MSE work for northern albacore began officially with Recommendation by ICCAT to establish harvest control rules for the North Atlantic albacore stock (Rec. 15-04). The development of the interim HCR at ICCAT was based on simulations conducted using a specifically designed (MSE) framework.
The software for the simulations was reviewed in 2018 (SCRS, 2019). The SCRS concluded that the advice provided was robust to a wide range of uncertainties. The ICCAT Commission adopted in 2017 the Recommendation by ICCAT on a harvest control rule for North Atlantic albacore supplementing the Multiannual Conservation and Management Programme (Rec. 17-04), which included an interim harvest control rule for North Atlantic albacore (Thunnus alalunga), representing the first harvest control rule adopted by ICCAT. The Commission reviewed the interim HCR in 2021 (Recommendation by ICCAT on conservation and management measures, including a Management Procedure and Exceptional Circumstances Protocol, for North Atlantic albacore (Rec. 21-04)) with a view to adopting a long-term management procedure. The Commission also adopted the Exceptional Circumstances protocol for North Atlantic albacore in 2021 (Rec. 21-04, Annex 2). The ICCAT Commission has since 2021 adopted the TAC recommendation for northern Atlantic albacore based on the Management Procedure that included the evaluation of the Exceptional Circumstance protocol every year by the SCRS.
Operating Models (OM). All development works done in 2013-2017.
OM is based on 2015 Multi-fan CL stock assessment. OM historical period years: 1950-2015. Indices: BB, LL,.
Materials are available in the links below
Candidate Management Procedures (CMOs). All development works done in 2013-2017. Five CMPs were originally developed, following 3 CMPs were sent to the Commission for their final selection in 2024. Finally adopted in 2023. Since 2023, TAC is based on the MP
For the final selection of an MP, 2 CMPs were delivered to the Commission.
COMM. Adopted BR as a Management Procedure in 2022 (Rec.22-09)
COMM. Adopted the Exceptional Circumstances Protocol in 2023 (Rec.23-07 Annex 4).
Annually review, SCRS evaluated annually (2023-2024).
There is NO Exceptional Circumstances since 2023
Principles of ECs
1: When there is evidence that the stock and/or fishery dynamics are in states not previously considered to be plausible in the context of the management strategy evaluation (MSE);
2: When there is evidence that the data required to apply the management procedure (MP) are not available or sufficient, or are no longer appropriate; and/or,
3: When there is evidence that total catch for either the West area or the East area is above the total allowable catch (TAC) for the respective area set using the MP.
