WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) January 24, 2013 – The New England Fishery Management Council's (NEFMC) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) met yesterday to review allowable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine cod, as well as for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder. These ABC's would apply to fishing years 2013 through 2015 and will be reviewed at the NEFMC's upcoming full council meeting.
In light of uncertainties surrounding benchmark assessment and projection data, the SSC decided to pass along two alternatives to the NEFMC's full council for Gulf of Maine cod. One of these models recommends a constant catch ABC of 1,249 metric tons, while the other recommends a constant catch ABC of 1,550 metric tons. While both alternatives end overfishing in 2013 under a base case model and both reduce the risk of flawed projections threatening the stock, the 1,249 metric ton model would have a greater impact on fishing revenues. Both ABCs will be passed along to the NEFMC full council, however the SSC plans to recommend the 1,249 metric ton option.
For Georges Bank cod, the SSC recommended an ABC of 2,506 metric tons.
During the afternoon portion of the meeting, the SSC decided on an ABC recommendation for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder. Under a constant catch approach, an ABC of 1,676 metric tons will be passed along to the NEFMC's full council in the hope that this ABC will keep winter flounder catch on track with its expected long-term yield under a scenario in which its recruitment remains consistent with recent values.
Saving Seafood will post audio highlights of the meeting in the near future.