•297- 



far below the equilibrium yield curve. Further research is needed to 

 determine the reason for the low catches before an accurate interpretation 

 of the results can be made. For the North Pacific stock, the MSY estimate 

 was 70,000 mt at an optimum effective effort of 13.2 million hooks/5° 

 sauare. This effort seems unreasonably hiqh in light of the maximum of 1.5 

 million hooks/5° square fished through 1975. 



Black marl in- -Because of uncertainties in the data on 

 total catch and the stock structure of black marl in in the Pacific, no 

 attempt was made to fit production models or to estimate MSY for black 

 marl in in any area of the Pacific. The relation between estimated catch 

 and effort (Figure 13) indicated that a reliable production model analysis 

 will require a better accounting of the catches. 



III.B.3. Results of Yield-per-Recruit Analysis 



None available. 

 III.B.4. Results of Spawner/Recruitment Analysis 



None available. 

 III.B.5. Results of Other Analyses/Simulations 



None available. 



III.C. Current Evaluation of Stocks and the Fishery 



Blue marl in- -The declining catch-per-unit-effort and the results of 

 the production model analysis suggest that the Pacific blue marl in stock is 

 being overfished. 



Striped marl in- -On a Pacific-wide basis, the striped marl in stock 

 appears to be in good condition and may be capable of producing increased 

 yields with a modest increase in fishing effort. The outlook for increased 

 yields is better for the North Pacific fishery than for the fishery in the 

 South Pacific, which may be operating at or beyond the level of MSY. 



Black marl in- -While no attempt was made to fit production models or 

 estimate MSY for black marlin stock(s) in the Pacific, the substantial 

 decline in catch rates during the period from the early 1950's to 1975 

 suggests that a very large increase in total catch over levels in the early 

 1976's is probably not sustainable. 



