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West Atlantic Skipjack MSE
(Katsuwonus pelamis)
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Overview
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The Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) process for western Atlantic skipjack tuna (WSKJ) has been developed within the ICCAT framework. The process incorporates documentation of its development history and the associated scientific analyses. In accordance with Recommendation 24-04, the Commission plans to adopt both a Management Procedure (MP) and an Exceptional Circumstances Protocol by 2025.
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OM developing
in 2021-2025
Recondition
not planned
MP be adopted
in 2025
MP will be since 2025
ECP adoption
in 2025
EC evaluation
not started
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History
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The western skipjack tuna stock has been identified as a priority for
Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) due to its importance in tropical
tuna fisheries. Initial guidance was provided in Rec. 21-01 (https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2021-01-e.pdf),
which emphasized the need to improve the management of tropical tunas
through the use of harvest control rules and MSE.
Rec. 21-01 (https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2021-01-e.pdf),
along with Res. 15-07 (https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2015-07-e.pdf)
and Rec. 19-14 (https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2019-14-e.pdf),
established a general framework for the development of MSE across
priority stocks, including skipjack. The SCRS identified skipjack (SKJ)
as a priority stock for MSE, particularly due to its involvement in
mixed fisheries with yellowfin and bigeye tuna.
In line with
these directives, the SCRS initiated the development of an MSE framework
for skipjack, with formal work beginning after the 2021 Tropical Tunas
Species Group meeting. This process is aligned with the Commission’s
objective of adopting a harvest strategy for skipjack by 2025.
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Contents
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Operating Models
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The Operating Models (OMs) has been developed. Progress toward MSE
development for Western SKJ is reflected in a series of SCRS and CVSP
documents:
- Huynh
et al. (2020): Demonstration of the Western Atlantic
skipjack tuna MSE framework, including operating-model conditioning
based on Brazilian bait-boat and handline fleet data
- Mourato
et al. (2022): Updated operating models and initial
evaluation of preliminary management procedures across 11 OMs
encompassing key life‑history uncertainties
- Sant’Ana
& Mourato (2023): Development of candidate management
procedures with tuning rules and robustness checks across operating
models
- Sant’Ana
& Mourato (2024): Status update and CMP evaluation
results including performance metrics aligned with ICCAT objectives
These documents provide critical detail on the conditioning of
operating models, robustness testing, and how candidate management
procedures respond under varying assumptions about stock productivity
and recruitment.
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Materials
More materials can be found in Reference
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Management Objectives
Rec. 24-04
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Stock Status
Prob. >= 60% in green quadrant
Safety
Prob. < 10% of stock falling below Blim
Yield
Maximize overall catch
Stability
TAC changes between periods +25%/-25%
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Candidate Management Procedure
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Many Candidate Management Procedures based on both index-based and assessment model-based harvest control rules (HCRs) have been developed. (Sant’Ana and Mourato, 2024)
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Management Procedure
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The Commission will adopt the MP in 2025
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Exceptional Circumstances
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The Commission will adopt the Exceptional Circumstances Protocol in 2025.
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References
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Materials
Rec/Res
Meetings
SCRS Docs
Others
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Updated: July 7, 2025
