According to the Groundfish Plan Team’s initial review of this year’s pollock survey data both the acoustic survey and the bottom trawl survey, which collect pollock population data throughout the Bering Sea, found more fish than scientists expected. Fisheries stock assessment scientist Jim Ianelli said that though the stocks are improving but they haven’t sky rocketed.
He informed that the number is up from last year. He explained that multiple factors could have helped the stock and potentially the total allowable catch. He also said that the relatively low quota that we had this year in 2010 meant that while we were lowering the fishing mortality on those age classes and allowing those younger age classes to grow and put on body weight and therefore, in addition, they’ll also have opportunities to spawn.
However, he stresses that this is preliminary data and does not mean that this year’s TAC will be higher. The TAC won’t be determined until December. This year’s TAC might also be affected by comments made by independent reviewers of the fishery management strategies and assessment approaches.
