Other highlights from the individual assessments include:
EBS pollock:
Two new years of acoustic data (from 2012 and 2013) collected opportunistically aboard the chartered bottom-trawl survey vessels were processed and included in the assessment analysis
An alternative model configuration using a bottom-trawl survey index that accounts for density-dependent catchability was used.
Bottom trawl survey data from 2012 and 2013 indicate that the 2008 year class is well above average
The mean weight at age of the 2008 year class thus far appears to be the lowest on record as observed in the fishery.
BSAI Pacific cod:
The Council SSC has accepted a split in ABC/TACs between the Aleutian Islands and eastern Bering Sea (prior to 2014 the Pacific cod TAC was managed as combined over these regions)
The shelf survey biomass estimate declined
The assessment model was configured the same as in 2012 but with updated data.
Sablefish:
Abundance indices have dropped from peak levels: the longline survey index is down 20% and other indications (fishery and GOA trawl survey) also indicate declines
Model results show that total biomass has been decreasing since 2003
Spawning biomass had leveled off and is now trending downward
Flatfish:
BSAI Yellowfin sole, the largest component of the flatfish biomass, is estimated to be about 1.5 times above BMSY
The BSAI yellowfin sole trend has been relatively stable and may start increasing due to an above-average 2003 year class. The other BSAI flatfish species assessments were summary updates (ABCs were based mainly on 2012 assessments).
GOA Dover sole and flathead sole were assessed using a new implementation of the stock synthesis framework. A wide range of model configurations are presented in each of these assessments which allowed a more complete treatment of the available data
Rockfish:
The BSAI blackspotted and rougheye rockfish complex is below the B40% estimate
In the GOA, Pacific ocean perch and northern rockfish are increasing based on updated survey data
Further GOA rockfish stock assessment evaluations will be completed in 2014 (due to time limitations that restricted them in 2013)
