Initial Directed Sardine and Anchovy TACs and TABs for 2017, using OMP-14
The anchovy initial TAC was subject to the constraint of a maximum decrease from the “two -tier threshold”, as the TAC in 2016 was above this threshold of 330 000t. This is a threshold above which high TACs can be awarded during years of high survey estimates of abundance and recruitment, with the provision that the TAC in the following year will be restricted by a 25% reduction from this threshold rather than a 25% reduction from the relatively high TAC.
The sardine biomass was below the Exceptional Circumstances threshold of 300 000t. This is a threshold below which the TAC is rapidly lowered with decreasing survey estimates of biomass in order to maintain the sustainability of the resource. The Exceptional Circumstances rule goes hand-in-hand with the ‘minimum’ TAC; a level at which TACs are maintained for as long as possible, despite decreasing biomass.
Under Exceptional Circumstances only half of the OMP calculated directed sardine TAC is recommended at the start of the year. This initial TAC will be revised mid-year once the results of the May survey are available. The ≤14cm sardine TAB associated with this directed sardine TAC is thus also an initial recommendation and its revision mid-year will depend on any revision to the directed >14cm sardine TAC.
Under OMP-14, the final directed >14cm sardine TAC for 2017 would depend on the survey estimate of sardine recruitment in May/June 2017, and would range from this initial TAC of 29 955t to a maximum of 65 902t. However, it is expected that a new OMP (OMP-17) will be adopted before the final small pelagic TACs and TABs for 2017 are recommended.
The >14cm sardine TAB with directed round herring and anchovy fishing, the ≤14cm sardine TAB with directed round herring fishing and the anchovy TAB for sardine only right holders are final for the year.
The sardine biomass was below the Exceptional Circumstances threshold of 300 000t. This is a threshold below which the TAC is rapidly lowered with decreasing survey estimates of biomass in order to maintain the sustainability of the resource. The Exceptional Circumstances rule goes hand-in-hand with the ‘minimum’ TAC; a level at which TACs are maintained for as long as possible, despite decreasing biomass.
Under Exceptional Circumstances only half of the OMP calculated directed sardine TAC is recommended at the start of the year. This initial TAC will be revised mid-year once the results of the May survey are available. The ≤14cm sardine TAB associated with this directed sardine TAC is thus also an initial recommendation and its revision mid-year will depend on any revision to the directed >14cm sardine TAC.
Under OMP-14, the final directed >14cm sardine TAC for 2017 would depend on the survey estimate of sardine recruitment in May/June 2017, and would range from this initial TAC of 29 955t to a maximum of 65 902t. However, it is expected that a new OMP (OMP-17) will be adopted before the final small pelagic TACs and TABs for 2017 are recommended.
The >14cm sardine TAB with directed round herring and anchovy fishing, the ≤14cm sardine TAB with directed round herring fishing and the anchovy TAB for sardine only right holders are final for the year.
