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Atlanto-Scandian herring

ARRANGEMENT ON THE LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT OF THE NORWEGIAN SPRING SPAWNING HERRING (ATLANTO-SCANDIAN HERRING) STOCK

The Parties (EU, Norway, Iceland, Faroese, Russia) agreed to implement a long-term management plan for the Norwegian spring spawning herring (Atlanto-Scandian herring) stock, which is consistent with a precautionary approach, intended to constrain harvesting within safe biological limits and designed to provide for sustainable fisheries. The plan shall consist the following:

1. Every effort shall be made to maintain a level of Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) greater than the critical level (Blim) of 2 500 000 tonnes.

2. Fore the year 2001 and subsequent years, the Parties agreed to restrict their fishing on the basis of a TAC consistent with a fishing mortality rate of less than 0.125 for appropriate age groups as defined by ICES, unless future scientific advice requires modification of this fishing mortality rate.

3. Should the SSB fall below a reference point of 5 000 000 t (Bpa), the fishing mortality rate, referred to under paragraph 2, shall be adapted in the light of scientific estimates of the conditions then prevailing. Such adaptation shall ensure a safe and rapid recovery of the SSB to a level in excess of 5 000 000 tonnes.

4. The Parties shall, as appropriate, review and revise these management measures and strategies on the basis of any new advice provided by ICES.

entered/updated by (Date)
Cornelius Hammer (15-05-00)/(20-10-00)