ices@firms 2010-09-07 7 ICES Advice 2137 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) +45 33 386700 +45 33 934215 david@ices.dk http://www.ices.dk/ 7 ICES Advice ICES Advice ICES Advice International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) FIRMS Reports Rapports FIRMS 2010-09-07 10449 Megrim - Bay of Biscay and Iberian Basin 2561 Four-spot megrim Cardine à quatre taches Gallo de cuatro manchas 2560 Megrim Cardine franche Gallo del Norte Bay of Biscay, Iberian Basin 561 Bay of Biscay - South (Division 27.8.c) Golfe de Gascogne - Sud (Division 27.8.c) Golfo de Vizcaya - sur (División 27.8.c) 10 Atlantic, Northeast Atlantique, nord-est Atlántico, nordeste 5016 Celtic-Biscay Shelf 5017 Iberian Coastal 564 Portuguese Waters - East (Division 27.9.a) Eaux portugaises - Est (Division 27.9.a) Aguas Portuguesas - este (División 27.9.a) 10 Atlantic, Northeast Atlantique, nord-est Atlántico, nordeste 5017 Iberian Coastal 5019 Canary Current 2008 2009 Megrim (L. boscii and L. whiffiagonis) in Divisions VIIIc and IXa <font color="#000000">There are no explicit management objectives for these stocks.</font> <b>Management considerations</b> Both species are caught in mixed fisheries targeting demersal fish including southern hake, anglerfish and <i>Nephrops</i>. Management measures aimed at reducing fishing mortality on these stocks should also ensure lowest possible catches of megrim. The two species are managed under a common TAC. They are caught and recorded together in the landings statistics. It is impossible to manage each species separately under a common TAC. This problem is highlighted by the different status of the two stocks.<i> L</i><i>.</i><i> </i><i>whiffiagonis</i> (the stock in poor status) constitutes around 20% of the total megrim landings. The spatial distribution of the two stocks shows some differences that could be utilized for separate management of the two stocks. Megrim (<i>L.</i><i> </i><i>whiffiagonis</i>) is distributed in both Divisions (VIIIc and IXa), with its highest abundance in Division VIIIc. Four-spotted megrim (<i>L. </i><i>boscii</i>) is distributed in both Divisions (VIIIc and IXa). There is a certain bathymetric segregation between the two species. <i>L. </i><i>boscii</i> has a preferential depth range of 100 to 450 m and <i>L. </i><i>whiffiagoni</i>s of 50 to 300 m. The perception of the <i>L.</i><i> </i><i>whiffiagonis</i> stock has changed compared to the last assessment in 2007. For <i>L.</i><i> </i><i>whiffiagonis</i> SSB in recent years is now estimated to be lower than it was in 2007, and recruitment continues to be very low. Therefore strong measures should be taken to improve the stock status. Discards of megrim are substantial. For <i>L. </i><i>whiffiagonis</i> between 15 % and 45 % of the total catches in numbers are discarded. In the last two years discards of this stock are very low, providing a further indication of low recruitment. For <i>L. </i><i>boscii</i> between 40 % and 62 % of the total catches in numbers are discarded. Landings in 2007 and 2008 have been below the TAC. TACs for combined megrim stocks have not been restrictive, and the fishing mortality of both stock are above candidates for F_MSY. Following the EU Commission consultation paper on TACs for 2010 (COM(2009) 224, 12 May 2009), this corresponds to a TAC reduction of 36%. ICES has not evaluated the proposed option in relation to the precautionary approach. <b>Scientific basis</b> <i>Data and methods</i> <font color="#000000">Age-based (XSA) assessments were conducted for each species separately. They are based on landings data, two commercial </font><font color="#000000">lpue</font><font color="#000000"> series, and one </font><font color="#000000">cpue</font><font color="#000000"> survey series.</font><font color="#000000"> </font> <font color="#000000">Portuguese and Spanish landings of megrim were split into the two species using their relative abundances in the sampled landings. Discards data are not used in this assessment because of the lack of data in some years. </font> <i>Uncertainties in assessment and forecast</i> The assessments are uncertain. There is a consistent retrospective pattern with an overestimation of SSB. This has led to a new perception of the stock development especially for L. whiffiagonis. The lpue series from the La Coruña trawl fleet has been used only up to 1999 for L. boscii. For the most recent years, only a Spanish survey series is used for tuning in the L. boscii assessment. There are no tuning indices for a large proportion of Division IXa. Since the proportion of catch discarded is in