system of distribution of rights does not fit to global trends aimed at reducing the catch of the wild resource, the capacity and number of fishing vessels. Innovations mainly reflect the interests of large fish producers to the detriment of small ones. However, the potential effect of introducing investment quotas is positive, as it ensures intersectoral cooperation. Against the background of unstable external demand for Russian products, this mechanism stimulates reorienting the activities of fishers from foreign markets to domestic ones, from the sale of raw materials to processed products and making added value within the country, including in the FEFD.

Management strategy evaluation using the Method Evaluation and Risk Assessment (MERA) platform was used to evaluate management procedures (MPs) for improving the management of the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) fishery in Saleh Bay, Indonesia. This grouper is a valuable species currently under high fishing pressure. It is targeted by small-scale fisheries using a wide range of fishing methods; hence, management recommendations are needed to ensure sustainability. A suite of MPs for data-limited conditions were evaluated for their ability to achieve limit and target biomass reference points (B/BMSY = 0.5 and B/BMSY = 1, respectively), while maintaining a target yield of at least 0.5 MSY. The simulation results suggest that the currently implemented harvest control rules (HCRs) in Saleh Bay (size limit and spatial closure) may not be effective in achieving the management objective to attain the target biomass reference point due to relatively low compliance with the size limit regulation (320 mm total length) and the very small proportion of existing MPA no-take areas (~2.2%). This study recommends that the fisheries management authority explores the feasibility of implementing the total allowable catch (TAC) and seasonal closure in addition to the existing fishing regulations for P. leopardus in Saleh Bay.

The study of the Russian fishery management system aims to determine the degree of readiness of the fishing industry to implement economic processes of access to aquatic biological resources in the country’s Northern fishery basin. A comparative analysis of fishery management systems in a market economy (fishery complex of Russia) and a planned economy of the USSR has been presented. It has been determined that the allocation of aquatic biological resources for industrial fishing is managed on the basis of Russian regulatory legal acts, and the implementation of the tasks of developing the fishery sector and ensuring the country’s food security is consistent with the implementation of the Basic State Policy of Russia. Key performance indicators of the fishing industry, the system of allocation of fishing (catch) quotas for aquatic biological resources based on the “historical principle” and the “auction system” have been presented. The aim of the study is to assess the being implemented plans for the total allowable catch development, and the desire of the fishery management system and business to increase the economic potential of the Russian fishery sector.

The west coast rock lobster Jasus lalandii fishery is South Africa's third-most-valuable fishery, although the stock is currently estimated at <2% of its pristine biomass. Recent ecologically necessary reductions in the total allowable catch (TAC) had negative economic impacts on stakeholders; however, these have not been quantified as current research into the socio-economic aspects of this fishery is limited. This study explored trends in the net seasonal income and employment opportunities of the fishery in the seasons 2016/17–2018/19 for its different sectors and representative individuals, by analysing records from the government authority and data collected from stakeholders in this fishery through interviews (n = 30) and surveys (n = 19). The results indicate that though the fishery was profitable over the three seasons, with the estimated contribution to gross national income ranging from R453 185 000 (US$33 302 714) in 2018/19 to R564 721 000 (US$41 499 039) in 2017/18, the decreasing quotas had a disproportionate negative effect on some of the representative individuals examined within the different sectors. These worrying economic trends for the different stakeholders indicate that, for effective resource recovery and equitable distribution of fishing opportunities, the socio-economic context of the fishery must be studied more extensively and must be included more directly in management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed fisheries capture multiple species simultaneously, posing significant challenges to fisheries assessment and management, and leading to systematic risk of overfishing. While the Multi-Species Total Allowable Catch (MSTAC) approach provides a feasible tool for managing mixed fisheries, there remains a lack of clarity on how to design effective management units within MSTAC. To achieve robust and conservative management, we designed and evaluated different schemes of MSTAC based on the species portfolio effect that is crucial for multispecies productivity. We considered four ecological traits to construct the MSTAC schemes, including habitat preference, feeding mode, body size and thermophily. We simulated the population dynamics of mixed fisheries and