Other highlights from the individual assessments include:
EBS pollock:
Acoustic trawl survey data collected over the shelf indicated a return of smaller (~age 2) pollock in the southeast region. This survey also extended into the Russian zone but found proportionally low levels of biomass there relative to the 2012 survey.
Bottom trawl survey data indicated high abundances of 6-year old Pollock, providing added confirmation that the 2008 year class is well above average.
The mean weight at age of the 2008 year class continues to be below-average (based on fishery and survey data).
GOA pollock:
The 2014 biomass estimate for Shelikof Strait is 840,000 t, a 6% decrease from 2013, but is still larger than any other biomass estimate in Shelik of Strait since 1985.
Changes to the assessment model included starting the model in 1970 rather than 1964, removing some earlier less well documented survey data, estimating summer bottom trawl catchability. These were based on recommendations from outside reviews and comments from the SSC and Plan Teams.
BSAI Pacific cod:
Survey biomass was higher again in 2014, continuing an upward trend that began around 2006 and has been sustained by several good year classes. Spawning stock biomass is now estimated to be in the vicinity of B40%
The assessment model was configured the same as in 2011-13 but issues related to survey catchability assumptions continue to be a concern.
Sablefish:
The longline survey abundance index increased 15% from 2013 to 2014 following a 25% decrease from 2011 to 2013.
The 2008 year class showed potential to be above average in previous assessments based on patterns in the age and length compositions.
Spawning biomass has increased from a low of 32% of unfished biomass in 2002 to 35% of unfished biomass projected for 2015, but is trending downward in projections for the near future.
The retrospective pattern has improved relative to past years.
Flatfish:
BSAI Yellowfin sole, the largest component of the flatfish biomass, is estimated to be more than 1.5 times above BMSY. The projected female spawning biomass estimate for 2015 is 644,200 t, which is an 8% increase from the 2014 estimate (594,800 t).
The total stock biomass has been quite stable throughout the 2000s.
BSAI Greenland turbot data showed stable trend based on longline surveys but stock remains below BMSY (~B20%).
Rockfish:
The BSAI blackspotted and rougheye complex stock is below the B40% estimate; concerns over disproportionate area-specific harvest rates have raised awareness, and the complex is being closely monitored.
In the GOA, the Pacific ocean perch assessment included a new approach that incorporates new and historical maturity data within the model.
A consistent approach to survey-averaging for catch-apportionments by area (random-effects time series modeling) was applied to a number of GOA rockfish stocks.
