64 



It has generally been assumed that total catch from Georges Bank has 

 tripled since the 1960s and effort has increased six times J^^^ According 

 to assessment theory, all stocks then must be in danger. Without precise 

 estimates of effort and catch, however, the accuracy of the stock reduction 

 estimate is only general . 



Recognition that foreign vessels were harvesting all species in the 



path of their nets, added to the need to understand the biological founda- 

 tion of all commercial species found on Georges Bank, created the re- 

 quirement to understand interspecies interactions. Whereas previously 

 American vessels concentrated on one or two species, the interspecies 

 direction of foreign fisheries forced assessments to consider the inter- 

 species interactions of the marine ecosystem. While the biological assumptions 

 necessary to understand such interactions may yet be undeveloped, it has been 

 assumed that monitoring single species over time would develop the necessary 

 interactive information.' '' 



However, much of this information depends on adequate catch and effort 

 data. Historically, such data has been insufficient because ICNAF lacked 

 adequate enforcement powers. Extension of jurisdiction now carries the po- 

 tential for good enforcement, and through such enforcement the development 

 of good reliable catch and effort data for the assessment community. 



Consequently, the following needs should be considered: 



• Provision of funding to enforce management decisions relating to 

 allowable yields . 



• Development of a system whereby catch statistics are provided on at 

 least a monthly basis to the assessment community . 



• In order to determine the degree of bycatch (as well as the yield of 

 species that are then reduced to fishmeal). provision of funding to 

 place observers on factory vessels offshore . 