the biotic and technical interactions within the fish community using a dynamic multispecies size-spectrum model (MSSM) developed for the North Yellow Sea, China. We assessed the effects of these schemes in terms of fishery yield, stock biomass, potential productivity, and risk of depletion. Our evaluation suggests that appropriate portfolio-based schemes could enhance sustainability better than maintaining current yield through Single-Species TAC (SSTAC), which might result in rapid productivity losses and a higher risk of depletion. All the candidate schemes exhibit necessary trade-off between fisheries yields and depletion risks of the fish community. Notably, the size-based scheme provides significant benefits in buffering against depletion risks while conserving the potential productivity of the holistic fish community, followed by the habitat-based scheme. We highlight that the emergent portfolio effects from the aggregated MSTAC can enhance sustainability in mixed fisheries management and potentially serve as "insurance" against climate variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scads fishery in Blitar waters is a multispecies fishery applying harvest control rules (HCRs) from conventional single-species approaches which technically, may not be applicable to employ in such mixed-species data composed from the multispecies fishery. The feedback HCR is an alternative validated harvest control rule that can be applied for a multispecies fishery. The aim of this study was to technically compare the application of the feedback HCR and conventional single species approaches in terms of estimating the future allowable biological catch (ABC). Therefore, in this study, ABC was estimated by applying three HCRs, the feedback HCR, and two conventional HCRs which was based on single-species approaches applying surplus production models, Schaefer Model and Fox model into catch and effort of scads fisheries data series of 2011 -- 2020. The results showed that the ABC estimation of the feedback HCR was a half lower than that of both conventional models. It was biologically safer to apply the feedback HCR to set the annual total allowable catch (TAC) than the other two HCRs. The feedback HCR presented an initial step toward sustainably managing multispecies fisheries while dealing with data-limited conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the declining fishery resources, some active management measures have been taken to strive for the sustainable development of fisheries. However, these input-oriented control management measures have not realized the expectation in alleviating the depressing depletion of fishery resources. The fishing quota (FQ) system, an output-oriented control management method, has been proved to be effective in curbing overfishing and conserving fishery resources. However, it has not been formally implemented in China until now. Thus, it is urgent to start the pilot trial on the implementation of the FQ system in China. We firstly formulated a framework for the FQ system on bivalve fisheries and then conducted an empirical analysis based on the field survey of bivalve mollusks in Maoming shallow waters, Guangdong, northern South China Sea. The species composition, dominant species, and density distribution of bivalves were analyzed. The swept-area method was used to assess the total allowable catch (TAC) of bivalves. Each step of the FQ system was discussed in depth. Results showed that a total of 45 bivalve species were identified. Meretrix planisulcata and Ruditapes philippinarum were the two dominant species. The spatial distribution of density varied largely. The estimated TAC value is 4.28 × 105 kg which can be allocated to fishermen under the regulations of the FQ system. Finally, the framework for the FQ system was improved in every step of the future procedure, including target species selection, TAC determination, quota allocation, catch report, and fishing supervision. The general framework of the FQ system in this study can also be referenced to other economically important fish or other marine organisms.

Aim. This work aims to study the distribution and stocks of crayfish on the eastern shelf of the Caspian Sea at places where they mostly habitat.Material and Methods. The studies were implemented in the spring and summer of 2019. The material was collected by scuba divers surveying routes of transects 100 m2 in area. Collected crayfish were identified at species level, measured, weighed and their fertility was evaluated. Their abundance was calculated by estimating the aggregation density along the routes (ind./m2), with subsequent recalculation for the biotope areas, which were identified using data from the Caspian Sea satellite monitoring. The stocks were estimated according to the size and weight characteristics of collected individuals.Results. Two astacid species inhabit the surveyed area: Pontastacus eichwald Bott – long‐clawed crayfish and Caspiastacus pachypus Rathke – thick‐clawed crayfish. Certain changes have occurred compared with archival data of the 1970s‐1990s. The range area has expanded and the abundance of C. pachypus has increased. The fertility of both C. pachypus and P. eichwald has reduced.Conclusion. The crayfish stocks in the surveyed area are of commercial importance. The application of satellite survey data greatly increases the objectivity of research.

