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a given stock is above or below the potential long term annual 

 average yield, and (2) whether the recent U.S. catch is more or 

 less than the share that would be available to the United 

 States under its entitlement. 



The comparison between the recent total catch and the 

 potential annual average indicates whether a stock is being 

 exploited above or below the level thought consistent with 

 long term resource productivity. If above, long term produc- 

 tivity may or may not be threatened depending on the extent 

 of the overage and the length of time catches at such levels 

 are sustained. 



The potential annual yield from the stock represents an 

 average that in any given year or years can be exceeded to 

 some extent, provided the average in the long term is main- 

 tained. Nevertheless, where the recent total catch is signif- 

 icantly above the potential annual average, the TAG under 

 the proposed action might be established at a level lower 

 than the recent total catch in the interest of resource 

 conservation. This action would reduce the supply available 

 to all harvesters in the short term without reference to 

 entitlements. Where the .recent catch from a stock is lower 

 than the potential annual average, opportunities exist for 

 expansion. In some cases this expansion could take place 

 rapidly simply by increasing effort; in others, however, 

 particularly where stock abundance has been affected by past 



