Initial 2022 projections of the west coast rock lobster resource.

This document presents estimated biomass trajectories for a range of future catch scenarios. Results are computed using the recent 2022 updated stock assessments for each of the five Super-areas. Results presented here are for the resource as a whole. These future projections are also presented for a range of assumptions with respect to the 20211 season local sales of illegally caught lobsters (LS(2021) = 850mt, 700mt, 400mt and 200mt). Results show both positive and negative features compared to those of a year previously, and overall appear compatible with the CAF recommendation from late in 2021 to continue with the phased reduction put forward then of a decrease in the TAC from 700mt to 550mt.