the range of 0.15 – 0.65 (in numbers) the effect of excluding discards from the assessments could compromise their quality. <i>Comparison with previous assessment and advice</i> <font color="#000000">The current assessments are consistent with last assessments. </font><font color="#000000">For </font><font color="#000000">L. </font><font color="#000000">whiffiagonis</font><font color="#000000">, SSB in 2007 was revised 18</font><font color="#000000"> </font><font color="#000000">% do</font><font color="#000000">w</font><font color="#000000">nwards and F in 2006 was revised 24</font><font color="#000000"> </font><font color="#000000">% upwards. For </font><font color="#000000">L. </font><font color="#000000">boscii</font><font color="#000000">, SSB in 2007 was revised 1</font><font color="#000000"> </font><font color="#000000">% downwards and F in 2006 was revised 7</font><font color="#000000"> </font><font color="#000000">% upwards. The advice</font><font color="#000000"> this year is based on high long-term yield. Last year the advice was based on precautionary considerations. </font> <table class="firmsResourceTable" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td colspan="4" align="center"><b>Spain</b></td> <td align="center"><b>Portugal</b></td> <td align="center"><b>Total</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Year</b></td> <td><b>VIIIc</b></td> <td><b>IXa</b></td> <td><b>Total</b></td> <td><b>IXa</b></td> <td><b>VIIIc</b><b> </b><b>IXa</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>1986</td> <td>508</td> <td>98</td> <td>606</td> <td>53</td> <td>659</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1987</td> <td>404</td> <td>46</td> <td>450</td> <td>47</td> <td>497</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1988</td> <td>657</td> <td>59</td> <td>716</td> <td>101</td> <td>817</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1989</td> <td>533</td> <td>45</td> <td>578</td> <td>136</td> <td>714</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1990</td> <td>841</td> <td>25</td> <td>866</td> <td>111</td> <td>977</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1991</td> <td>494</td> <td>16</td> <td>510</td> <td>104</td> <td>614</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1992</td> <td>474</td> <td>5</td> <td>479</td> <td>37</td> <td>516</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1993</td> <td>338</td> <td>7</td> <td>345</td> <td>38</td> <td>383</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1994</td> <td>440</td> <td>8</td> <td>448</td> <td>31</td> <td>479</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1995</td> <td>173</td> <td>20</td> <td>193</td> <td>25</td> <td>218</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1996</td> <td>283</td> <td>21</td> <td>305</td> <td>24</td> <td>329</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1997</td> <td>298</td> <td>12</td> <td>310</td> <td>46</td> <td>356</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1998</td> <td>372</td> <td>8</td> <td>380</td> <td>66</td> <td>446</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1999</td> <td>332</td> <td>4</td> <td>336</td> <td>7</td> <td>343</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2000</td> <td>238</td> <td>5</td> <td>243</td> <td>10</td> <td>253</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2001</td> <td>167</td> <td>2</td> <td>169</td> <td>5</td> <td>175</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2002</td> <td>112</td> <td>3</td> <td>115</td> <td>3</td> <td>117</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2003</td> <td>113</td> <td>3</td> <td>116</td> <td>17</td> <td>134</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2004</td> <td>142</td> <td>1</td> <td>144</td> <td>5</td> <td>149</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2005</td> <td>120</td> <td>1</td> <td>121</td> <td>26</td> <td>147</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2006</td> <td>173</td> <td>2</td> <td>175</td> <td>35</td> <td>210</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2007</td> <td>139</td> <td>2</td> <td>141</td> <td>14</td> <td>155</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2008</td> <td>159</td> <td>2</td> <td>161</td> <td>17</td> <td>178</td> </tr> </table> <table class="firmsResourceTable" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td colspan="4" align="center"><b>Spain</b></td> <td align="center"><b>Portugal</b></td> <td