The data used in the 2024 sardine assessment

The data used in the South African sardine assessments are not all raw data. Some data have already been subjected to analyses and refinements. These associated calculations are often done “behind the scenes” and their details are seldom recorded. This lack of record can result in a discontinuity in the method used to calculate data for subsequent assessments, particularly if assumptions made in the calculations are not documented and/or a new person becomes responsible for developing the data to be used for input to the assessment. This document serves to record the generation of the data used in the sardine assessment carried out in 2024 – using data up to the end of 2023 ‐ from the raw data.