The recommendation reaffirms commitments to a 20-year plan initiated in 1999 and ongoing through 2018. It recognizes increased spawning stock biomass and ongoing uncertainties in recruitment scenarios. The recommendation maintains measures to control fishing effort and total allowable catches (TAC), with periodic reviews based on scientific advice to adjust limits as necessary for sustaining maximum sustainable yield (MSY). It emphasizes enhanced biological sampling, data sharing, and cooperation among participating parties to address wildlife population uncertainties, with provisions for suspension of fisheries if stock collapse risks arise. The document also highlights the influence of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stock management on the western stock recovery and reinforces reporting, monitoring, and size restrictions to protect juvenile fish, alongside advancing collaborative scientific research under ICCAT’s oversight to support adaptive management and sustainable fishery practices.
2016-01-01