align="center"><b>Total</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Year</b></td> <td><b>VIIIc</b></td> <td><b>IXa</b></td> <td><b>Total</b></td> <td><b>IXa</b></td> <td><b>VIIIc</b><b> </b><b>IXa</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>1986</td> <td>799</td> <td>197</td> <td>996</td> <td>128</td> <td>1124</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1987</td> <td>995</td> <td>586</td> <td>1581</td> <td>107</td> <td>1688</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1988</td> <td>917</td> <td>1099</td> <td>2016</td> <td>207</td> <td>2223</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1989</td> <td>805</td> <td>1548</td> <td>2353</td> <td>276</td> <td>2629</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1990</td> <td>927</td> <td>798</td> <td>1725</td> <td>220</td> <td>1945</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1991</td> <td>841</td> <td>634</td> <td>1475</td> <td>207</td> <td>1682</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1992</td> <td>654</td> <td>938</td> <td>1592</td> <td>324</td> <td>1916</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1993</td> <td>744</td> <td>419</td> <td>1163</td> <td>221</td> <td>1384</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1994</td> <td>665</td> <td>561</td> <td>1227</td> <td>176</td> <td>1403</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1995</td> <td>685</td> <td>826</td> <td>1512</td> <td>141</td> <td>1652</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1996</td> <td>480</td> <td>448</td> <td>928</td> <td>170</td> <td>1098</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1997</td> <td>505</td> <td>289</td> <td>794</td> <td>101</td> <td>896</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1998</td> <td>725</td> <td>284</td> <td>1010</td> <td>113</td> <td>1123</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1999</td> <td>713</td> <td>298</td> <td>1011</td> <td>114</td> <td>1125</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2000</td> <td>674</td> <td>225</td> <td>899</td> <td>142</td> <td>1041</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2001</td> <td>629</td> <td>177</td> <td>807</td> <td>124</td> <td>931</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2002</td> <td>343</td> <td>247</td> <td>590</td> <td>130</td> <td>720</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2003</td> <td>393</td> <td>314</td> <td>707</td> <td>169</td> <td>876</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2004</td> <td>534</td> <td>295</td> <td>829</td> <td>177</td> <td>1006</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2005</td> <td>473</td> <td>321</td> <td>794</td> <td>189</td> <td>983</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2006</td> <td>542</td> <td>348</td> <td>891</td> <td>201</td> <td>1092</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2007</td> <td>591</td> <td>295</td> <td>886</td> <td>218</td> <td>1104</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2008</td> <td>500</td> <td>262</td> <td>761</td> <td>172</td> <td>933</td> </tr> </table> <table class="firmsResourceTable" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>Year</p> <p/> </td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>Recruitment</p> <p>Age 1</p> <p>thousands</p> </td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>SSB</p> <p>tonnes</p> </td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>Landings</p> <p>tonnes</p> </td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>Mean F</p> <p>Ages 2-4</p> <p/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>1986</td> <td>9304</td> <td>2260</td> <td>659</td> <td>0.336</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1987</td> <td>12271</td> <td>1895</td> <td>497</td> <td>0.299</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1988</td> <td>11012</td> <td>2276</td> <td>817</td> <td>0.438</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1989</td> <td>9577</td> <td>2614</td> <td>714</td> <td>0.368</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1990</td> <td>12259</td> <td>2690</td> <td>977</td> <td>0.397</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1991</td> <td>4845</td> <td>1715</td> <td>614</td> <td>0.414</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1992</td> <td>10307</td> <td>1681</td> <td>516</td> <td>0.378</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1993</td> <td>4265</td> <td>1468</td> <td>383</td> <td>0.285</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1994</td> <td>1326</td> <td>1168</td> <td>479</td> <td>0.422</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1995</td> <td>8688</td> <td>990</td> <td>218</td> <td>0.190</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1996</td> <td>8117