European sea bass managementLisa Readdy, Cefas. 18/09/2013

- What do we know about Bass

- History of the bass fishery

- Recent and future developments

Bass, what do we know?

Sea bass stock structure: current thinking

Do fisheries in one area affect future catches in another area?

Four stock assessment areas identified:

Image - Ifremer

Less information available on French nursery areas.

Development of area IV-VII commercial fishery.

Landings increased in all areas following 1989 year class and subsequent good recruitment. Bulk of catch is by France

Discarding of sea bass in IV & VII: mainly MLS driven

% discarded greatest for UK and French otter trawls (~ 12% by weight)

Other gears very low discard rates < 1 or 2% typically

Discarding by otter trawls largest near important nursery grounds e.g. in VIId

Could be improved by more selective gears and spatial management measures.

Recreational bass fishing: recent survey estimatesInternational recreational fishery removals in IV+VII (mainly angling):

probably around 20% of total fishery removals

Recreational fisheries information required through EU regulations (Data collection framework)

Data for England recently collected by Sea Angling 2012 is contributing to this along with France and the Netherlands.

Recent developments

Stock trends in area IV & VII: ICES WGCSE2013 results

Expect continuing biomass decline until recruitment improves and F is reduced towards a more sustainable value (Fmsy). 2013 assessment update shows progressive loss of old bass (> 15 or 20 years of age) from population.

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

1985 1991 1997 2003 2009

Re

lati

ve

F (

ag

es

5-1

1)

Relative Fishing Mortality

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

1985 1991 1997 2003 2009

Re

lati

ve

re

cru

itm

en

t

Recruitment (age 0)

0.0

0.4

0.8

1.2

1.6

1985 1991 1997 2003 2009

Re

lati

ve

Bio

ma

ss

Relative Stock Biomass

0

1

2

3

4

5

1985 1991 1997 2003 2009

Com

mer

cial

land

ings

in 1

000

t Commercial landings

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0

Rela

tive

TSB

Relative Fishing Mortality

2012

F (Fishing Mortality)

2010–2012

Qualitative evaluation Above possible reference points

SSB (Spawning Stock Biomass)

2008–2012

Qualitative evaluation Decreasing

Longer term trends in recruitment and sea temperature

Cold winter temperatures can lead to high mortality of 0-gp and 1-gp bass.

Warmer period from 1989 to early 2000s coincides with stronger recruitment.

Some recent winters have been cold - recruitment appears low.

(2013 assessment – provisional; coastal temperatures from Cefas website)

ICES approach to data-limited stocks

For this stock the total biomass is estimated to have decreased by more than 20% between the periods 2008–2010 (average of the three years) and 2011–2012 (average of the two years). This implies a decrease in commercial landings of least 20% compared to the average landings of the last three years, corresponding to commercial landings of no more than 3383 t.

Additionally, considering that the stock is considered overexploited, ICES advises that commercial landings should decrease by a further 20% as a precautionary buffer. This results in commercial landings of no more than 2707 t in 2014.

Discards and recreation catches are not included in the assessment at present.

• Future research and developments.

• Defra study program in support of the conservation of Sea Bass.

• Continuation of standard data collections.

Main issues.

- Bass fisheries have expanded over time.

- Vulnerable due to slow growth and relatively late maturity.

- Commercial and recreational fisheries share the resource.

- Management has been largely by technical measures (e.g. MLS; bass nursery areas). Commercial ban in Ireland.

- EU consulting member states on Bass management measures.