Understanding the spatial ecology and habitat-use of Lake Erie's commercially important walleye (Sander vitreus) population is imperative due to their large-scale seasonal migrations (>400 km) exposing them to five different jurisdictions in the USA and Canada. The objective of this study was to determine the habitat selected by walleye throughout the year and across Lake Erie. Here, we used acoustic telemetry to estimate walleye occurrence at three lake depth categories that were pertinent to biology (e.g., spawning) and management (e.g., quota allocation). Detection data from 851 adults during five continuous years identified consistent seasonal fluctuations in habitat selection across western (WB) and eastern (EB) basin walleye stocks. Sex-specific differences were also found during spawning periods (March-May) when males showed a stronger affinity to shallow waters <6 m than females. Also, EB stocks selected these shallow waters longer than WB stocks, likely due to differences in thermal patterns between basins. Deep water (>13 m) was readily selected between spring and winter (>6 months/year) for most WB and EB walleye despite stock-specific migration patterns. This study provides novel information about the space use patterns of one of the most economically important fish in North America at spatial and temporal scales relevant to management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stock assessments are often used to provide management advice, such as a total allowable catch (TAC), to fishery managers. Many stocks are not assessed annually, and the TAC from the previous assessment is often maintained in years between assessments. We developed two interim management procedures (MPs) that update the estimate of current vulnerable biomass from a surveyed index of abundance to adjust the TAC from a previous assessment. These MPs differ in how they handle uncertainty in observed indices. Using closed‐loop simulation, we evaluated the two interim MPs (with 10‐ and 5‐year assessment intervals) against several "status quo" approaches: (1) an annual assessment, and (2) a stock assessment every 5 or 10 years with (a) fixed TACs or (b) projections between assessments. We evaluated performance across three life‐history types and six operating model scenarios. The interim MPs performed similarly to annual assessments in terms of trends in biomass and yield, regardless of the assessment interval of the interim MPs. The interim MPs often produced more yield than the Fixed TAC MP with 10‐year assessment intervals, for example, in depleted scenarios. The Fixed TAC MP performed more similarly to interim MPs when the assessment interval for the Fixed TAC MP was decreased to five years. The interim MPs can also perform well when circumstances arise that are not accounted for in the Projection MP. Our results show that interim MPs should be considered for infrequently assessed stocks or rebuilding stocks, and highlight potential cost savings of interim MPs over annual assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the fisheries management is to provide the conditions for long-term, high and sustainable fishing. Most of the fish stocks in the North-East Atlantic's are transboundary and straddling, and some international agreements in the field of regulation of their fishing are required for effective management. Achieving multilateral international agreements in the field of fisheries is very difficult and long-term process, because it affects the economic and political interests of the contracting parties. The paper considers results of the analysis of stock dynamics of the most important fishery resources in the North-East Atlantic – herring, blue whiting and mackerel – in different historical periods. As in the past few decades, we have seen periods of both managed and unmanaged fisheries and in relation to the value of stocks of pelagic fish there have been significant fluctuations, in this paper the authors have attempted to estimate the value of concerted international fisheries management to maintain a stable state of stocks of pelagic fish. Implementation of scientific recommendations agreed by the participating countries of ICES and the joint management of the herring stock management contribute to the preservation of stock stable and optimal levels of withdrawal of the object. The historical experience of the international fishing of blue whiting has shown that compliance by states involved in the fishery advice of ICES and its reserve management activities and promotes the good stock condition. To save the mackerel stock within safe biological boundaries it is necessary to achieve the agreed long-term plan for managing its fisheries between all participants in the fishery. In the long term for the conservation of stocks of herring, blue whiting and North East mackerel in the safe biological boundaries, the international regulation of their fisheries based on the scientific recommendations of ICES in the framework of NEAFC and the Consultations of Coastal States is necessary.

The total biomass of an invasive amphipod, Gmelinoides fasciatus, in Lake Onega has been estimated for the first time based on our own data and published data; it ranges from 1.6 to 2.2 thousand t of wet weight for the entire water body. Its production over the growing season varies from 2.9 to 4.0 thousand t. The biotope with the richest stock of this species (reed thickets, where the biomass of the crustacean can reach 39 g/m2) is located mainly in the northern part of the lake. The possibility of considering G. fasciatus a potential commercial species with an estimated total allowable catch of up to 1.5–2.0 thousand t per year is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vast literature in fisheries economics focuses on drivers of fishers' behavior with limited attention given to what happens once the fish are landed. This often strongly contrasts with a main policy focus on coastal communities, with fisheries management as an additional instrument in supporting livelihoods. This study shows that the number of Norwegian landing plants has been reduced in recent decades, and that quantity landed, annual plant operation time, and attracting smaller vessels decrease the probability of exit. Interestingly, plants in communities with additional landing locations have lower probabilities of exit, pointing to an industry cluster effect. (JEL Q22) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Patagonian grenadier (Macruronus magellanicus) is the most abundant demersal fisheries resource off Chilean Patagonia, and also is a key fisheries species off the south of