Assessment of the shark stock complex in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands BSAI Chapter 20

The shark complex (Pacific sleeper shark, spiny dogfish, salmon shark, and other/unidentified sharks) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) is assessed on a biennial stock assessment schedule. In even years we present a full stock assessment document. BSAI sharks are a Tier 6 complex with the over fishing limit (OFL) based on maximum historical catch between the years 1997 – 2007 (acceptable biological catch, ABC is 75% of OFL). For this year’s assessment, we present an alternative time series for the estimation of ABC and OFL. Three different time series of catch history are considered: (1) status quo (1997 – 2007), (2) Catch Accounting System (2003 – 2015), and (3) observer restructuring (2013 – 2015). We also evaluate using the maximum and average of the catch over the three time series. We recommend using the maximum catch during the years of modern catch accounting (2003 – 2015) because it is the longest and most representative time series of catch. We recommend that the time frame used for ABC and OFL specifications be monitored by the assessment authors, however, for now we recommend holding the time frame at 2003 – 2015 unless a management or conservation concern arises.