Appendix 4c. Progress on the Development of Candidate Management Procedures for the Canadian Pollock in the Western Component (4Xopqrs+5Zc)

Four alternative virtual population analysis (VPA)-based assessments of the Western Component of Canadian pollock are used to provide a Reference Set of Operating Models for an illustrative application of Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) approach to the associated fishery. Results for future total allowable catches (TACs) and resource trends are shown for a variety of Candidate Management Procedures (feedback catch control rules), which are all based on the direct use on an annual survey-based index of abundance. These results are compared to anticipated outcomes under a constant TAC approach. Suggestions are made regarding aspects that need discussion and further refinement if this approach is to be taken further.