Argentina and off the Falkland Islands. A Stock Synthesis assessment shows that this stock has declined in abundance off Chile, which has been attributed to a major change in recruitment strength, and subsequent production, after 1999. An assessment is conducted in which the change in recruitment is modelled as a shift in the stock-recruitment relationship. Management Strategy Evaluation is then used to examine the consequences of a mis-match between the assumptions related to recruitment in the assessment used to set the annual total allowable catch (TAC), and those in the operating model that represents the actual situation being managed. A management strategy that does not consider a shift in recruitment resulted in average TAC values of approximately 125,000 t, substantially larger than the sustainable yield of 45,000 t when there is a recruitment shift. A management strategy based on ignoring the shift in recruitment would thus lead to unsustainable catches, with major impacts on the ecosystem as well as the industry and coastal communities reliant on the fishery, if there was an actual shift in recruitment. Management of the fishery has not accounted for a recruitment shift, and annual landings have been consistently lower than the estimated annual TACs. The 2014 landings are similar to the long term TAC estimated by the assessment models under the Shift operating model. The history of the Patagonian grenadier fishery demonstrates the benefits of taking a precautionary approach that accounts for changes in fish productivity (whether climate-driven or otherwise). However, there can be considerable delays before a shift is observed in recruitment estimates or assessment model mis-specification is detected. The need for alternative approaches for providing more timely recruitment information is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report documents the fishery, assessment, and management of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) across its distribution range. Targeting lumpfish for their roe on a large scale began in the 1950s in Iceland and Norway and then in Canada in the 1970s and Greenland in the 1990s. When the fishery began, there were few regulations, but limits on vessel size, mesh size, number of nets, and length of the fishing season were gradually implemented over time. Worldwide landings have varied from ca. 2000 to 8000 tonnes of roe between 1977 and 2016. Iceland and Canada accounted for >80% of the landings until 2000. After 2013, Greenland and Iceland accounted for >94%. All countries except Iceland show a decreasing trend in the number of boats participating in the fishery, which is related to several factors: the monetary value of the roe, changes in the abundance of lumpfish, and increasing age of artisanal fishers. Each country has a different combination of data available for assessment from basic landings and fishing effort data to more detailed fishery independent survey indices of abundance. The management of total catch also differs, with an effort-controlled fishery in Iceland and Canada, a total allowable catch (TAC) per boat in Norway, and TAC per area in Greenland. Population abundance is above management targets in Iceland and Norway, but the status is less clear in Greenland and around Denmark/Sweden and appears to be depleted around Canada. Certification by the Marine Stewardship Council was instrumental in the adoption of a management plan in Greenland; however, benefits to the fishers remain unclear. Aspects surrounding the biology of lumpfish, which is poorly understood and requires investigation, include growth rate, natural mortality, and population differentiation. In addition, there is concern about the potential impacts that the recent escalation in production of lumpfish for use as cleaner fish in the aquaculture industry could have on the wild population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) of the European Union has faced problems relating to sustainability since its conception. Subsequent reforms have offered some limited means of mitigating these problems yet ultimately they have not been adequately addressed and continue to cause critical damage to the European fisheries. Sound scientific advice has been continuously ignored resulting in catches in excess of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), further compounding depleted stocks and reducing the chances of recovery. Despite the latest reform in 2013, European fisheries remain in a perilous condition. Brexit creates an opportunity for the UK to develop its own fisheries legal framework. A tailor-made system of management specific to the UK waters is an enticing prospect for the UK fishing industry. However, the CFP will remain in operation for the remaining Member States after the UK has left the Union, therefore the UK is likely to encounter substantial difficulty in developing its own personalised fisheries management system, such is the entrenched nature of the CFP and other relevant international law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stock biomass of the Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus in the Pacific Ocean shows large fluctuations in response to environmental variations and fishing activities; this is reflected in annual catch amounts. Harvest policy in Japan determines the current allowable biological catch (ABC) by using catch data and marine resource indices. The total allowable catch (TAC) for sardine is based on the ABC, but there is a time delay from the collection and analysis of data to its implementation. We have developed a new harvest control rule (HCR) into which fishing pressure limitations are incorporated. The rule calls for fishing to stop when fish landings reach the TAC or the fishing effort and the fishery catchability reach the limit. We have evaluated the performance of the proposed HCR against the implementation error for fishing pressure and the observation error for fishing mortality. We conducted simulations using two stock recruitment relationships and three historic starting years to investigate the effects of rule initiation timing. The results indicate that this HCR could help to facilitate a recovery of the stock biomass and improve annual catches of the Japanese sardine. Especially when the observation error is large, the HCR is effective in maintaining stock biomass, increasing the average annual catch, and stabilizing the overall annual catch. • The new harvest control rule combines output control and limiting fishing pressure. • The proposed rule could recover and maintain the stock biomass. • The new rule also contributes to