</td> <td>1305</td> <td>329</td> <td>0.189</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1997</td> <td>6594</td> <td>1412</td> <td>356</td> <td>0.219</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1998</td> <td>4137</td> <td>1369</td> <td>446</td> <td>0.359</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1999</td> <td>2137</td> <td>1195</td> <td>343</td> <td>0.270</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2000</td> <td>3282</td> <td>1341</td> <td>253</td> <td>0.236</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2001</td> <td>3134</td> <td>1030</td> <td>175</td> <td>0.208</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2002</td> <td>2635</td> <td>1025</td> <td>117</td> <td>0.131</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2003</td> <td>2899</td> <td>1157</td> <td>134</td> <td>0.154</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2004</td> <td>3111</td> <td>892</td> <td>149</td> <td>0.168</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2005</td> <td>2920</td> <td>934</td> <td>147</td> <td>0.199</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2006</td> <td>2801</td> <td>974</td> <td>210</td> <td>0.294</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2007</td> <td>3628</td> <td>905</td> <td>155</td> <td>0.209</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2008</td> <td>1666</td> <td>902</td> <td>178</td> <td>0.200</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2009</td> <td>2964</td> <td>906</td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Average</td> <td>5578</td> <td>1421</td> <td>385</td> <td>0.277</td> </tr> </table> <table class="firmsResourceTable" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>Year</p> <p/> </td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>Recruitment</p> <p>Age 0</p> <p>thousands</p> </td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>SSB</p> <p>tonnes</p> </td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>Landings</p> <p>tonnes</p> </td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>Mean F</p> <p>Ages 2-4</p> <p/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>1986</td> <td>54114</td> <td>5772</td> <td>1124</td> <td>0.257</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1987</td> <td>34707</td> <td>7071</td> <td>1688</td> <td>0.326</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1988</td> <td>38734</td> <td>7898</td> <td>2223</td> <td>0.372</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1989</td> <td>34304</td> <td>7548</td> <td>2629</td> <td>0.501</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1990</td> <td>21137</td> <td>6707</td> <td>1945</td> <td>0.323</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1991</td> <td>43639</td> <td>6067</td> <td>1682</td> <td>0.263</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1992</td> <td>40323</td> <td>5455</td> <td>1916</td> <td>0.485</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1993</td> <td>12533</td> <td>5589</td> <td>1384</td> <td>0.380</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1994</td> <td>30461</td> <td>5331</td> <td>1403</td> <td>0.370</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1995</td> <td>36420</td> <td>4723</td> <td>1652</td> <td>0.471</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1996</td> <td>24332</td> <td>4456</td> <td>1098</td> <td>0.339</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1997</td> <td>21304</td> <td>4311</td> <td>896</td> <td>0.223</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1998</td> <td>10421</td> <td>4680</td> <td>1123</td> <td>0.282</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1999</td> <td>21701</td> <td>4401</td> <td>1125</td> <td>0.287</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2000</td> <td>25647</td> <td>4176</td> <td>1041</td> <td>0.275</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2001</td> <td>26755</td> <td>3798</td> <td>931</td> <td>0.288</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2002</td> <td>26964</td> <td>4395</td> <td>720</td> <td>0.253</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2003</td> <td>34848</td> <td>4528</td> <td>876</td> <td>0.261</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2004</td> <td>27648</td> <td>4438</td> <td>1006</td> <td>0.329</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2005</td> <td>34384</td> <td>4602</td> <td>983</td> <td>0.262</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2006</td> <td>21796</td> <td>5130</td> <td>1092</td> <td>0.310</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2007</td> <td>19130</td> <td>5033</td> <td>1104</td> <td>0.235</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2008</td> <td>18914</td> <td>5228</td> <td>933</td> <td>0.230</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2009</td> <td>25491</td> <td>5001</td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Average</td> <td>28571</td> <td>5264</td> <td>1329</td> <td>0.318</td> </tr> </table> <b>Four-spotted