Second Bigeye Management Workshop

Background:

Drawing on the MP design and updated MSE results presented under Agenda Item 3, BMW02 will seek to reduce the candidate MP set by considering the fisheries/spatial application options and candidate TRPs. SC22 advised BMW02 to keep the number of candidate MPs manageable, including by considering exclusion of candidates that perform similarly across indicators with the rationale clearly documented. The existing range of options produces a large number of fisheries-application/TRP combinations even before alternative HCR shapes are considered (Agenda Item 5), making reduction of the candidate set a critical step before further evaluation.

BMW02 action:

BMW02 should narrow the fisheries/spatial application options and candidate TRPs to a manageable set for further evaluation, clearly identify the options retained or removed and the reasons for doing so, and specify any remaining alternatives and additional MSE evaluations required from the SSP before the Special SC Session and WCPFC23.