The text provides that the management procedure for western Atlantic skipjack tuna aims to maintain the stock within sustainable levels while ensuring stability and maximizing yield. Specifically, it targets a 60% or greater probability of the stock remaining in the healthy (green) zone of the Kobe matrix over a 30-year projection, limits the risk of falling below 0.4 BMSY to 10% or less, maximizes catch levels, and restricts total allowable catch (TAC) changes to within 25% between management periods. A three-year management cycle will begin in 2026 with constant annual TACs set based on scientific modeling by the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS), which will also identify any exceptional circumstances requiring alternative management action. The SCRS will finalize the tuning of the management procedure in 2025, while Panel 1 will develop mechanisms to maintain catches within TAC limits and establish an exceptional circumstances protocol for Commission approval.
2024-01-01