ABCControlRule-SouthAtlanticFisheryManagement.PDFVIP

Proposed South Atlantic Council ABC Control Rule Report of the SAFMC SSC September 2009 Revised August 2010, April 2011 Background The SAMFC SSC first discussed acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rules in June 2008 in response to publication of a proposed rule addressing National Standards 1 (NS1) guidelines for the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization (MSRA). An issue paper outlining various alternative approaches to establishing ABC was provided to the Council in September 2008. The Council supported further developing a control rule approach which specified ABC as a function of yield at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and assessment uncertainty. The Council further specified that ABC should be set at a level providing a 25% chance of overfishing, with a range of values corresponding to 10 to 50% chance of overfishing. The Council intends to specify ABC control rules in its comprehensive annual catch limit (ACL) amendment. Although the approach suggested in September 2008 provides guidance for assessed stocks for which the probability of overfishing can be provided in terms of yield, it does not address those stocks that lack assessments. Therefore, the SSC requested a special meeting for March 2009 devoted solely to developing an ABC control rule that could be applied to all managed stocks. During that meeting, the SSC developed the control rule reflected in this document after much deliberation and discussion. First, the group decided on general characteristics and components of the rule and developed a framework of dimensions and tiers. Dimensions reflect the critical characteristics to evaluate, including data and assessment information availability and life history traits. Tiers are objective levels within dimensions that reflect the range of information available. Each tier is assigned a scor