vn 



• Awareness of the economic and social implications of various allowable 

 yields, both domestically and internationally. 



While this information, if developed, shall provide adequate data upon 

 which to make yield decisions, the threatened status of many marine stocks 

 argues that such information be useful for immediate short-term management 

 decisions. Because the complexities outlined above have great impact upon 

 the design of research programs, and because the immediate needs of stock 

 assessment demand control of such complexities, the pressures to expand ex- 

 isting assessment methodology are great. 



At the same time, however, assessment history has demonstrated that 

 existing methods have not been properly validated , primarily due to inade- 

 quate data, even concerning those species of traditional value to domestic 

 fishermen. Thus, while recognizing the need and pressure to expand present 

 systems, the uncertain nature of such systems in terms of their accuracy 

 speak compel lingly for establishment of priorities within which future re- 

 search programs be established . 



At the same time, the status of stocks— and in fact the primary mo- 

 tivation for extension of jurisdiction-- requires a reduction of fishing 

 pressure to the extent possible, particularly distant-water operations, 

 such that the marine biomass can recover. 



Consequently, this report recommends (Part IV) the following program: 



1. Test the validity of existing assessment methods during a chosen 

 restoration period . 



The major purpose of recent legislation is to promote the conservation 



and restoration of fisheries stocks. During this period, fishing pressure 



