On December 5-6, session of Pollock Scientific Council was held in TINRO-Center, Vladivostok. At the Council meeting, specialists of Far-East fishery research institutes and VNIRO, Moscow reviewed and discussed Pollock stock status, coordination of stock surveys in 2016-2017, as well as stock forecast and TAC advice for 2018.
As it was reported by TINRO Pollock and Herring Lab head, Anatoliy Smirnov, at the Pollock Council session specialists from VNIRO, TINRO, KamchatNIRO, SakhalinNIRO, and MagadanNIRO concluded that Pollock stock in the key areas - Sea of Okhotsk and West Bering sea has been stabilized. Pollock stock benefited from favorable natural factors for pollock reproduction in first part of 2010s. High-yield generations of recent years will keep the stocks on the multi-year average level. Rational and sustainable management efforts will guarantee good fishing in next years.
The scientists discussed Pollock stock status and forecast for each fishing zone individually. In some areas of the Sea of Japan, stock surveys showed a slight decrease, so it was recommended to cut a TAC for 2018 in those areas.
Preliminary advice of TAC 2018 will be finalized after fishing season close in 2016, and be reviewed at the cross-institute Scientific-Consulting Board at the beginning of 2017.
TINRO official press release: http://www.tinro-center.ru/home/novosti/mintajderzitsanastabilnomurovne