A summary of key issues relating to MSC queries about the assessment of deep-water hake (M. paradoxus) as a stock shared between South Africa and Namibia

There is debate concerning how best to address the issue of possible demographic sharing of deep-water hake, M. paradoxus, off Namibia and South Africa in the context of the requirements of MSC certification. These include both assessment and management aspects. While the latter would seem to have been adequately addressed, the former is not completely resolved. Analyses to date indicate that the estimated status of the overall resource under the one extreme of panmixia is always better than for the South African component considered in isolation. The Panel is requested to comment on the South African position that further plausible robustness tests, related especially to likely future resource monitoring data, are very unlikely to change the direction of this effect. This request includes suggesting possibilities for further investigation for which this conclusion might not follow.