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- An increase in survey cruises allows for abundance estimates 

 of more species than at present. Such surveys will provide, 

 over time, data that can be compiled on a controlled basis. This data, 

 in conjunction with specific catch and effort data, will serve 

 to identify the potential accuracy of existing stock assessment 

 methodology, particularly in relation to the need for short- 

 term decisions that must be made in order to revitalize stocks. 



Because marine fishery resources must be restored, initial manage- 

 ment plans will seek to reduce fishing effort to the extent possible so 

 as to allow stocks to recover. Existing stock assessment methodology is 

 sufficient to develop restoration yield estimates, particularly if it 

 is recognized that in cases of doubt yields should be underestimated . 

 Prior to maximal utilization of offshore fishery resources, those resources 

 must be restored to potential levels . As such restoration demands a 

 reduction of fishing effort, the precision of assessments during this 

 interim period must only ensure stock recovery rather than maximum 

 sustainable yields. 



2. During the Initial Restoration Period, Determine the Future Level of 



Precision Required and the Key Indicators Needed to Provide that Level 



• Analysis should immediately determine the differing levels of 

 precision under different management goals. For example, manage- 

 ment that seeks to continue the maximum yield from the presently 

 depleted Georges Bank biomass requires extremely precise information — 

 the technological capacity of fishing fleets exceeds the yield 

 capacity of the resources. Consequently, under this management 

 goal of continued yield, the last available ton must be predicted. 

 While such a goal is a political decision, the stresses it places 

 on existing assessment science are enormous. 



On the other hand, a management goal of resource restoration — under 

 the assumption that the food value of the stocks will only increase 

 in the future, that therefore the maximum stock must be available, 

 and consequently short-term yields must provide for stock abundance 

 increases--reflects both the present level of accuracy of assess- 

 ments and the ability of assessments to presently determine possible 

 restoration yields. 