increasing and stabilizing the annual catch. • With a large observation error, the new rule is more effective than the current one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization of the economy and increased competition leads to the need to strengthen the functions of the Russian government to ensure food security of the country and, accordingly, the consolidation of mechanisms of state regulation of agricultural economy and food markets. The importance of solving the problems of information security, a high degree of reliability of the information provided by the Government of the relevant statistical authorities is growing. The relevance of obtaining high-quality statistical information for the adoption of timely and informed decisions by the government on the management of the national economy has increased significantly during the period of political and economic confrontation between Russia and the West in terms of sanctions and counter-sanctions. Taking fishing industry and its product – the water biological resources – as an example, the author of the present study carried out a structural analysis of the methodology for composing the balance of fish and fish products to determine the per capita level of consumption, described the different approaches to assessing the level of consumption of water biological resources, structured export indicators of water biological resources gathered from various official sources, on the basis of which the author revealed significant differences in the assessment of the situation. The subject of statistics as the problem was raised at the Presidium of the State Council from October 19, 2015 devoted to the development of the fishing industry of the Russian Federation and was reflected as a separate item in the Order of the President following the results of the State Council. Established by the Order of the Federal State Statistics Service dated October 21, 2013 No. 419, the new method of determining the level of per capita consumption of fish and fish products, based on the compilation of the balance of water biological resources, and composed after the requirements of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has the potential for improvement from a practical point of view. The author proves the necessity of changing the existing method of statistical reporting and analysis in order to improve its reliability

In the past 40 years, the fishery in the Mediterranean Sea has seen numerous changes in technology, fleet composition, effort allocation, and management strategies. In this paper, our aim is to summarize the improvements, and highlight the flaws and difficulties that have characterized fisheries management in the Mediterranean Sea in the past decades. We (the authors) advocate the importance of the regionalization of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in the Mediterranean. We focussed on the Adriatic Sea, with two case studies—the fishery for sardine and anchovy, and the fishery for Nephrops. The former is emblematic as it is one of the most valuable and well-studied fisheries in the Mediterranean but it is also an example of a management process that is slowly bearing fruit. Nephrops, on the other hand, has been facing the same destiny as other stocks in the Mediterranean; namely, its peculiar biology, a complex fishery, a poorly tailored data collection and inadequate assessments, have delayed action until very recent times. We use these examples to cover several aspects of Mediterranean fisheries management: (i) a historical overview of the development of these fisheries and their management; (ii) an overview of the main players involved in the scientific analysis and management process and their current and ideal roles; (iii) the flaws of the current stock assessment system; and (iv) recent developments and potential solutions to comply with the latest reform of the CFP before 2020. We argue that to align Mediterranean management with the CFP and achieve MSY targets, the lack of coordination and definition of roles between the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, the European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries and the Joint Research Centre need to be resolved. There is a need for adequate assessment models and data to answer increasingly complex management questions, as well as regular external review of the stock assessment models to assure their quality. Finally, the need for the implementation of a TAC system as an effective tool for Mediterranean fisheries to achieve sustainability is discussed and advocated.

Fish resources Information urgently needed by development planners in fisheries sectors, especially for fisheries development. The fisheries resources utilization in East Java tends to be overexploited. This caused uncertainty of fishing activities for the traditional fishermen in the East Java waters. Some studies of population dynamics and fish stock assessment described fisheries resources exploitation in some areas of East Java was on fully exploited to overexploited condition. The aim of this research were; [1] to know sustainable potential and total allowable catch of fisheries resources in the area of Pasuruan regency, Probolinggo Regency, and Banyuwangi regency; [2] tho know the utilization status of fisheries resources in the area of Pasuruan regency, Probolinggo Regency, and Banyuwangi regency; and [3] to determine the empowerment strategy for fishermen community in order to utilize fisheries resources in the area of Pasuruan regency, Probolinggo Regency, and Banyuwangi regency. The analyses were done through the calculation of sustainability potential, and total allowable catch, and determine the controlling strategy of fisheries resources utilization. The study described that the comparison analysis of fishing trip data, fish catch and total allowable catch in the sustainable condition was in the overexploited condition. Moreover, based on the analysis of fisheries resources utilization status in the research area, the controlling strategy was created based on the recommendation of all stakeholders. This strategy including the management of the fishing area, management of fishing time, and determine if alternative activities in the scope of both fisheries and non-fisheries sectors. These strategies can be used as a basic data in determining an empowerment strategy for fishermen in the fisheries resources utilization. These strategies including accompaniment approach and information services through community and ecosystem-based of fisheries resources management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]