ICES Upholds Lower 2016 TAC Advice in "Precautionary Approach" for North Sea Horse Mackerel
SEAFOODNEWS.COM by Michael Ramsingh - October 5, 2015
A report by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) recommended that the North Sea horse mackerel catch in 2016 remain at previously adjusted lower levels but that the herring catch in the Northeast Atlantic catch could go higher based on the maximum sustainable yield.
According to the ICES report, a "precautionary approach" was recommended for the 2016 horse mackerel catch in North Sea waters. The Council said the catch should remain at this season's total of 15,200 tons. This upholds the significant 50 percent reduction made to the TAC between 2014 and 2015.
"Given the uncertainty in the indices used it is unclear how the reduction in catches to 2014 has impacted on the stock at present, and the advice is to maintain catches at a low level until the indices clearly indicate a change in stock abundance," the Council said.
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