Monitoring the proportion of directed sardine catch west and east of Cape Agulhas

The initial recommendation of the Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group for the sustainable management of small pelagic resources for the season 2014 (FISHERIES/2013/DEC/SWG-PEL/68) included the following statement: “Industry associations request their members to spread their combined effort such that the overall directed sardine catch is in proportion to the observed biomass distribution in November 2013. For 2014 we would encourage them not to exceed catching 70% of the directed sardine TAC west of Cape Agulhas (west of 20° E).”

This document considers the proportions of directed sardine catch west and east of Cape Agulhas taken up to 30th April 2014.