megrim (</b><b><i>L. </i></b><b><i>boscii</i></b><b>) in Divisions </b><b>VIIIc</b><b> and </b><b>IXa</b> <table class="firmsResourceTable" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Fish Mort</td> <td>Yield/R</td> <td>SSB/R</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Ages 2–4</td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Average last 3 years</td> <td>0.26</td> <td>0.04</td> <td>0.21</td> </tr> <tr> <td>F_0.1</td> <td>0.18</td> <td>0.04</td> <td>0.25</td> </tr> <tr> <td>F_med</td> <td>0.31</td> <td>0.04</td> <td>0.18</td> </tr> </table> Candidate target reference points which are consistent with taking high long-term yields and achieving a low risk of depleting the productive potential of the stock may be identified around F_0.1. <b><font color="#000000">Megrim (</font></b><b><font color="#000000"><i>L. </i></font></b><b><font color="#000000"><i>whiffiagonis</i></font></b><b><font color="#000000">) in Divisions </font></b><b><font color="#000000">VIIIc</font></b><b><font color="#000000"> and </font></b><b><font color="#000000">IXa</font></b> <table class="firmsResourceTable" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Fish Mort</td> <td>Yield/R</td> <td>SSB/R</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Ages 2–4</td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Average last 3 years</td> <td>0.23</td> <td>0.07</td> <td>0.37</td> </tr> <tr> <td>F_0.1</td> <td>0.17</td> <td>0.07</td> <td>0.45</td> </tr> <tr> <td>F_med</td> <td>0.26</td> <td>0.07</td> <td>0.34</td> </tr> </table> Candidate target reference points which are consistent with taking high long-term yields and achieving a low risk of depleting the productive potential of the stock may be identified around F_0.1. <i>L. </i><i>whiff.</i>: Basis: F_sq = mean F(06–08) unscaled = 0.23; R09–10 = GM 1998–2006 = 3 million; landings (2009) = 0.18; SSB(2010) = 0.94.<br/> <i>L. </i><i>boscii</i>: Basis: F_sq = mean F(06–08) unscaled = 0.26; R09–10 = GM 1990–2006 = 25 million; landings (2009) = 1.12; SSB(2010) = 4.83. <table class="firmsResourceTable" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td colspan="3"><b><i>L. </i></b><b><i>whiffiagonis</i></b></td> <td colspan="3"><b><i>L. </i></b><b><i>boscii</i></b></td> <td><b>%TAC </b><b>change</b><b> </b><b>²⁾</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Rationale</b></td> <td><b>Landings</b><b> </b><b><i>L. </i></b><b><i>whiff</i></b><b>. (2010)</b></td> <td><b>Landings</b><b> </b><b><i>L. </i></b><b><i>boscii</i></b><b><i> </i></b><b>(2010)</b></td> <td><b>Combined</b><b> </b><b>landings</b><b> (2010)</b></td> <td><b>Basis</b></td> <td><b>F (2010)</b></td> <td><b>SSB (2011)</b></td> <td><b>%SSB </b><b>change</b><b> </b><b>¹⁾</b></td> <td><b>F (2010)</b></td> <td><b>SSBB (2011)</b></td> <td><b>%SSB </b><b>change</b><b> </b><b>¹⁾</b></td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Zero catch</td> <td>0.000</td> <td>0.000</td> <td>0.000</td> <td>F=0</td> <td>0.00</td> <td>1.19</td> <td>26%</td> <td>0.00</td> <td>5.99</td> <td>24%</td> <td>-100%</td> </tr> <tr> <td>High long term yield (candidate)</td> <td>0.137</td> <td>0.777</td> <td>0.914</td> <td>F_0.1</td> <td>0.17</td> <td>1.03</td> <td>10%</td> <td>0.18</td> <td>5.14</td> <td>6%</td> <td>-36%</td> </tr> <tr> <td><i>Status quo</i></td> <td>0.021</td> <td>0.120</td> <td>0.141</td> <td>Fsq *0.1</td> <td>0.02</td> <td>1.16</td> <td>24%</td> <td>0.03</td> <td>5.85</td> <td>21%</td> <td>-90%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>0.041</td> <td>0.237</td> <td>0.278</td> <td>Fsq *0.2</td> <td>0.05</td> <td>1.14</td> <td>21%</td> <td>0.05</td> <td>5.73</td> <td>18%</td> <td>-81%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>0.099</td> <td>0.565</td> <td>0.664</td> <td>Fsq *0.5</td> <td>0.12</td> <td>1.07</td> <td>14%</td> <td>0.13</td> <td>5.37</td> <td>11%</td> <td>-54%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>0.144</td> <td>0.816</td> <td>0.960</td> <td>Fsq *0.75</td> <td>0.18</td> <td>1.02</td> <td>9%</td> <td>0.19</td> <td>5.10</td> <td>5%</td> <td>-33%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>0.170</td> <td>0.958</td> <td>1.128</td> <td>Fsq *0.9</td> <td>0.21</td> <td>0.99</td> <td>6%</td> <td>0.23</td> <td>4.94</td> <td>2%</td> <td>-21%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>0.187</td> <td>1.049</td> <td>1.236</td> <td>Fsq</td> <td>0.23</td> <td>0.98</td> <td>4%</td> <td>0.26</td> <td>4.85</td> <td>0%</td> <td>-14%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>0.203</td> <td>1.137</td> <td>1.340</td> <td>Fsq *1.1</td> <td>0.26</td> <td>0.96</td> <td>2%</td> <td>0.28</td> <td>4.75</td> <td>-2%</td> <td>-6%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>0.226</td> <td>1.264</td> <td>1.490</td> <td>Fsq *1.25</td> <td>0.29</td> <td>0.93</td> <td>-1%</td> <td>0.32</td> <td>4.61</td> <td>-5%</td> <td>4%</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="12"> <p>All weights in ‘000 tonnes.</p> <p>¹⁾ SSB 2011 relative to SSB 2010.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <b>Single-stock exploitation boundaries</b> <b>Considering the options below, ICES advises on the basis of exploitation boundaries in relation to high-long term yield and low risk of depletion of the production potential that combined catches of </b><b><i>L. </i></b><b><i>whiffiagonis</i></b><b> and </b><b><i>L. </i></b><b><i>boscii</i></b><b> should not exceed 900 t.</b> <font color="#000000"><i>Exploitation boundaries in relation to high long-term yield, low risk of depletion of production potential and considering ecosystem effects</i></font> 2008 fishing mortality for <i>L. </i><i>whiffiagonis</i> estimated <font color="#000000">at 0.20</font><font color="#000000">,</font><font color="#000000"> is a</font>bove F_0.1<font color="#000000">= 0.17</font>. 2008 fishing mortality for <i>L. </i><i>boscii</i><i> </i>estimated at 0.23, is above F_0.1 = 0.18. Fishing at F_0.1 in 2010 is predicted to generate SSBs in 2011 that are 6-10% higher than in 2010 for the two megrim stocks <table class="firmsResourceTable" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><b>Year</b></td> <td><b>ICES</b><b> </b><b>Advice/ Single-stock exploitation boundaries from 2005</b></td> <td><b>Predicted catch</b><b> </b><b>corresp</b><b>.</b><b> </b><b>to advice</b><b>¹</b></td> <td><b>Predicted catch </b><b>corresp</b><b> to single-stock exploitation boundaries</b></td> <td> <p><b>Agreed</b></p> <p><b>TAC</b><b>¹</b></p> </td> <td> <p><b>ICES</b></p> <p><b>landings</b><b>¹</b></p> </td> <td> <p><b>Landings</b></p> <p><b><i>L. </i></b><b><i>boscii</i></b></p> </td> <td> <p><b>Landings</b></p> <p><b><i>L. whiff</i></b><b>.</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>1987</td> <td>Not dealt with</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>13.0</td> <td>2.19</td> <td>1.69</td> <td>0.50</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1988</td> <td>Not dealt with</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>13.0</td> <td>3.04</td> <td>2.22</td> <td>0.82</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1989</td> <td>Not dealt with</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>13.0</td> <td>3.34</td> <td>2.63</td> <td>0.71</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1990</td> <td>Not dealt with</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>13.0</td> <td>2.93</td> <td>1.95</td> <td>0.98</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1991</td> <td>No advice</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>14.3</td> <td>2.29</td> <td>1.68</td> <td>0.61</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1992</td> <td>No advice</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>14.3</td> <td>2.44</td> <td>1.92</td> <td>0.52</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1993</td> <td><i>L. </i><i>boscii</i> no gain in increasing F, <i>L. whiff</i><i>.</i> safe biological limits</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>8.0</td> <td>1.76</td> <td>1.38</td> <td>0.38</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1994</td> <td>No l gains in increasing F</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>6.0</td> <td>1.88</td> <td>1.40</td> <td>0.48</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1995</td> <td>Concern about low SSB</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>6.0</td> <td>1.87</td> <td>1.65</td> <td>0.22</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1996</td> <td>Mixed fishing aspects</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>6.0</td> <td>1.43</td> <td>1.10</td> <td>0.33</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1997</td> <td>Reduce F by at least 50%</td> <td>-</td> <td> </td> <td>6.0</td> <td>1.25</td> <td>0.90</td> <td>0.36</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1998</td> <td>Reduce