This document provides a brief summary of the biomass index data and the catch-at-length data collected thus far for the Leg1 surveys, including the most recent 2013 data. For stock assessment purposes, it has been decided that the operating models will fit to the Leg1 biomass survey index and catch-at-length data only. Leg2 surveys will be discontinued. The rationale for this decision was that whilst the Leg1 surveys were consistently undertaken at the start of each season, the timing of the Leg2 surveys tended to vary somewhat, particularly with respect to the amount of catch that had been taken at the time of the Leg2 survey. It is considered therefore that the Leg2 surveys would not be readily comparable from season to season.
History
Department/Unit
Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town