A Response to FISHERIES/2020/JUL/SWG-PEL/102

Comments in the form of embellishments and caveats are added to the information and suggestions provided in PEL/102. The relative power of alternative future closure patterns should be evaluated by simulation before any choice might be made. Clarification of what future monitoring data are planned to be collected is important. Discussion to clarify different hypotheses on the manner in which closure impacts penguins is required, as this is pertinent to assessing the possible impact of recent MPA declarations on analyses of the impact of closures. In summarizing results for decision makers, benefits for and costs to both penguins and industries need to be quantified; this exercise will need to distinguish (possibly defensibly differing) expert judgements from individual preferences regarding risk, as eventual decisions related to the latter are the responsibility of the decision maker.