F by at least 50%</td> <td>0.9</td> <td> </td> <td>6.0</td> <td>1.57</td> <td>1.12</td> <td>0.45</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1999</td> <td>Reduce F by at least 50%</td> <td>1.0</td> <td> </td> <td>6.0</td> <td>1.46</td> <td>1.12</td> <td>0.35</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2000</td> <td>Reduce F by at least 20%</td> <td>&lt; 1.5</td> <td> </td> <td>5.0</td> <td>1.29</td> <td>1.04</td> <td>0.25</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2001</td> <td>No increase in F</td> <td>1.61</td> <td> </td> <td>5.0</td> <td>1.11</td> <td>0.93</td> <td>0.18</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2002</td> <td>No increase in F</td> <td>1.55</td> <td> </td> <td>4.0</td> <td>0.84</td> <td>0.72</td> <td>0.12</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2003</td> <td>No increase in F</td> <td>1.55</td> <td> </td> <td>2.4</td> <td>1.01</td> <td>0.88</td> <td>0.13</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2004</td> <td>No increase in F</td> <td>1.38</td> <td> </td> <td>1.336</td> <td>1.14</td> <td>0.99</td> <td>0.15</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2005</td> <td>No increase in F</td> <td><i>1.09</i><i>²</i></td> <td>1.05</td> <td>1.336</td> <td>1.13</td> <td>0.98</td> <td>0.15</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2006</td> <td>No increase in F</td> <td> </td> <td>1.2</td> <td>1.269</td> <td>1.30</td> <td>1.09</td> <td>0.21</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2007</td> <td>No increase in F</td> <td> </td> <td>1.4</td> <td>1.440</td> <td>1.26</td> <td>1.10</td> <td>0.16</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2008</td> <td>No increase in F</td> <td> </td> <td>1.4</td> <td>1.430</td> <td>1.11</td> <td>0.93</td> <td>0.18</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2009</td> <td>Same advice as last year</td> <td> </td> <td>1.4</td> <td>1.430</td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>2010</td> <td>Reduce F to F_0.1</td> <td> </td> <td>0.9</td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="8"> <p>Weights in ‘000 t.</p> <p>¹<i>L. </i><i>whiffiagonis</i><i>+ L. </i><i>boscii</i>. </p> <p>²Single-stock boundary and the exploitation of this stock should be conducted in the context of mixed fisheries.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <b>Factors affecting the fisheries and the stock</b> <i>Regulations and their effects</i> Megrims are caught in a mixed fisheries context. Regulations intended to protect others species, mainly hake and Nephrops, could have an effect on megrim stocks. The minimum mesh size for towed gears catching megrims ranges between 40 and 90 mm. The minimum landing size of megrims is 20 cm. <i>Changes in fishing technology and fishing patterns</i> <font color="#000000">Both species are caught in the mixed bottom trawl fisheries by Portuguese and Spanish fleets. Both species are also taken in small quantities by the Portuguese artisanal fleet. During the last decade, the Spanish trawl fleet has changed the main target species focusing more often on species such as horse mackerel, blue whiting, or mackerel, and do not us</font><font color="#000000">ually take megrim in the catch.</font> <table class="firmsResourceTable" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;">Spawning biomass in relation to precautionary limits</td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;">Fishing mortality in relation to precautionary limits</td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;">Fishing mortality in relation to high long-term yield</td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;">Fishing mortality in relation to agreed targets</td> <td style="border-bottom: 1px solid;"> <p>Comment</p> <p/> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Undefined</td> <td>Undefined</td> <td> <p>Overfished (<i>L. </i><i>boscii</i>),</p> <p>Overfished (<i>L. </i><i>whiffiagonis</i>)</p> </td> <td>NA</td> <td> </td> </tr> </table> In the absence of defined precautionary reference points, the state of the two stocks cannot be evaluated with regard to these. SSB of both species has decreased since the late 1980s. However, SSB<i> </i>for<i> </i><i>L. </i><i>boscii</i><i> </i>shows a slightly upwards trend after reaching a minimum in 2001. For both species fishing mortality has decreased since the late 1990s. Recent recruitment for <i>L. </i><i>boscii</i> has been below average. For <i>L. </i><i>w</i><i>h</i><i>iffiagonis</i> recruitment has been low in the last decade. ICES.2009.Report of the ICES Advisory Committee, 2009. ICES Advice, 2009.