Change and stability in landings: the responses of fisheries to scientific advice and TACs1

Abstract

Abstract Patterson, K., and Résimont, M. 2007. Catch and stability in landings: the response of fisheries to scientific advice and TACs. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 714–717. Stability in total allowable catch (TAC) and landings is a principal demand from the fishing sector, and sufficient experience has now been gained in applying the Common Fisheries Policy in European Atlantic waters to allow an initial review of the stability in landings across stocks. Available information is compared across a large number of stocks to determine the relative influence of scientific advice on relative changes in landings, on the decision-making process, and on resulting rates of fishing mortality. The approach differs from the conventional model approaches based on population dynamics, but allows conclusions to be drawn based on recent experience in management. The conclusion is that the most important factor enhancing long-term stability is a low rate of fishing mortality, but that following scientific advice on a year-to-year basis would decrease stability. Unless TACs varied considerably, they did not appear to affect variations in landings significantly.