Clarifying evidence on alternative stock structure hypotheses for sardine

Ultimately the choice of the sardine component of the revised sardine-anchovy OMP, and particularly the details of the possible two-area aspect thereof, is going to depend on the relative plausibility assigned (whether explicitly or by implicit “human integration”) to alternative stock structure hypotheses for the regions east and west of Agulhas which are harvested by the current fishery.

This, no doubt, is a matter on which we would wish to seek the benefit of comments by the Panel at the regular International Review Workshop to be held this year commencing on November 28. That is turn will require a short summary document of current understanding and available analyses.